May 28th Program
Located at 1149 Railroad Avenue in Rockford, Carpenter's Place has a large day room with a home-style atmosphere, case management area, bathrooms, showers, storage for personal belongings, kitchen, classrooms, art room, laundry facility, donation room and office space.
Carpenters Place quickly grew ew beyond simply providing a safe environment away from the streets. Over the years as resources poured in, various programs, case manager and staff grew from the original 2 founders to the 19 staff employed today. A current array of very practical and essential life services center around professional, holistic, and goal-oriented case management. Effective service linkages, coupled with accountability, are provided for those caught in the downward spiral that has led to their living on the street.
Miranda Swanson initially joined Carpenter’s Place in 2016 after receiving her Bachelors of Public Relations at Illinois State University. It was Carpenter’s Place that sparked her love for nonprofit work and communicating impact. She quickly fell in love with the relational nature of the work and the generosity of those who care so deeply about the vulnerable populations in our community.
Since then, Miranda has held positions at The College of Medicine Rockford, Remedies Renewing Lives, and also obtained her Masters Degree from NIU in Nonprofit Management. Now, she is back at Carpenter’s Place as the Director of Marketing and Development, is the President of the Rockford Area Association of Fundraising Professionals and is also an adjunct professor of Public Relations at Rock Valley College.
Miranda, her husband Andrew are enjoying their precious but fleeting time with their two-year-old daughter Vera – either playing outside or roaming around the local library!
Miranda will talk about the history of Carpenter's place and what they are going to be doing in the future to help some of the Rockford area's most vulnerable citizens. This will be an interesting and informative program and one you will want to bring a guest or prospective member to join us in person at Memorial Hall or via Zoom.
Julie Bosma will introduce or presenter and act as Rotary Host.