Hope Center names Rufus Friday as executive director

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Hope Center announced Tuesday that it has named Rufus Friday as its new executive director.

“We conducted an extensive search for our new executive director and found the perfect fit was close to home,” said Cathy Jacobs, chair of the board. “Rufus has been a longtime Hope Center board member and actively engaged in many efforts that make our community a better place. He has a heart and passion for our work, which is needed now more than ever as homelessness and substance abuse have grown during the pandemic. His servant leadership, experience and positive approach make him the perfect choice to shepherd our organization through challenges and opportunities alike.”

Friday served as president and publisher of H-L Media — the Lexington Herald-Leader and kentucky.com — for seven years.

Most recently, he was special assistant to the president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College system, the largest provider of postsecondary online and workforce education in Kentucky.

In addition to his board service for the Hope Center, Friday also serves on the boards of the Kentucky Historical Society Foundation, Lexington Industrial Foundation, the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and the Muhammad Ali Center board in Louisville.

“The incredible work that the Hope Center provides to Lexington and Central Kentucky is a testament to its commitment, through the comprehensive array of programs and services that are provided to get people back on their feet,” Friday said. “I am delighted, thrilled and blessed to have this opportunity to lead a great team at the Hope Center, and I look forward to sharing the vision and advocating for the Hope Center’s mission, as we make an impact and move forward in providing a clear path to self-sufficiency for anyone who comes to us for help.”

Friday succeeds Cecil Dunn, who served as executive director for 24 years and retired in 2019. Chief Operating Officer Janice James served as interim executive director after Dunn retired.

Hope Center provides emergency shelter, food, and clothing 365 days a year to help the homeless and those with substance abuse disorder and mental health issues, get off the street and stay off the street. To meet those needs, the Hope Center has programs that deal with recovery from substance abuse disorder (for men and women), mental health issues, employment assistance, transitional housing, social services, a free health clinic, permanent housing and the Hope Mobile mobile outreach.

The Hope Center provides more than 38,000 meals, 24,000 nights of lodging, 800 healthcare services, and 4,000 articles of clothing each month.