A new executive director is taking over at the Inn of the Good Shepherd in the new year.
Jack Christine has been learning the ins and outs of the Inn and the community since early November and said making real connections will be one of the tougher challenges.
"I think probably the biggest challenge is that Myles has, over the years, formed fantastic relationships, especially around our donors, as well as local people," said Christine. "It's probably one of the challenges (for) me to continue his relationship, because it's a very personal thing that he's created."
Christine joins the Inn from River Kids, a charity based in Scotland, where he is from, which supports disadvantaged children and families and will take over for outgoing executive director Myles Vanni, who is set to retire after 20 years in mid-January.
"It's been, in parts, challenging because we've got so much to do this time of year, and also to try and spend some time together when Myles talks about the intricacies of the position, about policies and procedures and all those sort of things." said Christine. "I think it's always good to be thrown in at the deep end so you can so you can see how things are if you sink or swim."
The Inn serves thousands of individuals and families every year, offering multiple different services including a food bank, soup kitchen, income tax clinics, emergency shelters, transitional housing and much more.
Christine said he looks forward to finding community in Sarnia and taking over in the new year.
