Original Post: Jim Huycke,
I have made contact to some extent with a total of four attorneys so far, and have arranged a consultation early next week with a firm outside of Racine County that specializes in these kinds of cases. To date, the consensus of these lawyers has been to not make any public statements despite my eagerness to do so. I do want to express my deepest gratitude to the dozens of people who have already expressed their support—it is truly a blessing to have so many people who care so much about me, the agency and the people served in our community.
Jim is not the founder of the runaway shelter that is now called Safe Haven. Racine Runaway was operating in the 70s, then merged with RUSH, and became Innovative Youth Services (in the same building and all). When then long-time successful and admired director Andre Olton voluntarily left for a position in Milwaukee back then, the organization went through a leadership transition before Jim emerged. Having been a board member and hotline volunteer during Andre's tenure and shortly after, I was not involved at all during Jim's stint. I believe in the mission of the organization and I wish it all the best for the children and families it serves.
ReplyDeleteA little more history...it was in the early 70's when Mayor Ken Huck founded Racine Runaway. He brought in Burt Kintzler, Leo Mutchler, Ray Rheaume, along with ten or so more, and reportedly the real make-it-happen catalyst a guy named Larry (not sure of last name). The agency RUSH (Racine Urban Safe House) emerged from involvement of the Center for Community Concerns. I believe the Dominicam Sisters were also involved in the seeds of what we now know to be Safe Haven. I couldn't find a Historical link on their website, but maybe Safe Haven staff will add one so the next best executive director won't be mistaken as founder.
ReplyDeleteWas his recent divorce a result of the affair with the intern?
ReplyDeleteSo much speculation about Jim being terminated and what's going to happen now? Because of legal matters it's better that the people involved substain from talking about what happened. What needs to happen is that people involved in the agency should pull together and uphold the mission. Jim was not the agency but I do not want to take away what he has done for the agency. SAFE Haven has been around for many years and has grown far more than just a runaway shelter or counseling services from when it first started. I think it's integral that the employees of SAFE Haven continue doing their jobs and take advantage of the chance to move forward and welcome the next person to step up to the challenge. Jim is a smart man and will be okay, he is respected in some ways as a professional but has his drawbacks too because of some ethical and personal choices. No one is untouchable to weaknesses, insecurities, habits or anything that may cause us to waiver from our path. Do not be quick to judge without reflecting upon yourself. If you really care about the agency then step up and offer to be on the board, volunteer your time, donate a small amount of money or items that may help the many of families and individuals SAFE Haven helps daily.
ReplyDeleteIf someone really cares about the agency, perhaps they should consider revising policies and doing a complete overhaul of the staff. There has been an outrageous amount of sexual impropriety present in this organization for years - everything from supervisor/staff affairs on site to staff caught with younger clients (yes, plural) and handcuffs. Apparently, no one has ever been fired, even when undeniable proof(photographs) existed.
ReplyDeleteIf those sorts of things were happening something should have been done. Now is the perfect time to clean house. This runaways are leaving a bad situation. We do not need to put them in with wolves.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is a person on this planet that has not made a choice or two at sometime in their life that has angered or irritated someone else. Those who choose to judge people when they do not even know all of the details must get some sort of uplifted feeling for the things they lack in thier own self. If it makes you feel better about yourselves to base a person's job performance on his personal life choices, rather than their dedication to their work than I certainly hope for you that your closets are clean and your glass house is stone, rock, and bullet resistant. Judgement is one of those Karmatic issues that usually comes back to bite!
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Karma may have had a role in this, Oracle Princess
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