Nonprofit executive calls decision to retire ‘bittersweet’

“After much reflection and with mixed emotions, I have decided to retire from CaringWorks this year after proudly serving as its president and CEO for 24 years,” said Carol Collard in announcing her decision to step away from the Decatur-based organization through which she not only served those struggling to find decent affordable housing but also trained many others to follow best practices as they joined the effort.  

“When I co-founded CaringWorks in 2002, it was because I was passionate about equipping people experiencing homelessness with the resources and stability needed to improve their lives,” Collard said.  

“Since then, I have been amazed and inspired by what our organization has accomplished, thanks to a compassionate workforce, generous supporters, and countless partners, volunteers, and friends. Together, we have built one of the leading permanent supportive housing providers in Georgia, and we have helped thousands of individuals and families throughout metro Atlanta escape homelessness and achieve stability,” she continued. 

Under Collard’s leadership, CaringWorks has served more than 10,000 clients with a success rate—as defined by people remaining in permanent, supportive housing units after a year—of more than 90 percent year after year, according to the CaringWorks’ website.  

CaringWorks does not own housing facilities, but partners with owners of such facilities to find a good match for its clients. 

Collard said she grew up in New Orleans in a working-class family in which her parents put in long and difficult hours to provide for the family. Once she started working for a nonprofit, she saw people struggling at a far greater level, she recalled, saying, “It touched something deep within me.”  

Initially, CaringWorks was an affiliate to the nonprofit where Collard worked after a career in real estate. That nonprofit no longer exists, but CaringWorks has expanded over the years. All told, Collard has worked more than 31 years assisting those with housing issues. 

Of those working with community members in need, “There are people who are doing it right and people who are doing it wrong. I wanted to be sure I was doing it right,” Collard said, explaining her decision to go back to school and get a master’s degree then a Ph.D. in social work. 

Among the most tiresome parts of nonprofit work, Collard said, is paperwork. “Often people who have a passion for helping others really dislike the paperwork; but paperwork is part of it. Much of our funding comes from the government and of course they have regulations. We have our own layer of regulation that is necessary to operating the business—and a nonprofit is a business—properly and in the best interests of those we serve,” she explained. 

“We regard clients as our partners. If there are obstacles such as mental health issues, substance abuse issues, employment issues, or something in their background that makes finding housing difficult for them, we work with them on those issues. Sometimes it’s about teaching them to be better advocates for themselves,” Collard said. 

While she is passionate about helping clients, she also is passionate about preparing staff to keep the organization functioning. Collard, who also has taught college-level classes while leading CaringWorks, said she feels strongly about the need for the work she has done for more than three decades to continue. 

“If you look at raw numbers, it appears that we had come close to solving the homelessness problem,” she said. “About four years ago the numbers concerning people struggling with housing looked really encouraging, but now the numbers appear to be creeping up again. I encourage people not to let go of this issue.” 

The CaringWorks Board of Directors has initiated a national search for the organization’s next president and CEO and has engaged a search firm to lead the process, Collard said, adding, “I will continue serving in my role during this time to support our clients, staff, and partners and to ensure continuity in our work … and I will work closely with them to support a smooth leadership transition.” 

Reflecting on her decades with the nonprofit Collard said, “I have two sons and CaringWorks has long been my third child. I often worked 50 or 60 hours a week; now I want to spend more time with my grandchildren. While my decision to retire is bittersweet, I know it is the right time for CaringWorks to enter its next chapter under new leadership.”