Dallas, Texas (Jan. 27,
2015) – Metro Dallas Homeless
Alliance (MDHA), an association of organizations devoted to ending homelessness
in Dallas and Collin Counties, announces today that Cindy Crain will join as
its new president and CEO effective March 1, 2015.
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| Cindy Crain |
Previously,
Crain served for seven years as executive director of Tarrant County Homeless
Coalition (TCHC) where she earned broad acclaim for radically transforming the
organization’s operations and tackling homelessness in Tarrant County.
While there, she led efforts to improve the central database used by more than
30 human services organizations to provide real-time knowledge of clients and
shelters and more accurately match the needs of homeless persons with the most
appropriate housing intervention. Recognizing case managers as being the most
critical yet often under-supported person in leading someone in crisis to a
life of stability, dignity and self-sufficiency, Crain also developed and
implemented an extensive year-round training and recognition program for case
managers assuring access to at least 15 continuing education credits for social
work licensure. During Crain's tenure at TCHC, the agency grew from
one person to nine and from just over $100,000 to $1.4 million annually to
provide extensive services to agencies serving the homeless.
Larry James, president and CEO of CitySquare, MDHA board member,
and Dallas Mayor Rawlings’ appointed leader of the city’s poverty task force,
spearheaded search efforts that ultimately led to Crain.
“In
our three-month search process, we were encouraged to see such a large
pool of qualified candidates interested in leading Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance,”
said James. “The organization has
made significant progress over the past few years in reducing chronic homelessness.
With our goal to end homelessness in Dallas and Collin Counties,
it did not take long for us to realize that Cindy Crain is the perfect person
for this job.”
Britton Banowsky, Commissioner of Conference USA and MDHA Board
Chair, echoed sentiments about Crain leading homelessness efforts in Dallas and
Collin counties.
"We
are excited and so fortunate to have Cindy Crain lead our efforts to address
homelessness in our community. She is a nationally recognized expert and proven
leader in her field. She is also a wonderful and compassionate person. There is
no doubt she will make an amazing positive impact to the organization, and in
the lives of countless people throughout North Texas
in the years ahead," said Banowsky
Before
joining TCHC in 2004, Crain worked in Tarrant
County and the City of Fort Worth. She holds a Master
of Public Administration degree as a Graduate Fellow from the Maxwell School of
Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse
University and a Bachelor of Business
Administration degree from Texas
Christian University.
Crain succeeds
former MDHA president and CEO Michael Faenza who announced his retirement
October 2014 and consulted with the organization until January 1, 2015.
About MDHA: The
Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA) is an association of organizations
devoted to ending homelessness in Dallas and Collin Counties,
by putting people into homes. It facilitates over $16.8 million of annual
federal funding, coordinates services, and drives improvement in more than 40
different transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive
housing programs. Since 2004, MDHA has overseen a reduction of 65% in chronic
homelessness, and an increase of 1200% in permanent supportive housing units.
It improved homeless housing program performance by 30% in just the last three
years. Finally, it launched and operated The Bridge, a $28 million intake
center for those experiencing homelessness, before spinning it off as a
separate non-profit. It is committed to ending veteran homelessness and chronic
homelessness in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
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