Abigail Kauffman recently joined Network of Community Ministries as the CEO and President and has since been working hard to assist the Richardson-based nonprofit in completing and expanding the mission of caring, coaching and empowering neighbors in need.

Abbie, husband Cade and their young daughter are proud to call Richardson their home. She is excited and energized to be working in her own community and says smiling, “working so close to home and to our daughter’s school is certainly a benefit”. Beyond the convenience factor, Abbie lives and works in Network’s service area where she recognizes needs and issues, and brings first-hand knowledge to her recent position.

Abbie brings more than a decade of diverse experience in nonprofit and higher education to Network. She began her fulltime career as a Development Officer in the University of Texas system in Odessa, Texas, and found her passion in social services as Development Director for Centers for Children and Families in Midland/Odessa. Abbie returned home to Dallas in 2015, where she joined the staff of Jewish Family Services of Greater Dallas as Director of Communications, and later Director of Development. She went on to serve as CitySquare’s Senior Director of Strategy where she worked across the organization focusing on program sustainability, metrics alignment, and collaborative partnerships. Most recently Abbie held the position of Director of Special Projects & Information Services at Catholic Charities Dallas.

“Abbie has a passion for our mission and will bring the energy to sustain the momentum for Network’s future. She has experience in creating and diversifying partnerships and programs, as well as empowering high performing teams,” said Network Board Chair Monica Scott.

Network of Community Ministries has a large service area that includes all 14 zip codes in RISD including parts of the zip codes that may fall into other school districts. Founded in 1985, Network began during an economic downturn when several churches and community organizations came together to form an alliance to assist families in need. Network is a non-denominational, community-based organization with current programming that includes basic needs assistance, a mobile food pantry, seniors’ net as well as all-important stabilization programs.

With a strong board and 60 partner/stakeholders, Network serves over 26,000 individuals annually. Some 85 volunteers a day, many of whom are seniors, spend time with neighbors in need. The food pantry is always bustling. There is a large and well-stocked clothing “store”. The on-site food pantry, clothing store and mobile food pantry are all designed as shopping experiences so that neighbors actually select what best meets their needs and, as Abbie says, “It is a positive, dignity- preserving experience.” She goes on to explain that every service is delivered with the same care and praises her team for their unwavering loyalty to their neighbors in need.

“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as CEO alongside the staff, volunteers, and stakeholder partners at the Network of Community Ministries,” said Kauffman. “As a Richardson resident, Network’s mission is deeply personal. I look forward to continuing to empower our neighbors as they turn to Network seeking an improved quality of life.”

Network of Community Ministries hosts two fundraisers in the fall: Network’s Food Pantry Fork-Off in October and an annual Golf Outing in September. For more information, go to https://thenetwork.org