FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Judi Golemba, (773)489-9081 ext. 221, jgolemba@cawc.org
Chicago, IL, August 7, 2024 – The Board of Directors of Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC) is pleased to announce and welcome Arshele Stevens as the new Executive Director.
After a dedicated nationwide search with careful consideration towards organizational expertise and a deep passion for the mission, the Board of Directors confidently selected Arshele Stevens as the new leader of CAWC.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Arshele Stevens as the new Executive Director. Stevens brings a wealth of leadership experience and a strong commitment to the mission of ending domestic violence,” said Ada Dolph, President of CAWC’s Board of Directors.
Meet Arshele Stevens
Arshele Stevens joins CAWC with a tireless spirit and a breadth of executive leadership experience well-tailored to the many arching principles that define the organization’s mission and work. As a seasoned executive, Stevens built a strong work ethic in institutional advancement, program development, operational efficiency and advocacy. Stevens’ dedication to social impact is represented through two decades of experience in supporting vulnerable populations.
Her distinguished career includes serving as the President of Kennedy-King College where she championed initiatives to support students from diverse backgrounds in achieving their graduation goals with culturally appropriate services and programs. As the Founding Chief Executive Officer for Girls Inc. of Chicago, Stevens established and grew the organization, focusing on empowering girls through educational, emotional, and trauma-informed support to thrive. During her time as the Senior Vice President of Children, Youth, and Families at Catholic Charities of Chicago, Stevens spearheaded the vast programming needed to empower families and youth through personal and societal challenges including domestic violence, parenting, and immigration.
“I am honored to join CAWC as a leader for the fierce advocates who work with us and continue the organization’s historical footprint in making connections for survivors of domestic violence across the city of Chicago and the state. CAWC has supported victims and survivors for over 45 years, and I look forward to growing such an established reputation as we look towards the future and what it means to make a real impact in disrupting domestic violence,” said Stevens about her joining CAWC.
The Board thanks Development Director Judi Golemba for stepping into the role of Interim Executive Director. Golemba’s adaptability and readiness to take on extensive leadership was greatly appreciated and supportive.
The Board also thanks the Search Committee Chair Margaret Jones and other committee members for their dedication throughout the search process. Jones’ institutional knowledge and the members’ dedication to CAWC’s future ensured they selected an exemplary candidate.
Stevens’ start date was Thursday, August 1st.
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CAWC
CAWC is committed to ending domestic violence. Using a self-help, empowerment approach, CAWC provides a shelter for adults and children, counseling, legal advocacy, and a 24-hour hotline for people affected by domestic violence. CAWC works for social change through education, service collaboration, and institutional advocacy.
In 1977, CAWC established the first domestic violence hotline in the city of Chicago and opened the first shelter for battered women and their children, Greenhouse Shelter, in 1979. With a long history of service and advocacy for abused women and their children over the years, CAWC has evolved in response to changing needs, focusing on client-based services that are both trauma-informed and trauma-sensitive. CAWC is also known throughout Chicago for its emphasis on bi-cultural, bilingual services.
Learn more about CAWC at www.cawc.org/about.