Glick announces retirement as executive director of Catholic Charities

After 11 years at Catholic Charities of Wichita, including six as executive director, Wendy Glick has announced plans to retire in the next year and is actively supporting the process to identify her successor. The announcement was made by Chris Goebel, chair of the Catholic Charities Board of Directors.

Goebel praised Glick’s leadership through the pandemic and countless other challenges. “Wendy has provided stellar leadership for Catholic Charities of Wichita, always putting the needs of the organization first,” he says. “Her priorities were always focused on those served by Catholic Charities, and she has built an organization that is both nimble and purpose-driven.”

Goebel says an executive search team has been formed to select Catholic Charities’ next executive director, targeting first quarter 2023 for the transition.

Providing an atmosphere of team-building and collaboration

Among Glick’s achievements at Catholic Charities is spearheading the creation of a 2019-2023 strategic plan. Throughout the pandemic, Goebel noted that Glick provided an atmosphere of team-building and collaboration to keep Catholic Charities’ 13 ministries operating without interruption. In its 2021 Annual Community Report, the organization reported serving 475 children and adults at St. Anthony Family Shelter, fielding 9,000 domestic violence calls to the Harbor House hotline, and 91 veterans assisted through Supportive Services for Veteran Families.

Adult Day Service capital campaign launch and successful expansion

During Glick’s term as director, Catholic Charities launched a capital campaign aimed at relocating and expanding its Adult Day Services ministry to a fully renovated former elementary school. In April 2021, program participants and staff were welcomed into a new 30,000 sq-ft center featuring 10 program rooms, 24 accessible bathrooms, three changing rooms, a roll-in shower, a sensory room and a large multi-purpose room for meals and large group activities. Adult Day Services recently completed development of a 25,375 sq-ft accessible outdoor recreation area. In the Catholic Charities 2021 Annual Community Report, Adult Day Services reported 10,831 days of care for 124 program participants.

“We are called to serve others, and I have been fortunate in my career to answer that calling. I have loved every minute of my time at Catholic Charities. The people we’ve served and the success stories we have seen have been a great joy to me,” says Glick. “I’m proud of the team we have built, and I know that the organization is in a strong position to tackle the growing needs in our community.”