Robin Bledsoe will bring more than 20 years of nonprofit experience to a new role as the first president of a new addiction prevention foundation.
Bledsoe will helm the new Foundation at Williamsburg Place, a private foundation that will aim to advance therapeutic, educational and research programs for substance abuse. Its creation was announced last week by The Farley Center at Williamsburg Place, a substance abuse treatment facility.
“Robin is an accomplished leader in her community of Williamsburg and a successful fundraiser,” said Christopher Carney, the recently named chair of the board. “Her specialization in new program development coupled with her fundraising expertise are critical attributes necessary to launch The Foundation at Williamsburg Place.”
The Foundation is set to launch in January 2013. Its board of directors was named this week and includes: Christopher Carney; Dustin DeVore, vice chair; Michael Heaton, secretary/treasurer; Thomas Hancock, III; William Kiniry; and Dr. Leslie Rose.
Bledsoe characterized the combination of her desire to make a difference and the support of the Diamond Healthcare Corporation and Farley Center as “a dream come true.”
“Like many adults, my childhood memories involve adult alcoholics. Sadly, my family members did not seek professional help,” she said. “Being a part of a solution for other families is important to me at this point in my professional career.”
She said the first phase of development for the foundation will involve solidifying the board’s vision and communicating it to the public. The first phase of development sees the most active participation and excitement, she said, and she hopes to capture that.
Bledsoe, who has worked as a professional leadership consultant, served as executive director of the Heritage Humane Society for two years. She previously applied for the Jamestown District seat on the James City County Board of Supervisors, but withdrew her application. In April, she joined the James City County Planning Commission.
In her two decades of nonprofit work, Bledsoe has filled “just about every work station within a nonprofit,” she said. “With each opportunity over the years, I have learned something new and feel I am a much better manager as a result,” she said. “I also identified early on that the common denominator with each nonprofit is the need for a sustainable funding source for direct program services. That need is even greater now with the slow economy.”
The foundation will seek private donations to support its missions. Bledsoe believes the scope of the Farley Center’s services, which have helped patients from across the country, is compelling. “By having the foundation office in the Farley Center at Williamsburg Place, I see each day the impact the highly trained staff has when providing services,” she said. Her job will be highlighting those services to attract more support.
For now, the foundation hopes to promote prevention through education and eventually offer competitive grant opportunities for research.
