ENGLEWOOD —Teamwork Englewood has a new executive director who said he wants to improve the nonprofit organization's branding.
The organization's board hired Perry Gunn, 58, as its leader earlier this month.
“Perry brings proven leadership to our organization. He has served in key roles in the nonprofit sector for many years, and has a wealth of experience working with community groups," said Willard Payton, board chairman for Teamwork Englewood.
Gunn said while he may live in south suburban Matteson, he has family who live in Englewood and that makes him part of the community too.
"I grew up in Bronzeville and graduated from King High School when it was known for its boys basketball team," said Gunn, a husband and father of four adult children. “I am committed to working with our community partners and stakeholders to make a positive impact in Englewood.”
The former executive director of the nonprofit North River Commission, a community development organization in Albany Park, said he wants to make Teamwork Englewood known for a few programs rather than trying to do everything.
"There are other organizations doing a marvelous job at providing different services and I see no need to rival them," he said. "Congressman Danny Davis is known for creating legislation that helps ex-offenders. I want people to think of Teamwork Englewood for its programs like they do Danny Davis when it comes to ex-offenders."
One of the programs the group offers is an re-entry program that includes a job readiness component.
"We want to be a positive outlet for" ex-offenders, he said. "Whether it's assistance with housing or anger management counseling we want to help ex-offenders get back on their feet."
Technology training is another one of the organization's programs, along with mentoring services for youths ages 10-18.
Three goals Gunn said he hopes to accomplish by 2015 are to create a stronger collaboration between Englewood organizations, create a niche of services that Teamwork Englewood can be known for and to help develop the neighborhood's economy.
Across the street from Teamwork Englewood, which gets rent-free office space in the U.S. Bank building at 815 W. 63rd St., crews are building a new retail development that will be anchored by a Whole Foods store.
"Whole Foods will bring jobs and customers to the community. We want to be a part of that process of attracting developments that help spark economic development," Gunn said.
With eight regular employees and a $700,000 annual budge, Gunn said fundraising is always a challenge for organizations, but one he is confident he can sustain.
"There's money out there for organizations like Teamwork Englewood. My job is to find it," he said.
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