JULIE DUFFY, executive vice president of human resources for Providence-based manufacturing conglomerate Textron Inc., was recently appointed as the new chairperson for Crossroads Rhode Island’s board of trustees. Duffy succeeds the outgoing chair, Jack McConnell.
Why did you want to be part of Crossroads’ board? I was drawn to its mission. I went to a Jesuit college where the values of caring for the whole person and respect were ingrained in me. The work Crossroads does to provide individuals and families with immediate support and long-term stability is so closely aligned with those values. But that’s only part of what turned me on to Crossroads. I also saw an organization that is focused on effectiveness. Many other social service and housing organizations are set on great missions and driven by good intentions but measure outputs rather than outcomes. As I explored joining the Crossroads board, I saw a leadership team and a board that were focused on creating better outcomes for every individual and every family.
What are your plans for the organization as the board chairperson? I want to build on the foundation that Jack McConnell has poured. We have ambitious plans to continue building housing for low-income families and individuals and expanding partnerships with health care providers. When we do those things, we will need fewer shelters and will create more economic opportunity for more people. On an operational level, I also hope to support the staff and leadership. Crossroads is one of the best-run organizations in Rhode Island and that’s in large part due to the fact the leadership team and board have been aligned on mission and direction for so long.
How much affordable housing is needed to make a serious dent in the state’s homelessness problem? It is encouraging to see state leaders dedicating [American Rescue Plan Act funds] and other funding toward housing at this time. The experts I rely on have said we need to build around 2,500 low-income units to make a dent in the homelessness problem. To do so, we will need more resources than what the administration proposed. This investment is worth it. We know that when families and individuals have access to safe, permanent and affordable housing, they are very unlikely to experience homelessness again, their kids do better in school, and they have better health outcomes. I believe that Rhode Island can be one of the first states in the U.S. to end homelessness. But to do it, we need to take advantage of this once-in-a-century opportunity.
What new initiatives is Crossroads working on to help the homeless in Rhode Island? We’re going to continue to focus on building more low-income housing. We have several projects in the works already and we hope to identify other opportunities. We also plan to continue the hard work to break down silos and expand initiatives that connect health and housing. And lastly, we’ll focus on strengthening housing and resources for families with children. Crossroads’ work and impact goes far beyond shelter, though that will remain a central part of our identity for as long as people need shelter.
