Lewis Jones was named executive director of Combined Community Services, a post he's delighted to have.

"I'm blessed to lead an agency that helps thousands of people get a hand up out of poverty. I take the CCS motto of 'neighbors helping neighbors' very seriously."

The organization, established in 1984, provides emergency food, clothing and utility bill assistance.

CCS coordinates Project Independence, a mentoring program that helps low income families achieve economic independence through education.

Jones said he will be involved with securing more programs, doing some strategic planning and carrying out initiatives.

"I have a great staff that's been here for some time and there's so much potential to do good work," Jones said. "The poverty here is hidden, it's not as overt as in other places."

Jones grew up in Fort Wayne and is a Northrop High school graduate. He received a bachelor's degree in American studies from Yale University and a master's degree in journalism from Indiana University. He is a certified fund-raising executive and has a certificate in fund-raising management from the Indiana School of Philanthropy.

In 2004 Jones was director of development for the Cardinal Center, then went to the Kosciusko County YMCA.

He said he was drawn to CCS because, like the Y, it is faith based. "We answer to a higher power," he said.

Jones replaces interim director Laura Cooper and former executive director Laura Kaufman who left CCS almost a year ago. Cooper now works for the Warsaw Housing Authority and Life Touch Ministries. Kaufman went into legal practice with Snyder, Birch and Morgan in Syracuse. [[In-content Ad]]