Hopelink Hires New President and CEO

Since 2001, Ms. Mason-Plunkett has led People for People, a community-supported broad-based social services agency whose mission is similar to Hopelink’s in that it helps people transition to self-sufficiency. People for People provides employment and training to economically disadvantaged adults and dislocated workers in Yakima and Kittitas counties.  The organization works with employers who have job openings and provides transportation to those with special needs, and brokers transportation and interpreter services for the broader community. People for People also operates the 2-1-1 information and referral call center for people in crisis in five counties in central Washington. During her tenure, Ms. Mason-Plunkett was instrumental in acquiring funds to expand various People for People services. Prior to People for People, Ms. Mason-Plunkett was Vice President of Business Development for Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health in Yakima.
 
Ms. Mason-Plunkett has been president for the past two years of the Community Transportation Association of the Northwest, a regional trade organization representing community transportation providers, and was appointed by Gov. Gary Locke to the Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation, representing special needs transportation. She holds J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of New Mexico, as well as an M.S. degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seattle Pacific University.

“We conducted a rigorous national search for Doreen’s replacement, looking for the right combination of experience and skills to help us plan for the organization’s next 35 years of service,” said Hopelink board president Leah McCollough. “We were impressed with the credentials of all the candidates, but Marilyn’s broad and deep background put her at the top of our list. We are excited about what Marilyn brings to Hopelink.”

Under Doreen Marchione’s leadership, Hopelink has grown from an agency helping 20,000 citizens annually, to working with more than 50,000 residents in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, and has expanded its operating budget from $9 million to $40 million.  With Ms. Marchione’s guidance, the agency has become extremely efficient with 92% of all funds raised going directly to service clients. She has led the agency through a capital campaign and the construction of three new facilities, as well as the addition of a number of new programs, including child development and family development, and the merger in 2001 with Eastside Literacy Council.

About Hopelink
Since 1971, Hopelink has served homeless and low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities in north and east King County by promoting self-sufficiency for all members of our community and helping people make lasting change. Hopelink assists people with meeting their needs for food, shelter, homelessness prevention, child development, family development and stabilization, transportation and adult literacy skills. For more information on Hopelink and its services, call 425.869.6000 or visit www.hope-link.org.

Media Contacts
Denise Stephens, Public Relations Specialist, office: 425.869.2440, denises@hope-link.org
Glen Miller, Communications Manager, office: 425.869.6025, cell: 206.790.5410, glenm@hope-link.org