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Deputy Director Julie Gentry to retire on February 28th
Julie Gentry, long-time Deputy Director for Help, Incorporated: Center Against Violence will be retiring from the agency effective March 1, 2023. Gentry has been employed by the agency since June 9, 1997 beginning as the Administrative Assistant. The position was expanded to include Client Case Coordinator duties a year later, and then Gentry was placed over the agency’s resale shops in October, 1999. Progressively, Gentry continued to advance to more challenging and varied roles, including Financial Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, and Displaced Homemakers Program Coordinator. She was trained in forensic interviewing and as an Incredible Years Parenting Education Facilitator. In 2004, Gentry accepted the role of Deputy Director, becoming responsible for financial oversight and management under the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors, as well as a partner to the Executive Director in agency programmatic direction and operations.
Help Incorporated is a 45-year-old non-profit agency that has been serving a growing number of individuals impacted by violence in rural Rockingham County since 1976. Last year, the agency served over 3000 survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, and elder maltreatment, charging no fees.
Under Julie’s tenure, the agency’s budget grew from $199,529.26 in 1998-1999 to $1,948,677.00 in 2021-2022, allowing program offerings to expand and more clients being served. Besides growing the operating budget, Julie was a cornerstone in advocating for increasing and improving agency space, saying “Our administrative leadership should do everything in its power to create a building that epitomizes how we value victims of these unspeakable crimes. We recognize that it could happen to any of us.” The official journey to a new facility began in 2016, and was wrought with pitfalls and barriers. Julie never gave up on the dream. She was determined to create a space for survivors which acknowledged their trauma histories, celebrated their bravery, and allowed for a menu of professional services geared towards individual optimum healing.
On July 31, 2021, the groundbreaking ceremony was held for Help, Incorporated’s new facility. Without Julie’s tenacity and drive, this survivor-focused, state of the art center would not now be a reality. Named SquareOne, a term which brings to mind a level playing field, a fresh start, and a new beginning, this multi-service, multi-agency center opened its doors less than a year ago.
Through the years, the following words and phrases have been used to describe Julie’s capabilities and contributions to Help, Inc: self-starter, thorough, fast, efficient, anticipates outcomes, practical yet creative, outstanding, a valuable employee, loyal, direct and forthright. “She is a sound voice of reason.” “She can rival the biggest corporations’ financial VPs in the way that she manages the agency budget.” “Julie offers steady support through chaotic times.” “She puts in more time for this agency, and gives up more personal time than anyone on staff.” “She is an exceptional leader.”
Among the accomplishments during her service at Help, Inc., she introduced a strategy to offset funding shortfalls so common in the non-profit human services arena. The agency reserve grew, staff jobs were protected, and clients continued to receive critical services, even during agency lean years. She was also pivotal in opening three resale shops to augment funding, and single handedly networked to have the agency selected the benefactor of the Lynrock Memorial Golf Tournament. The success of the Tournament for the agency is due to Julie’s organizational skills, and her willingness to shoulder the responsibility of the agency’s partnership with the Lynrock Memorial Tournament volunteers. The partnership continues to this day.
Julie will be greatly missed in the Help, Inc. work family,” said Angie Boles. “But the legacy she leaves will ensure that services are here for survivors for many years to come.” “On a personal note, Julie has been and will continue to be one of my dearest friends and confidants. I cherish the lessons she taught me about loyalty, faith, and service. Those lessons have made me a better person.” The Board and staff realize that the loss of Julie’s knowledge, expertise and experience will be difficult; however, Julie worked to lessen the impact by setting in motion a transition plan over a year in advance. Julie began training key staff on specific responsibilities as early as 2021. The majority of Julie’s financial duties will be turned over to Tabitha Cox, who has worked with Julie for the past 17 years.
Tabitha Cox began her career with Help, Incorporated at New Beginnings, Too! in October, 2006. During her tenure, she served as Resale Shop Coordinator, Transition Services Coordinator, and Financial Assistant. Most recently, she was named Financial Manager in preparation for expanded duties. Tabitha quickly learned the function and requirements of grant funders, and began preparing standardized reports and gathering data. She has worked side by side with Julie to complete expense/revenue sheets for Board reports and collect/compile data for annual audits. She balances agency accounts, assists with fundraising events and grant application preparation, and oversees the payroll system.
Tabitha has an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science, with an extensive focus on mathematics. In addition, she has trained in: Management and Leadership Skills for First-Time Supervisors and Managers, Living Our Values: Supervision & Feedback for Survivor-Seeking Organizations; Planning for Sustainability, Diversifying Funding & Writing Complex Grants; Leadership Institute; Leading during Organizational Trauma: Purpose, Connections, Strategies; Bridging the VOCA Gap; Groundwater; CFWYI Grants Management Training; GCC Grant Writing Workshops.
As Help, Incorporated moves into a post-pandemic survivor service arena, the agency is above the game, especially in rural Rockingham County. The new facility is well prepared for the explosion of virtual services and the increased risk for survivors. Gentry’s dedication, planning, and self-sacrifices for over 25 years has ensured a long, successful future of service provision to the most vulnerable populations in Rockingham County.
As for the future, Julie will continue to work, just in a different capacity which doesn’t involve life and death crises. “I just want to make happy people happier at the beach.” With husband Dean, Julie owns Island Market at Sunset Beach, NC. Thus, the next chapter begins.
Angie Boles, Executive Director
HELP, Inc Center Against Violence News Release • February 23, 2023
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