The Boulware Mission announced two new hires, with AJ Turner joining the team as Community Development Director and David Gaynor being named Operations Coordinator.
Boulware Interim Executive Director Gary Estes said they chose the two because of their experience in marketing and facility operations to help bring the nonprofit to the next level.
“Management feels that with these hirings, the Boulware team will be able to enhance the promotion of new and improved services and treatments for our clients through the development and implementation of new revenue streams,” Estes said.
Turner comes to Boulware after working with The Junior League of Evansville. In addition to her time in the tristate, she has worked with community impact and voluntarism in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Turner said she wants to connect to the community, not just the organization’s clients. After 2 years of living in Owensboro, she said she is still learning about the city but sees a lot of potential for the organization through her position.
“I’m definitely going to work to break some stigmas,” Turner said. “I’ve been working long and hard on my recovery process and working with some other groups to break the stigma in South Dakota, and I’m excited to bring that to Kentucky to see how I can help in this capacity.”
Before the Boulware Mission, Gaynor worked in various industries, including food service, hospitality, and manufacturing. He plans to use his position as Operations Director to enhance the entire client experience.
He said his primary goal is to ensure the clients have a good meal three times a day, every day of the week. Equally as important, Gaynor said, is ensuring that the organization is connected to Daviess County and surrounding areas and familiarizing the community with the services Boulware provides.
“We’re teaching them life skills, not only cooking and cleaning but also how to finance and do yard work and landscaping,” Gaynor said.
He added that Boulware aims to lower clients’ intimidation about rejoining the workforce and prepare them for what happens after they complete the program.
“These are just basic life skills,” he said. “Beyond that, we are going to help them rehabilitate themselves and then reincorporate themselves into everyday life,” Gaynor said.
