Gail Kielson, President of the Board of Directors of Safe Passage, announced today that Safe Passage has selected La Wanza Lett-Brewington to serve as the organization's new Executive Director, effective October 3. Safe Passage is a Northampton-based agency providing shelter and community support and advocacy for women and children who have experienced domestic violence.

In announcing the selection of Lett-Brewington, Kielson said "Safe Passage is very excited to have found a new leader who is a strong voice for social justice in the region and who will build upon our established programs in advocacy, counseling, shelter, and legal assistance."

Ms. Lett-Brewington comes to Safe Passage having most recently served as the Director of Five College Consortium Violence Prevention Project at the Everywoman's Center at UMass. Previously. Lett-Brewington served as Director of Community Education at the Everywoman's Center. She has extensive experience in agencies addressing violence against women in Hampshire and Franklin counties, having also served as Director of Shelter Programs for New England Learning Center for Women in Transition (NELCWIT). Ms. Lett-Brewington said, "domestic violence is not just a 'woman's issue.' When someone is hurt, it affects our community as a whole. My goal as Executive Director will be to raise awareness and work towards the prevention of domestic violence so that together we can meet Safe Passage's mission to create a community where violence is not the answer."

Ms. Lett-Brewington, who holds a BA and M.Ed. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, was a member of the Governor's Commission on Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence. Board President Gail Kielson noted, "La Wanza's experience at the state level will help Safe
Passage to continue our efforts to bring more visibility to the issue of domestic violence and to advocate for more state funding to appropriately address victim support and prevention programs in communities throughout Hampshire County."

Safe Passage's Executive Director Search Committee included members of the organization's board and staff as well as participants from the community. The committee, which met throughout the summer and conducted interviews in August and early September, received support from Florence-based consultant Dan Kirsch who advises non-profit organizations on fundraising, executive searches and management.

Kielson co-chaired the search with Safe Passage board member, BethAnn Albro-Fisher. Kielson thanked everyone involved with the search and noted, "Safe Passage is grateful to the entire Search Committee for their commitment and input throughout the entire process."

Ms. Lett-Brewington succeeds Marian Kent, who was Safe Passage's Executive Director from 2004 until June 2007. Ms. Lett-Brewington will join Safe Passage in time to oversee the organization's signature community event, Mayor Higgins' Hot Chocolate Run, a 5K run and 2-mile walk on December 1, 2007, in downtown Northampton.

Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007

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