Thanking Nicole

Nicole Donovan (pictured in the middle), AFC’s long-time bookkeeper, retired this month. As AFC’s longest tenured employee and a vital piece of our team, she took a few moments to reflect on our history and her time with us. We’re deeply grateful for the years of great work Nicole did behind the scenes and will miss her!

With Appreciation -
The AFC sprouted from the best intentions of the Interfaith Satellite Shelter Program (ISSP), which ran from the mid-80’s over a period of 15 years. This was a citizen’s grassroots effort to support the unhoused in Santa Cruz, co-founded by Paul Lee and Herb Schmidt, and facilitated by neighborhood churches. The idea made a lot of sense: local religious centers could extend a hand by loaning out their large fellowship hall facilities to those in need of overnight shelter, supplementing the County’s emergency shelter programs. The ISSP was not without problems, however.  Judy and Tim Hutchison, Jon Showalter, Joel Miller, and Scott Galloway, were determined, but cautious as they proposed a reboot to community leaders throughout 2012.
I was simply at the right place at the right time to be recruited as the organization’s bookkeeper. I only officially worked 10 hours per month, but unofficially, I was enmeshed in the constant chatter of what to do about homelessness. As board membership grew, these faith leaders were tested with divergent visions, and the challenge of building community trust. 
By 2017, the AFC incorporated into a charitable organization, and was now able to contract with the County, risking their independence, but also ensuring a steady income stream. It has been an effective partnership ever since. 
From the festive fundraising galas presented by Judy, Suzanne McLean, and Debbie Bates, and Executive Director, Sam Altis, to assembling a stellar staff, to gratifying stories of helping our participants rise, the AFC has become an essential component of our County’s social safety net.  I will treasure my time here, and take pride in the impact that the AFC has had on our community, the partnerships we have strengthened, and trust we have cultivated among friends. 
Stay Classy AFC!