History
In the year 2000, the session of the First Presbyterian Church charged a selected task group of members with expertise and dedication to the greater mission of the Church to oversee the implementation of the wishes of a congregational member who had left a gift to the First Presbyterian Church of Hays in her will. The gift was specified to be used by the Hays First Presbyterian Church to do one project for the community of Hays that demonstrates our Christian obligation to care for our neighbors, not the church itself. This task group after many months of investigating the needs of the community paired with the resources of our congregation proposed the formation of "The Center for Life Experience." The vision was to be directed to building mutually supportive relationships around people with common life challenges and needs who could offer each other their personal gifts, talents and life experiences. It was to be inclusive, ecumenical, non-duplicative and most of all appropriately responsive to the current but changing community and societal needs and resources.
The Session approved moving this opportunity forward and established a Supervisory Board including the Pastor as ex-officio. A 3/4 time director was hired to carry out day-to-day functions related to the vision. A major emphasis was to be developing a sustainability plan after the financial resources of the original donor's gift were spent. During the next three years, there was a major effort to write grants and seek community, regional and national funding sources to meet this directive. Over $150,000.00 in funds were raised to cover all of the expenses incurred by the Center during these early years. The challenge that became apparent and had to be faced at that time was that the funds that were being sought were not amenable to covering overhead costs including the salary of the Director. The Supervisory Committee met with the Session for their guidance and directives for moving forward or looking at ending this initiative. The Session recognized the progress and positive impact in the community being made in their name and voted unanimously to move forward. The Session therefore made the decision to undertake the overhead expenses including the salary of the Director who would continue to seek funding for the programming of the Center. The Director, who had been a contracted staff, then became a member of the church staff with the supervisory responsibilities then falling under the policies and oversight of the Session and its committees. Session requested that the Supervisory Board act as an Advisory Board, overseeing the financial and programming functions of the Center. The Advisory Board continues to serve in this role.
During the next 10 years, the Advisory Board and full-time Executive Director moved forward, continually seeking information from the community about changing needs , and researching extensively how best to move forward with investment of the Center's resources. There were many challenges and discussions about maintaining the integrity of the mission of the Center as an outreach ministry arm of the First Presbyterian Church, while also responding to the growing challenge of sustainability of funding in a changing economic climate. In time, the credibility and support for the mission and vision of the Center gained recognition and increased participation by the community for the impact it was making. The Center for Life Experience, Inc is now located in the Hadley Redevelopment Center at 205 E. 7th, Suite 251, Hays,KS.
Striving to be responsive to societal changes and cultural values, today the Center for Life Experience Advisory Board continues to work under the oversight of the Session to maintain integrity and sustainability. The Advisory Board draws upon a strong network of expertise and resources in refining the Center's focus. The Advisory Board directs the Executive Director toward sustainability of CFLE as a resource for the people of Hays and the ever increasing needs of our western Kansas region.
The Session approved moving this opportunity forward and established a Supervisory Board including the Pastor as ex-officio. A 3/4 time director was hired to carry out day-to-day functions related to the vision. A major emphasis was to be developing a sustainability plan after the financial resources of the original donor's gift were spent. During the next three years, there was a major effort to write grants and seek community, regional and national funding sources to meet this directive. Over $150,000.00 in funds were raised to cover all of the expenses incurred by the Center during these early years. The challenge that became apparent and had to be faced at that time was that the funds that were being sought were not amenable to covering overhead costs including the salary of the Director. The Supervisory Committee met with the Session for their guidance and directives for moving forward or looking at ending this initiative. The Session recognized the progress and positive impact in the community being made in their name and voted unanimously to move forward. The Session therefore made the decision to undertake the overhead expenses including the salary of the Director who would continue to seek funding for the programming of the Center. The Director, who had been a contracted staff, then became a member of the church staff with the supervisory responsibilities then falling under the policies and oversight of the Session and its committees. Session requested that the Supervisory Board act as an Advisory Board, overseeing the financial and programming functions of the Center. The Advisory Board continues to serve in this role.
During the next 10 years, the Advisory Board and full-time Executive Director moved forward, continually seeking information from the community about changing needs , and researching extensively how best to move forward with investment of the Center's resources. There were many challenges and discussions about maintaining the integrity of the mission of the Center as an outreach ministry arm of the First Presbyterian Church, while also responding to the growing challenge of sustainability of funding in a changing economic climate. In time, the credibility and support for the mission and vision of the Center gained recognition and increased participation by the community for the impact it was making. The Center for Life Experience, Inc is now located in the Hadley Redevelopment Center at 205 E. 7th, Suite 251, Hays,KS.
Striving to be responsive to societal changes and cultural values, today the Center for Life Experience Advisory Board continues to work under the oversight of the Session to maintain integrity and sustainability. The Advisory Board draws upon a strong network of expertise and resources in refining the Center's focus. The Advisory Board directs the Executive Director toward sustainability of CFLE as a resource for the people of Hays and the ever increasing needs of our western Kansas region.