BOARD MATTER
September 25, 2006

Recognition of Nancy G. Taxson
Former Executive Director, Homestretch

Mr. Chairman:

Nancy Taxson retired from Homestretch, Inc., after 16 years as Executive Director effective August 1, 2006. She remained through August to assist her successor, as would be expected of Nancy with her history of dedication to Homestretch.

Under Nancy’s direction, Homestretch grew from a concept into an operation with 20 employees in a building it owns on S. Maple Avenue in Falls Church City. During her tenure, Nancy built the organization into one of the largest and most respected providers of transitional housing in Northern Virginia.

Homestretch was launched in September 1990 as part of the Falls Church Community Service Council and went on to become independent in 1998. From its inception, Homestretch has helped more than 750 families with nearly 2,000 children become self-sufficient. Annually services are provided to between 110 – 115 families, usually about 70 at a time, because families are entering and graduating at any given time. The emphasis added here is the fact that families are graduating.

Fairfax County has benefited from Nancy’s dedication to children and families. The void left by Nancy’s retirement will be sorely felt but we thank her for all the ideas, strength and determination she has contributed to create a viable organization which can continue to grow and provided these desperately needed services.

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that the Board show unanimous support for this motion and direct staff to prepare a Certificate of Recognition to be presented to Nancy G. Taxson at our next meeting on Monday, October 23, 2006.