Scott’s Run Settlement House, an area 501(c)3 serving Mon County community members, saw a changing of the guard this month.
As the board of directors and the SRSH team bid farewell to the outgoing Executive Director Shay Petitto, they announced two additions to the team: Michael Richard, stepping in as executive director, and Devon McDaniel, joining as assistant director.
Scott’s Run Settlement House has been a place to which the community has turned since 1922. Founded by the Women’s Home Missionary Society of the present-day Wesley United Methodist Church in Morgantown, Scott’s Run has continued to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the community.
During Petitto’s seven-year tenure, Scott’s Run has:
- Increased the food pantry’s reach by 25% to serve 9,500+ individuals in 2021
- Grown annual community food donations by 129% equaling $400,000+ in donated goods
- Expanded the Free Farmers Market and Senior Food Box programs, serving another 350 individuals monthly
- Extended the Friday Backpack program sending food home for the weekend to area high schools and middle schools in addition to already served elementary schools
Board members expressed gratitude for Petitto’s contributions as well as excitement in finding new local leaders to lead Scott’s Run into the next century of service.
“The growth and strength of SRSH under Shay’s leadership has placed our organization in a wonderful position to move forward with our new leadership in our community. The board is nothing more than excited to see how we can continue to be an asset to the community and will forever be thankful for our time with Shay,” board President Lindsay Williams said.
Richard took over as executive director after years of nonprofit leadership with the Boy Scouts of America and Habitat for Humanity locally and in southwest Indiana.
“When I started working with nonprofits in 2013, I quickly knew that helping and improving our communities was my personal calling. Being able to positively and directly help families in Monongalia County with Scott’s Run Settlement House is wonderful, especially being back home in north-central West Virginia.” Richard said.
McDaniel stepped into a new role as assistant director after years of direct non-profit programming and leadership experience within the Morgantown community.
McDaniel noted, “I have always had a passion for helping others. Growing up, my family relied on services that nonprofits provide, so I love being able to give back to my community. I am excited to help continue to serve the community through the great work that Scott’s Run Settlement House does.”
If you need assistance or would like to learn how you can help, reach out by phone 304-599-5020 or on the website at srsh.org.
Located in Osage, Scott’s Run Settlement House provides services for those in Monongalia County finding themselves in economic hardship. Scott’s Run tries to address the root cause of why community members need help, and then create a customized approach for each need. From job interview coaching, to informational assistance, the agency does more than just provide food to those in need. Coordinated programs provided include a food pantry, a backpack feeding program, senior food boxes, various seasonal outreach programs, and a free farmer’s market weekly. The food pantry includes canned, frozen and fresh food and personal items, baby items including diapers, school supplies and pet food. Scott’s Run proudly partners with the United Methodist Women, the United Way of Mon and Preston Counties, the Mountaineer Foodbank and Empty Bowls Monongalia.
