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| Outgoing President and CEO of Catholic Charities of Madison Jackson Fonder, far right, during a 2019 check presentation from Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison to support The Beacon. The Beacon, operated by Catholic Charities, is a comprehensive day resource center for people who are experiencing homelessness in Dane County which Fonder called the top effort that happened during his time at Catholic Charities. Also pictured, from left, are: Michael Moody, The Beacon’s community and partner relations specialist, and John Adams, The Beacon’s program director. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) |
MADISON — A familiar figure in the important work of helping others in the Diocese of Madison is moving on to the next part of his life journey.
“I think it goes by fast because you’re not really tracking it, you’re having the time of your life, you feel like you’re making a difference, and you’re working around really smart people,” said Jackson Fonder, whose time as president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Madison is coming to an end on October 1.
After more than eight years leading the work of Catholic Charities, Fonder will become the CEO at UMOM New Day Centers in Phoenix, Ariz. — a nonprofit focused on preventing and ending homelessness.
Reflecting upon the timing of his decision in the middle of a pandemic, Fonder said that, “These are odd times, that’s for sure, but we’re in the kind of business where the pandemic might force a lot of us to stop . . . but the pandemic can’t slow Catholic Charities down.”
He added that, “[These] are the moments that make you extra proud when you look around your organization and you’re watching these men and women step up to levels that they’ve never seen before and perform at such high levels. It’s amazing. We’ve got some good people.”
Proudest accomplishments
When looking back at the efforts Catholic Charities has made in the Madison area the past more than eight years, Fonder gave a lot of credit to those “good people”.
At the top of his list of “areas where we’ve stepped up and expanded and grown around the community to serve at a higher level” was The Beacon — Madison’s day homeless resource center.
“That was new territory for Catholic Charities,” Fonder said.
“I think about the team that we put in place,” he added, including Program Director John Adams, Community and Partner Relations Specialist Michael Moody, Lead Guest Service Specialist Joel Girard, Reception Manager and Guest Service Specialist Nici Hawkins, and Lead Family Service Specialist Vicky Thorton.
Fonder said that team was hired on day one and are still there three years later making a “difference in this community.”
He added that those people, along with other staff and countless volunteers are “so critical to the success of The Beacon.”
Fonder also acknowledged Director of Family Programs Jerilyn Robinson and her work to provide mental health counselors to area schools.
“Jerilyn and her staff have put together a program that is the envy of many other non-profits,” said Fonder, calling it remarkable the amount of public and private schools, especially in Dane County, that they are able to serve.
Fonder also recognized Program Director Mary Haberman-Laesch and her team at 5 Door Recovery in Madison, the new facility to help people recover from addictions, continuing decades of service Catholic Charities has provided in that area.
Fonder noted that Catholic Charities had been trying to get the new facility built “since forever”.
He called it great, “To have that come through in the middle of a pandemic and look as good as it does and do the kind of good work that it does.”
The expansion of All Saints Neighborhood in Madison is another accomplishment that happened during Fonder’s time.
He called the $20 million project a “doozie”.
The most recent project added new senior apartments, a new assisted living facility, a new memory care facility, and a “stunning” chapel, in Fonder’s word.
He credited many partnerships with making the large project happen.
“Phenomenal” was the word he used to describe ElderSpan Management, who manages the facilities.
“They are quite a steward of our assets,” Fonder said, referring to the property and the residents living there.
“[All Saints] is the bar by which all senior campuses are compared against in Dane County,” he added.
He also credited Horizon who built the project and A2K — the architect.
He called them all “key partnerships.”
“If you don’t have that, you don’t get that done,” Fonder said.
Reflection and gratitude
“I just love this community and I love what Catholic Charities represents,” said Fonder.
He is thankful for “Having the privilege to work alongside talented people and to put together meaningful partnerships, to move the needle on things. Having all of those people in my life.”
“They’re a part of my journey and I’ve learned an unbelievable amount from all of them,” he added.
“I’ve learned way more from them than they probably learned from me.”
Looking ahead to his next opportunity in Arizona, Fonder said, “I like being at the table when you’re talking about solving community problems.”
He added that, “Having the opportunity to work with a great organization that deals with one of the number one issues of the day, that gets me pretty excited, that gets my energy going”.
New leader search
The Catholic Charities of Madison Board of Directors’ Executive Committee has appointed Tom Merfeld as interim CEO.
He served on the board of directors for seven years, including as board chair in 2015 and 2016.
Merfeld recently retired as chief financial officer of CUNA Mutual Group.
The board of directors, supported by an executive recruiting firm, is beginning a nationwide search to hire the next CEO.