A few weeks ago, in an editorial, Windy City Times called for sweeping changes at Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC), in order for the agency to more cleanly move forward and move past the financial problems documented in numerous news articles over the past several months.
HBHC had already ousted most of its staff leadership, but many of the board members who were in place during the problem years are still serving. Last week, HBHC announced that by the middle of 2011, all board members who were in place prior to this year will be gone.
This is a huge step in the right direction for this important Chicago LGBT agency.
After the announcement, I sat down with Jamal Edwards, HBHC's new CEO, to discuss the future of the clinic and its past. Edwards had served a few weeks on the board earlier this year before assuming the CEO post. The law firm he had worked for was HBHC's legal representative, and Edwards had some familiarity with the agency prior to stepping into one big hot mess.
Edwards and his new executive team have no easy tasks in front of them. But as Windy City Times has said, their most important tasks include not just fundraising to keep the agency alive, but communicating their message in a transparent and honest way. HBHC has been plagued by a culture of secrecy that has served no one, least of all its clients and donors. Edwards has promised a new era of honesty not just with the community, but also with his own staff. So far, that seems to be happening.
And this new approach also seems to be working on a larger scale. The agency has achieved more than 80 percent of its goal of raising $500,000 in 50 days. The lifeline appeal ends Dec. 23 with a community celebration, and there is no doubt they will meet, or come very close to meeting, this high target goal to keep the agency alive. Along the way, they have picked up support from the grassroots, in mostly small donations, proving that the agency is still an important part of the community.
Part of the new leadership's burden is that some in the community want more answers about what went wrong before, and want accountability for those who were in charge. Edwards said his own focus in on keeping the agency alive, and thriving into the future. However, government inspectors are still investigating the past problems, and should provide at least some answers for the community. Knowing what happened in clearer terms will increase accountability and vigilance and perhaps ensure that history does not repeat itself.
I am impressed with what HBHC has done so far to address the community's concerns. It is an important legacy organization with more than 200 staff, serving 36,000 clients a year. Having seen the agency react badly to past controversies, I have to say this time they are on the right track. They are listening to their critics, and they are especially listening to their staff and clients.
While things appear positive, there will be many difficult times ahead. If HBHC, Edwards and his team can continue to be transparent and honest with the community, they will continue to deserve our support. If you are in a position to help them reach this initial fundraising goal, please do so—for the sake of their clients, and our community.
