After six years leading the Hope Center, Becky Bolt is stepping down.
The executive director announced earlier this week that she will be retiring from the role effective May 31.
She said the decision was a “bittersweet” one but necessary.
“It is with great sadness that I will be leaving the people I have had the privilege to work beside,” she said in a statement. “These are some of the most loving and giving people I have ever known. This brings me comfort in knowing that the Hope Center will go on, as it was intended, even after I am gone. I have always felt when God told me it was time to leave, I would listen. It’s my time to go.”
Bolt started with the Hope Center in 2015, where she began working as a volunteer.
When previous director, Jessica Schulze, the co-founder and executive director of the group since it started, relocated to Arizona, Bolt served as transition administrator. She then moved into the director role soon after.
“When I came to the Hope Center I was looking for a room to rent to hold Celebrate Recovery meetings. I was asked at that time about volunteering as the office manager. I was thrilled to be a part of a faith based nonprofit that was doing so much to support our community,” she said. “I went in with the idea that I would not be making decisions, no responsibility other than what I wanted to volunteer for, and ended up as the executive director.”
Before working at the Hope Center, Bolt worked in the corporate world as president of the second largest managed care organization in Ohio, then senior vice president of the largest third party administrator in the country but said she felt the calling to help people.
“God brought me out of that world to the Hope Center but allowed me to use what I had learned from those positions to help build the Hope Center to where it is now,” she said.
In her time with the faith-based organization, Bolt worked to serve the community in whatever capacity it needed. She also led the group through a surprise move in 2022.
Prior to the change, the Hope Center was located in the former East Elementary School building. Then in December 2021, officials from the Marysville Exempted Village School District said it would reclaim the Chestnut Street building to house its administrative operations.
The organization’s offices and Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) then moved into 123 N. Court St., where it currently resides.
She also worked to get a location in Richwood, though she said the goal is to eventually be back “under one roof.”
When recalling some of the moments that stood out to her, Bolt said one story in particular speaks to what the Hope Center can do for the community.
“We had a young man come in ready to commit suicide and because one of our volunteers was listening, he was able to see the signs and take immediate action. In the meantime, the rest of us were praying. We got a phone call asking for the young man and was told for him to come home, a job and his nana were waiting on him,” Bolt said. “What a blessing God poured out that day. This volunteer was actually our very first homeless person that the Hope Center helped. He is now employed, married and has four kids.”
Bolt said it’s those partnerships and the people she worked with that made the Hope Center a success.
“I will greatly miss the partnerships/relationships I have made over the years. If anyone knows me, they know I have tremendous passion for what we do at the Hope Center,” she said. “We will be working diligently to find someone that has that same passion, as well as the desire in taking the Hope Center to the next level in their season with these same partners and even more.”
Bolt said while she plans to step away, she may still try to stay involved with volunteer work.
“I will be moving into my next phase of life of grandkids, baseball games, gymnastics, softball and more. I really look forward to this time in my life, while still wishing well all those I am leaving behind when I go,” she said. “In between (those activities), you might just see me volunteering at the Hope Center.”
Bolt said leading the Hope Center has been one of the great pleasures of her life.
“Thanks to all who have been a part of the support for me/us over the years,” she added. “I have been blessed beyond measure with the people I’ve come in contact with and the miracles I’ve seen God perform almost on a daily basis.”