PEPS Unplugged
~ By Laura Kussick, PEPS Executive Director
There have been a lot of changes here at the PEPS office, which have resulted in many new faces and busy transitions!
Our tireless leader and Executive Director, Harry Hoffman, departed from PEPS in March of 2009 to return to non-profit work in the field of Affordable Housing. Harry provided great leadership and stability to PEPS for two years. We are tremendously thankful for the time and passion he gave PEPS, and we wish him luck in his new endeavors.
Laura (LB), her husband Steve
with Emily (10) and Jack (13):
As the new Executive Director of PEPS, I couldn’t be more thrilled to be here. My life was first touched by PEPS 13 years ago with the birth of my son, who is now a teenager asserting his independence! I continue to look to my PEPS group for support during challenging parenting times, significant milestones, and joyous occasions! I have 18 years of experience working in Seattle in the for-profit sector, and many, many hours and years of experience as a volunteer and leader to many non-profit organizations. I am excited to be working with the PEPS community at large, the wonderful PEPS Board of Directors, and the dedicated PEPS staff and volunteers. As a team we can tackle these challenging times and we will!
Additionally, our long-time Program Manager, Mary Gentry, left PEPS this September to take a full time teaching position at Seattle Central Community College. We would have to devote an entire newsletter to Mary’s accomplishments. To name a few , Mary was instrumental in building on our newborn program model, thereby creating a way for us to reach out to parents with older babies and parents with two children. The Baby Peppers and Little Peppers programs continue to be great successes.
Mary was also instrumental in helping us find our next leader for all of our programming efforts. 
Janelle Durham has joined PEPS as our new Program Associate and will be in charge of continuing and growing our current programs, generating new partnerships to expand our reach and to serve more families, and updating our curriculum so that PEPS is always current and relevant to new parents. Janelle joined the PEPS community 15 years ago with the birth of her first daughter and has been involved with PEPS ever since as a volunteer, a leader, a developer and writer of curricula, and much more! Janelle brings a huge range of experience coaching and mentoring parents during the transition to parenthood!
Janelle, her husband Peter with daughters
Izzy (12) and Amelia (16)
Like all non-profit organizations, PEPS is being challenged by the current economic environment to increase efficiencies and look for non traditional ways of supporting our important work, while meeting the demands of more families who seek our services. That’s why we look to our most passionate PEPS supporters to help us bridge the gap in these difficult times. As a PEPS community member you are in the best possible position to determine the true value of PEPS, to look at the impact it’s had on your own life and parenting experience, and to make an investment which ensures future generations of new parents will be able to follow in your footsteps and experience the many benefits of PEPS.
I’d like to encourage you to consider a year-end gift to PEPS and thus help us continue being the safety net and lifeline for many parents and new families in this area. During this holiday season:/ Why not ask for a donation toward a PEPS scholarship in honor of you, instead of a gift for yourself or your family? Why not make a donation toward a PEPS scholarship in honor of your friend, neighbor, PEPS Group, PEPS Group leader, family member, instead of shopping in crowded malls?
Your joyful gift, no matter how small or large, is an incredible investment in our most precious natural resource: our families and children. Click here for more information and how to donate!
Gratefully yours and many wishes for a fulfilling holiday season 2009.
Laura Kussick
Laurak@pepsgroup.org
206-547-8570 ext. 25
PS: We always look forward to feedback as to how we can do a better job and serve more families in the Puget Sound area. Please never hesitate to call or e-mail me with your suggestions or to tell us about a great PEPS story that we can share!
