Combined Community Services Executive Director Randy Polston announced Thursday he was resigning as the organization’s executive director at the end of this year.
After five years at the helm of CCS, Polston will be focusing on family and continuing his service to the community as a member of the Warsaw Community School Board. Polston filed earlier this year to run for a fourth and final four-year term on the board. He faces Emerson Poort in the general election.
In a phone interview Thursday, Polston said he graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 1973 and from Spring Arbor College in Spring Arbor, Mich., in 1977.
Feeling God called him to return to Warsaw, his first job with Warsaw Community Schools was at McKinley Elementary School, teaching fifth grade and “coaching everything.” He then moved to Lincoln Elementary where he taught fourth grade.
After nine years of being an elementary school teacher, Polston said he felt called to get into administration. He earned his master’s degree in administration and was hired as the principal at Claypool Elementary for five years. After WCS built Harrison and Eisenhower elementaries, Polston was selected to open Harrison as its principal with Chris Gensinger at Eisenhower.
In 2011, Polston retired from WCS but Grace College offered him a job to build a new academic program. For eight years, starting with the 2011-12 school year, he was at Grace.
He then decided to run for the Warsaw School Board.
Polston was told someone was needed for the executive director position at CCS and he was asked to apply. After consultation with family, and prayer with God, Polston put his name in the hat and was selected as CCS’s executive director. He began after Labor Day in 2019.
During his tenure at CCS, Polston oversaw significant change and positive development at CCS, expanding its programs and deepening its impact on the community, according to a news release Polston provided. Under his leadership, CCS has strengthened its ability to support those in need, ensuring that essential services reach the most vulnerable members of the community, the release states.
"I am incredibly proud of what we've accomplished together over the last five years," said Polston. "CCS is in a strong position to continue servicing our community, thanks to our dedicated staff, committed leadership and the support of our community partners. I have full confidence that the organization will continue to thrive and make a difference in the lives of many."
During his five years as executive director, Polston said in a telephone interview, CCS continued to do as much as possible to raise funds to impact lives. The first thing he did as executive director was to reach out to churches, pastors and agencies to establish and re-establish relationships in the community. He scheduled meetings and talked to church congregations.
Polston said he talked to K21 Health Foundation President and CEO Rich Haddad to get set up to write grants.
Over a period of time, Polston said they got grants for a new security system, HVAC and roofing. County American Rescue Plan Act funds also were made available to CCS. Polston secured a grant for a refrigerated vehicle to transport frozen foods.
“The building is our biggest asset. We’re trying to keep it in the best as possible,” he said.
The last five years has been a “perfect storm” for CCS, Polston said.
The United Way did a shift in its funding in the county so CCS lost that support.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, CCS was able to get federal and state resource money so CCS made it through that with 11 employees, including Polston.
Then inflation hit and donations began to dry up. Unfortunately, CCS had to cut the number of employees it has down to 4.5, he said, but they’re still providing services like the self-sufficiency program and the food pantry.
“We work hard as a team to impact as many lives as possible,” Polston stated.
About four to five months ago, more than 700 people came into the CCS food pantry. There were over 800 in July.
CCS certainly does have challenges ahead, Polston acknowledged, as times are tough locally, statewide and nationally. Nonprofits are all reaching out for the same dollars.
But, Polston said, the CCS team is “second to none.”
Polston said as he continues to serve as executive director through the end of the year, he will work closely with the CCS team to ensure a smooth transition.
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported CCS and me personally throughout my time here," Polston said. "As I move into this next chapter, I look forward to spending more time with my family and continuing to serve our community through my work on the Warsaw Community School Board."
CCS will begin the process of identifying a successor to lead the organization into its next phase of service. Further announcements will be made as the transition progresses, the release states.