(Battle Creek, Michigan) – Voce’s Executive Director, Josh Dunn, announced today the he will be stepping down in June 2019. A search committee is being formed to select his replacement. Dunn has been in the role since June 2015.
Voces is a non-profit community-based organization that works to promote an inclusive society by providing Latino/Hispanic families with resources and opportunities that lead to individual and community transformation. The organization delivers English as a Second Language classes, interpretation and translation, after-school programming, cultural activities and advocacy.
In a Spanish-language video posted to the organization’s Facebook page, Dunn thanked the community for their support, and expressed his desire to continue his learning in creating systemic change for the empowerment of all immigrant families.
“We are really sad to see Josh go, but we are also very happy for him and his family for the new opportunity they are embarking on,” said Jorge Zeballos, President of the Voces’ Board of Directors. “We are profoundly grateful for Josh’s leadership. Under his direction, Voces has become a stronger and more stable organization, with greater impact on the lives of our Latino/Hispanic community.”
Since taking over in 2015, Dunn has focused on making Voces’ programs more effective, impactful and relevant to evolving community needs. As community employment became more competitive, Dunn and his team developed and implemented a model for providing English language instruction on site to local employers and their associates.
Dunn helped to establish Voces as the first nonprofit in Battle Creek recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide low-cost immigration legal services to families who might not otherwise be able to afford representation. In 2018, Voces staff processed naturalization, permanent residency and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals applications for over twenty people.
Under Dunn’s leadership, Voces has also achieved national recognition in the form of grants and gifts. In 2016, Voces was awarded $10,000 from UnidosUS, a national advocacy organization, to support the development of the above-mentioned legal services program. In 2017, Voces received
a separate $10,000 investment from Solidarity Giving, a fund started by the creators of WhatsApp. Voces hopes to build on these successes under new leadership. “Searching for a new
executive director is always a challenging process,” continued Zeballos. “It is also an opportunity for new ideas and energy to come into the organization with a new person at the helm.”
The call for the new Executive Director has been posted to the Voces website, www.vocesbc.org/jobs, and to all major online job boards. Interested parties are encouraged to review the posted job description, and to contact [email protected] to apply.
Those wanting to learn more about Voces, its services or the community it serves are encouraged to attend the Voces Annual Open House from 8:30 to 4:30 on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at their offices located at 520 W. Michigan Ave in Battle Creek, 49037. More information can be found on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/vocesbattlecreek.
About Josh Dunn
Josh took over from the founding Executive Director, Kate Flores, in July 2015. Prior to working at Voces, Josh taught middle school on the US-Mexico border in Mission, Texas and managed language services and interpreter professional development in his home town of Atlanta, Georgia. He holds a B.A. in Linguistics and Spanish from the University of Georgia.
Josh moved to Michigan with his wife Mandie in 2014 while she pursued her doctorate at Michigan State University. In July of this year, they will move to Tampa along with their 14-month old son Aaron as Mandie begins her appointment as Assistant Professor of English Education at the University of South Florida.
Voces is a non-profit community-based organization that works to promote an inclusive society by providing Latino/Hispanic families opportunities and resources which lead to individual and community transformation. Voces is an affiliate of UnidosUS, and is supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek Community Foundation, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, Miller Foundation and the Guido A and Elizabeth H Binda Foundation.
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520 W. Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49037
269.841.4111 • www.vocesbc.org