A familiar face has returned to the Women’s Resource Center amid a time of uncertainty for the nonprofit.
An announcement was made in a Women’s Resource Center newsletter Wednesday that Christy Schaerer, former Women’s Resource Center program director from 2010 to 2016 and former executive director from 2016 to 2023, would be stepping back into the role of executive director at the center on an interim basis.
“Welcome home,” the newsletter’s subject line read.
“Christy is uniquely attuned to the needs of our community,” the board of directors wrote in the newsletter. “From being part of the team, establishing our Scholarship and Low-Bono programs to launching fan-favorite events like Men in Heels, her impact on the WRC is immeasurable.”
Schaerer said she felt it was time to “step up again” and lend her knowledge and expertise to the organization.
“I care deeply about the mission, and know what we do in the community is important,” she said. “Our mission is why I stepped back in. It’s like, ‘OK, let’s get going, and we can get things set up and get an executive director in here and start doing what we’re here to do.’”
Long-term volunteer Jennifer Tabak was briefly set to take over the interim executive director role, but did not end up serving in the position.
The board described being “grateful to have (Schaerer’s) guidance during this time of transition” and looking toward an “exciting new chapter.”
The announcement comes after several difficult months for the nonprofit.
Former Executive Director Tammy Tyner, who Schaerer originally hired in 2016, abruptly left the organization in November after nine years in the role.
Tyner died by suicide several days after her tenure at the center ended.
Both she and the board declined to comment about the reason for her departure at the time – but several former staff members and the board later said Tyner had been fired.
The center then closed in mid-December amid resignations of volunteers and staff members, who cited ethical concerns with the board.
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Several former staff members and volunteers alleged misuse of WRC funds by the board, “bullying” behavior and paychecks being issued late or incomplete.
The board told The Durango Herald in a written statement that the allegations were “unfounded and potentially damaging to the vital mission of the WRC.”
The board told the Herald that the center would be reopening with reduced hours over the holidays and into the new year, but a “temporarily closed” banner remained on the organization’s website as of Thursday, and Schaerer said the center is still working toward reopening.
“We can only do so much right now, until we get some more people in here to volunteer,” she said.
Schaerer declined to comment on Tyner’s work at the center or the allegations made against the board.
“I’m kind of stepped out of that piece of it,” she said. “I’m just trying to come in and fill in this position to get things set up and moving forward. ... I knew Tammy, and obviously she worked well and knew the programs.”
Schaerer said the center is not yet ready to release a timeline for finding a more permanent executive director, but that efforts are underway.
“(We’re) definitely working toward getting the organization doors open again, and then just working on our existing programs and making sure that we’re providing services and financial (resources) for women and girls in the community right now,” she said.
epond@durangoherald.com
