Petition to reinstate Julie Silverman as Director of AmeriCorps Partnership to End Homelessness

Dear Past and Present AmeriCorps Partners, The Servant Center’s Board of Directors has received correspondence sharing support for and requesting the reinstatement of Julie Silverman as The Servant Center’s Director of the AmeriCorps Partnership to End Homelessness program. We want to re-assure you that it is the Board’s and management’s top priority to ensure that the AmeriCorps program will continue to provide valuable experiences for members and service to the community as it has the last 11 years. We acknowledge and appreciate your thoughts on this matter and hope you understand we are not at liberty to discuss personnel matters. We want you to know that the decision was not made lightly, was based on Servant Center policy and was made in consultation with the Board and an HR Consultant. This decision was made properly and is in the best interest of The Servant Center. Again, we appreciate your feedback and thank you for providing much needed services to those experiencing and at-risk for homelessness in our community. Sincerely, The Servant Center’s Board of Directors Kevin Hoppens, Board Chair Bill Trivette, Board Vice Chair E. Dave Jenkins, Board Treasurer Susan Lowe, Board Secretary

Julie is hands down one of the best leaders I have ever worked for. She is organized, comoassionate and ready for whatever comes her way.

Julie Silverman is genuinely one of the best supervisors I have ever had. Julie has always gone above and beyond what was asked or required of her to take care of us AmeriCorps members. Julie being my supervisor is something that I’ve honestly considered as a “perk” of being in AmeriCorps. She’s extremely caring, kind, professional, ethical, and always ensures that the job is done.

I am very disappointed to hear about the dismissal of Julie. Having briefly served as an AmeriCorps member in the same building as her, I can attest to the dedication, selflessness and drive she put into the program. There were numerous cases where she spent her own money on members, staff and volunteers when she didn't have to. When I was struggling to pay bills as an AmeriCorp member - she did everything she could to promote my emotional well being while simultaneously advocating for better treatment of AmeriCorp members. This is woman who truly cares for other humans and I am shocked by the apathy she is being met with. I strongly urge the board to reconsider. Partnership to End Homelessness will not survive without her. She is the life blood.

Julie Silverman is a hero. She is one of the most loving, hard working, and talented people I have ever met. She is an exceptional leader and person. AmeriCorps Year 2017

Having worked with Julie in the past in various capacities, I had the chance to directly witness her ability to not only lead the Partnerships to End Homelessness AmeriCorps program well but to do it selflesly and with so much passion. Julie is a huge asset to this organization and not having her as a part of that team would be a huge institutional loss and a destabilizing force to current and future members.

Julie is an amazing mentor whose support and encouragement helped me become better, both personally and professionally. I feel privileged to have served our community with her and hope many others will continue to have the opportunity.

AmeriCorps Partnership to End Homelessness Member 2016-2017

Julie was an amazing, supportive, accommodating director that I was lucky to serve our community with. AmeriCorps Partnership to End Homelessness is what it is because of Julie Silverman and she deserves to keep her position

Julie's leadership and guidance helped me get a promotion. She is a true leader and deserves her job back.

Julie is by far one of the most thoughtful human beings I know. She has a true desire to make the world a better place and has touched the lives of so many through AmeriCorps. Without Julie, thus program will certainly change for the worse.

AmeriCorps year 2016-2017

Based on my observations of Julie: she is a true mentor and leads by example. She is selfless and thoughtful always looking out for people when ill. She is kind but firm and fair with regards to holding people accountable.

I served with AmeriCorps: Partnership to End Homelessness during 2017-2018 and can attest to the fact that Julie made the experience worthwhile. I have always felt a warm heart and spirit from her since day one. I was able to fully take in what it meant to be in AmeriCorps because of her leadership and navigation. Which helped me to move on to a position with the site I served at, Greensboro Urban Ministry. I have also seen firsthand, the faces of all the AmeriCorps volunteers that have been after me to serve at Greensboro Urban Ministry, light up in happiness when Julie comes to see them. And I too, without hesitation, always share in that happiness as well! Please consider restoring Julie’s role as a director, inspiration, leader, and kind heart for the Partnership To End Homelessness. It is through people like her that people like me can turn a concern into actual actions, accesses, and connections so that that mission can possibly truly be carried out!

Julie pours her heart and soul to the work she does with Americorps. This is my second year with Americorps and I’ve never met someone so invested in her work and so organized, who pays attention to detail.

Bring our leader back, she is awesome and very supportive. Letting her go is a disservice to us all. We love her.

Frankly, I'm surprised to learn about the recent dismissal of Julie Silverman as Director. Julie interviewed me as a first step to becoming a member of AmeriCorps and from that day forward, I was impressed with her professionalism, and attention to the mundane details as well as the overarching values of her role. Not knowing the reasons behind this action leaves me with no real basis for questioning your decision other than my personal experience with her. It was an excellent experience. Robert DeFilippis

I have been with AmeriCorps, the Partnership to End Homelessness for two terms. Julie works hard at maintaining excellent communication and a sense of community among our diverse group. She goes above and beyond professionally to support AmeriCorps members, and I cannot imagine a justifiable reason for her being removed from her position.

Julie is by far the reason why our group is as tight knit as it is. We all work together to end homelessness and Julie is vital in our combined efforts.

Allison Hellenbrand (formerly Crook), 2016-17