Great River Faith in Action (GRFIA) is under new direction as they transition from founder and Executive Director Denice Freih, to new interim Executive Director Consuelo Silbernagel.

 

Silbernagel took the reins from previous ED Sara Parnell Jan. 9 of this year. Parnell had taken over the duties of Freih after Freih stepped down late last year. Parnell — who was once the organization’s community engagement coordinator — planned to stay on at GRFIA, but left the area at the start of the new year for a lead pastor position outside the community.

 

The GRFIA board did an extensive search for a new ED and came upon Silbernagel who once worked at Crisis Nursery of Wright County. She currently lives in Corcoran with her husband, Vincent and their 15-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son. Consuelo is 38 years old.

 

Silbernagel comes into an organization that is in a bit of unrest with Freih’s resignation and the closing of their thrift stores and boutiques. They’ve also downsized the company and are looking to re-brand their image.

 

“Pruning is sometimes necessary to get the tree healthy,” said Silbernagel.

 

Silbernagel is under the direction of the six remaining board members and a team of five in the office. She brings over fifteen years of experience in mental health services, community based services and crisis intervention services.

 

In the office, Silbernagel has Darin Bohlken, the organization’s business director. Dani Gibson is the volunteer coordinator and data entry specialist. Cherise Robb is the new community engagement specialist and transportation director. Carol Norton is the intake coordinator and Lynn Dertinger is a case manager.

 

Silbernagel and her staff have been busy over the last month or so retaining their generous donors andre-assuring their clients of their commitment to them. Silbernagel says one of the biggest needs in the organization right now is funding.

 

“We are in need of other case workers and we need to continue to evaluate and assess clients and thier needs today,” she said. “We are grateful to Grace Lutheran Church for the facility but we still have to pay for utilities, operations, etc.”

 

With the closing of the boutiques, Silbernagel says the organization can now focus their energy and resources on the day-to-day operations of the business.

 

“Our goal is and has always been to take care of people,” Silbernagel said. “We need to take care of our clients as well as take care of ourselves and our duties.”

 

GRFIA is also in great need of volunteers. The organization still plans to hold their annual events — including their 5k, their golf tournament and their gala. Those events are always well-attended and volunteers are desperately needed to organize, attend and clean-up afterwards.

 

“In the last month-and-a-half, I’ve been incredibly impressed with the great teamwork this staff has shown,” Silbernagel said. “Theses are good, committed people who believe in this organization and its mission.”

 

The organization’s website boasts that mission as, “strengthening their communities by using their hearts and hands, one caring relationship at a time. We educate, empower, and mobilize the people and communities we serve, helping those in need to remain living independently and self-sufficiently — with dignity and quality of life.”

 

GRFIA’s multidisciplinary team works alongside hundreds of volunteers from many different congregations and the community to meet the needs of the people they serve. They reach out to people who are finding life difficult because of age, disability, or life circumstance and support and love them while helping to maintain their independence.

 

They stress they do not intend to replace the traditional role of family caregivers nor do they desire to do for others what they are capable of doing for themselves. They say they work to support families as they care for their loved ones and, whenever possible, to empower people to assume personal responsibility. 

 

Currently, GRFIA utilizes seven volunteers who are shouldering the majority of the work at events. Silbernagel would love to see that number jump dramatically and help stabilize the structure of the once-thriving entity.

 

For now, Silbernagel and her staff are focusing on three main areas of service — Furniture for Families, Adopt-a-Grandparent and the Bridging Project.

 

Furniture for Families allows GRFIA to provide needy families with free basic household items and furniture in crisis situations.

 

Adopt-a-Grandparent connects the younger generations with seniors for mentoring relationships, service and healthy social connections.

 

The Bridging Project involves the youth to make big differences and contributions to the area through community service projects year-round.

 

Other services GRFIA provides is their Live Well at Home program and transportation services. Volunteers are needed as drivers, light housekeeping, chore services, friendly visits, office support, phone ministry and fundraising.

 

GRFIA, founded in 2003 is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization. They are located at 13074 Edgewood Street in Becker and their office telephone number is 763-263-4277.