Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry has selected a longtime Waynesboro resident to lead the ministry and cold-weather shelter as executive director.
Alec Gunn, 51, began his duties at WARM on July 22.
Gunn replaces Brian Edwards, who stepped up to serve as the acting director until an executive director was hired. Edwards remains the board chairperson.
Gunn has a 17-year career in education and counseling with experience in leadership and community outreach in the Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro area.
Gunn worked in public education and was Commandant at Fishburne Military School. His work at FMS was followed by working as the program counseling coordinator at New Directions Center in Staunton.
Gunn also will continue in his role offering counseling and outreach at New Valley Church in Waynesboro and will maintain his private counseling practice.
“Alec Gunn is everything whom the WARM Board was looking for in its new leader,” said Brian Edwards, WARM board chairperson and acting executive director. “The depth of knowledge and skill that was evident to the Board at the start of our hiring process was none that we had seen before.
“His resume speaks for itself, but what is not conveyed on paper is that Alec is a community icon. He knows everyone.”
Edwards has personally known Gunn since he worked as a teacher at Kate Collins Middle School in 2007.
“Alec was the blessing that we have been praying to find over the last two years. God led Alec to WARM and WARM to Alec at such a critical time in the life of our ministries,” said Edwards. “With scarce affordable housing and homelessness not abating, WARM needed someone who could lead WARM in our next 10 years.”
At WARM, Alec will oversee the non-profit’s three ministries that have been operating since 2014:
- The Ruth Van Cleve Anderson WARM House for Women & Children: A shelter that offers transitional housing to mothers and their children along with courses and counselling in life skills
- The Cold Weather Shelter: Ministry offers emergency shelter during the coldest months of the year to unsheltered men and women
- WARM Outreach: Ministry provides necessities such as food and water, transportation, tents and clothing during the CWS off season.
For more information on WARM, visit warmwaynesboro.org
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Crystal Graham
