After five years as the executive director for the Help Office, Woody Woodward has announced his retirement.
Woodward retired from Boy Scouts of America in 2013 and moved from Memphis to Owensboro, where his wife is originally from.
While attending their church, Settle Memorial Methodist, a parishioner mentioned there was a vacancy in the directorship of the Help Office of Owensboro, Inc. Two months into his retirement, Woodward began thinking about it.
Growing up in a household that believed that service to others was important and motivated by his wife and family, Woodward came out of retirement to inquire about the position.
“I think it is in my DNA to serve,” Woodward said of his father’s military service. “It feels good to help others.”
Woodward began researching the Help Office on the internet, but there wasn’t much there. The more Woodward tried to find out about the organization, the more he knew he could help.
“It was in the Stone Age in terms of public relations,” Woodward said. “There wasn’t even wifi in the office building.”
Touting his prior service experience and knowledge in fundraising and communications, Woodward approached the chairman of the search committee to lead the organization founded by a group of churches, people and clergy in 1972. He was hired as Executive Director in January 2014.
“I had no expectations for how long I would stay,” Woodward said. “I was learning on the fly.”
Woodward was impressed immediately with the volunteers at the Help Office. With a staff of three part-time employees and over 100 volunteers each week, with most having a 10-year tenure, Woodward said he thinks the world could be changed if every person was required to take a tour of the Help Office.
“The work we do, in such a concise manner in the few hours we are open each day is incredible,” Woodward said. “Many miracles happen every day.”
Open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, the Help Office has three functions — food assistance, clothing assistance and emergency assistance.
The nonprofits major assistance is through its food pantry of donated canned goods and pantry items. Refrigerated items are purchased by the Help Office through church and civic clubs donations, grants and foundation support. Assistance is offered once every 30 days per household. Last year, the organization served over 6,800 clients and distributed over 81,000 meals, Woodward said.
People can come each week for clothing assistance from the Help Office’s clothes closet that stocks clothing in sizes from infant to adult.
The final assistance is emergency assistance, which provides help on a short term basis, Woodward said. This includes transportation, utilities, rent, medical referrals and temporary employee referrals.
“We help keep people in their homes and keep the lights on,” Woodward said of financial aid for each of those situations.
Woodward said he sees on a daily basis what the Help Office does and how it can change peoples’ lives. Partnering with other organizations, such as Christian Dental and the Lions Club, Help Office clients are able to seek treatment for life-long conditions.
“It is all done in a caring, Christian environment,” Woodward said.
Woodward’s office faces the entrance to the building and the wall is entirely windows, which offers him a unique perspective.
“I see people come into the building with their shoulders slumped, head down,” Woodward said. “And because someone cared, someone listened. I see them leave with their head up. No telling how many ‘no’s’ they heard [over time]. We like to say ‘yes.’”
Woodward said he often wonders where their clients would go if they weren’t there because there is no other places that offers as many services under one roof. He said that for someone who has just been released from jail, the Help Office is often their first stop.
In order to get a government check or work paycheck, the individual has to have a bank account. In order to have a bank account, he has to have an I.D. card. This is one of the many services the Help Office provides to those starting out. They also offer food and homeless bags for those who have not secured housing.
“We are here for those who have hit rock bottom — we see them through rehabilitation, a fire, a lost spouse,” Woodward said. “We have a lot of success stories.”
One of those stories that touched Woodward was a woman who was about to be evicted with her two children from public housing. The Help Office helped her stay in her house and, as Woodward repeated, listened to her, cared for her.
“She took the time to write us a note and included a $25 gift card for Walmart,” Woodward said. “She didn’t have that kind of money, but it lets us know how much she appreciated the help.”
Woodward said his retirement is only for his second act and that there are more acts to come. He has already taken a board position for an organization that provides aid to homeless boys in Kenya. He plans to travel more with his wife and have the freedom to play more golf in the morning hours.
“I have a loyal group of friends who have waited,” Woodward said of his afternoon tee times.
Woodward’s exit will take the form of a going-away party that will be held at Settle Memorial Church on July 26 at 12:30 p.m., something he said he is only participating in to thank the donors and supporters of the Help Office. He would prefer to “go quietly.”
Hoping that his legacy will be that he has left the Help Office better than he found it and made inroads that allow people to know the Help Office exists, Woodward believes he has set a good foundation.
“I had a long-range plan when I was hired and I have achieved all 10 items [on the plan]. It feels good,” Woodward said.
Viewing himself as a builder rather than a maintainer, Woodward said that now is the time for the new builder, Angela Settle to take the helm August 1.
Woodward praised the Owensboro community’s generosity, something he believes he is able to do more aptly as he has lived in other places.
“If we can get young people involved, that is always a good thing,” Woodward said. “We are grateful and appreciate the support we receive.”
The Help Office of Owensboro, Inc. is located at 1316 West 4th St.
