Abilene Hope Haven names new executive director

Bisson

Abilene Hope Haven will have a new executive director come July 2.

Katherine Bisson, currently director of housing programs for Hope Haven, was selected by the nonprofit's board of directors to take over operations.

"I am excited about facilitating growth and improving performance among our programs," Bisson said in a news release. "In addition, with Home Again West Texas (Abilene's coordinated entry system) in place and the 100-Day Challenge having just ended, it is the ideal time to continue to fuel that momentum. We are able to better inspire hope in our neighbors and one another when we are collaborating with one another."

Abilene Hope Haven, 801 S. Treadaway Blvd., works with the city's homeless population, providing shelter through its Bridge 2 Home and Hope Housing Services programs, according to its website, abilenehopehaven.org

Bisson is a graduate of Abilene Christian University, where she received her master's of social work. She received her bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University.

She has a longstanding passion for serving people, the news release said, with previous experience working as a drop-out prevention program specialist for Communities in Schools and working with delinquent youth at Youthworks.

Abilene Hope Haven board chairman Ben Grant said Bisson is the ideal person to lead the organization’s efforts to serve our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

"(Her) passion for achieving our mission to inspire hope in our neighbors experiencing homelessness is strong and will be an amazing asset to our organization," Grant said in the news release. "We know that Abilene Hope Haven will benefit greatly from (her) leadership and look forward to many, many years of growth and success in Abilene."

A meet-and-greet with Bisson is scheduled for 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Community Foundation of Abilene headquarters, 850 N. First St.

She succeeds Executive Director John Cooper.