The Board of Directors for Emergency Shelter Services has announced an outstanding fundraising performance and the appointment of long-time champion of Berrien County’s Homeless population, Reshella Hawkins, as Executive Director. ESS tells us the full story:
The Board of Directors for Emergency Shelter Services (ESS) is excited to announce the appointment of Reshella Allen-Hawkins as Executive Director. Reshella has tirelessly served the organization since 1998, bringing excitement, stability, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere to the agency.
Reshella is a Benton Harbor native and proud member of the graduating class of 1991 at Benton Harbor High School (BHHS). She attended Lake Michigan College where she majored in Early Childhood Education. After joining the ESS team in 1998, she began the role of administrative assistant where she grew to understand, in great depth, the need for affordable housing and resources for families experiencing housing insecurities. Reshella has shown great commitment and dedication to the community through service via her local church, Victorious Life Christian Center in Benton Harbor, where her husband of twenty-three years is Pastor. Pastor Hawkins and Reshella have four children and one adorable granddaughter.
Reshella says, “I appreciate the Board’s confidence in me and am grateful for the opportunity to lead such an amazing organization. After serving for over twenty-three years, I’ve seen the resiliency within the agency. I truly believe that moving forward the best is yet to come!”
On the heels of announcing a new Executive Director, Emergency Shelter Services completed their first annual “Love your Shelter” campaign, which aimed to raise $50,000 to rebuild the family shelter, responsible for housing hundreds of Berrien County residents each year. Through the generous donations of the community and a $4 for every $1 raised grant match from four local foundations — The Berrien Community Foundation, Hanson Family Foundation, Frederick S. Upton Foundation and Felland Fund — ESS doubled their goal by raising just over $100k. The money will go toward foundational updates for the shelter, including repairs like flooring and plumbing, kitchen & bath updates, and windows.
“Reshella has been a fantastic partner to and breath of fresh air for the board. This past fundraising campaign is just another example of the great value she brings to both ESS and the respect she has in the broader community. We are thrilled to have her officially take on the role of Executive Director.” – Rob Burgess, Board Member|
While the fundraiser is no longer running, you can still donate to ESS at essberrien.org/donate.
