LIMA, Ohio (January 17, 2019) Coleman Professional Services CEO Nelson Burns and his wife Suzanne have issued a community challenge to fund an endowment in honor of Michael Schoenhofer’s years of service as Executive Director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize and Hardin Counties. The Burns have pledged $10,000 and will match donations dollar-for-dollar to raise $20,000 to seed the Michael A. Schoenhofer Fund for Coleman Professional Services.
Schoenhofer, who will retire as Executive Director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of AAH on January 31st, has served in his position since 2000 and was the Associate Director of the agency before that. During his tenure, he established a 24-hour regional crisis center, helped create a regional tragedy response team, worked with area businesses to help employees who are unable to pass a drug screening get treatment so they can return to work, among many other achievements.
“I am deeply moved and honored that Coleman is establishing this endowment fund in my name,” Schoenhofer said. “I believe the strength of our system of care and the success of our programs and services rests entirely on quality staff who are highly motivated to care for our friends and family in need. I hope this endowment will encourage young people to work in our field and experienced staff to stay in the field.”
In announcing the challenge gift, Burns said that it has been an honor to work with Mike and that he and his wife, Suzanne, want to acknowledge his legacy by creating a fund that will support behavioral health education and employment in Allen, Auglaize and Hardin Counties. The purpose of the Michael Schoenhofer Endowment Fund for Coleman Professional Services is to spark interest in the post-secondary behavioral health field of study, assist with workforce readiness and workforce development, and to provide scholarships, stipends, student loan forgiveness or internships for those wishing to pursue careers in case management, social work, vocational rehabilitation or other employment opportunities to fulfill the Coleman mission. The agency endowment fund will be held by a local community foundation.
If you wish to accept the Nelson W. & Suzanne Burns Community Challenge for Coleman Professional Services in honor of Michael A. Schoenhofer, please visit www.colemanservices.org/schoenhofer, call the Coleman Resource Development office at (330)676-6876. For more information please contact us at HowToHelp@colemanservices.org.