New Foothill Unity Exec Director

Foothill Unity Center has promoted a new Executive Director from its own ranks to replace recently-retired Joan E. Whitenack. Deputy Director Betty R. McWilliams was chosen from a field of more than 20 candidates to assume leadership June 4 of the non-profit organization that helps local low-income families and individuals get the food, health care and crisis assistance they need to survive, and hopefully get back on their feet.

Betty R. McWilliams

As a key member of the Center’s management team for 14 years, McWilliams has played a pivotal role in its growth into one of the most effective nonprofit agencies in the area. In partnership with Whitenack, she led the expansion of its program service area from three cities to eleven, now providing services to more than 4,000 unduplicated very low income local families and homeless each year. She was instrumental in securing the Center’s federal designation as Community Action Agency for the Foothill Area and in the success of its major annual fundraising event, the Golden Plate Awards Dinner.

A retirement party for Joan Whitenack is planned from 5 – 8 p.m. Thursday, June 28, at the Double Tree Hotel in Monrovia. For information and reservations ($10 per person), contact Barbara Rolf at the Center, 626.358.3486 or email barbara@foothillunitycenter.org

In addition to overseeing the Center’s day-to-day operations, McWilliams has helped to develop many of its client programs, including Health Services, Pet Food Bank, Senior/Disabled Home Delivery, case management and much more. She has also been instrumental in the planning and execution of its annual Back to School, Thanksgiving and Holiday Distributions. Prior to joining the Center, McWilliams served as Executive Director of the Pasadena Senior Center for six years and held other administrative positions in the private sector.

“After a months-long search and the review of a strong field of final candidates, Betty emerged as the hands-down choice of our Executive Search Committee,” said David Steinmeier, President of the Center’s Board of Directors. “As Foothill Unity Center enters a new era of helping local families in need, we are fortunate and proud to have Betty’s exceptional leadership skills, seasoned experience, caring and passion at the helm.”

In 2011, the nonprofit Center, the Community Action Agency for the Foothill area, provided more than 35,000 family food services – including monthly groceries, weekly perishable foods, bag lunches for the homeless, homebound delivery and more. The organization also supplies access and referrals to health care services, plus referrals to over 100 local organizations and partners for other crisis services.