What’s Happening

We are pleased to announce the reopening of WRC.

We are thrilled to open our doors once again. To ensure a smooth transition, we are starting with limited service hours:

Monday & Thursday | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Thank you for your patience and support. We are already working on extending our schedule and hope to offer more hours very soon!

Response to recent allegations (12/30/2025):

FROM: The Board of Directors, Women’s Resource Center (WRC)

DATE: December 30, 2025

The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is aware of a recent article containing several inaccuracies regarding our financial management and internal operations. While we typically prefer to focus our energy on our mission, the reliance on hearsay from a small group of former associates necessitates a public correction of the record. We are committed to transparency and provide the following facts:

1. Responsible Financial Stewardship

Claims regarding the "mismanagement" of funds are a mischaracterization of standard fiduciary duty. The Board’s responsibility is to ensure donor funds are not sitting idle in non-interest-bearing accounts.

• The Reality: The Board moved excess operational capital into a highly liquid, interest-bearing Money Market and short-term CD accounts to maximize resources and risk-free returns.

• Investment Strategy: In September 2025, the Board voted to establish a "laddered" investment strategy to manage high cash balances. We set a policy to maintain a balance of no more than 45 days of expenses to remain in the checking account, transferring the excess funds to Fidelity Money Market and monthly maturing CDs. This ensures funds remain available for WRC operations via online transfer while earning a higher yield. The Executive Director and the CPA were well informed of these changes before the Board approved it.  Long-term reserves are held in diversified mutual funds, a conservative and standard practice for nonprofits, contrary to false claims regarding individual stock speculation. A portion of WRC’s long-term investments are held through the Community Foundation, which is positioned in a diversified Index Fund. Diversified investing aligned with our investment policy is crucial for the center's fundraising methods, as the competitive landscape of grants is currently challenging. 

• Restricted Grant Funds: Grant funds were allocated by the Executive Director and CPA. The Board of Directors does not have the authority to redirect grant funds. It was the responsibility of the Executive Director to maintain records on Restricted Funds.

2. Fair and Generous Compensation

Allegations that the WRC "shorted" paychecks are categorically false and contradicted by payroll records.

• Overpayment as Grace: One recently resigned staff member was paid for 70 hours of work despite only completing 34. Another received a $1,000 bonus prior to resignation,  plus three weeks of additional pay post-resignation.

• Final Disbursement: Any brief delay in the former Executive Director’s final pay was due to the organization being locked out of its own payroll software. Once access was restored, she was paid within 48 hours. This payment included 281 hours of accrued vacation and pay through the 15th of the month, despite her final day being the 5th.

3. Personnel and Professional Accountability

The WRC does not terminate employment based on "personality." Decisions are based strictly on performance and the needs of the community we serve.

• Performance Standards: The former Executive Director was let go for failure to meet the requirements clearly outlined in her Position Agreement.

• Defining Bullying: What has been characterized as "bullying" was, in fact, the Board exercising its legal duty to request standard financial reporting and accountability. Resistance to professional oversight should not be confused with a lack of kindness.

• Board Engagement: Far from being disengaged, the Board repeatedly sought a more collaborative relationship with our staff and volunteers. We advocated for staff presence at board meetings and pushed for innovative programming and fundraising to meet community needs. Unfortunately, these efforts were consistently rebuffed by the Executive Director, creating a gap between leadership and those doing the work on the ground. Our goal has always been, and remains, to fully support our team and the clients we serve, and we are committed to breaking down those barriers moving forward.

Conclusion

The WRC Board remains focused on the future.  All accusations can be refuted through emails, Board meeting minutes, and bank statements. The volunteer board has and will continue to serve with the highest degree of ethics and governance. There is no compensation or perks provided to board members.

Moving forward:

As we chart a new course for the WRC, our next steps focus on renewal and rigorous oversight. By conducting independent financial and governance reviews, hiring new executive leadership, and coming together to strengthen our mission, we are laying a foundation of excellence. This is more than a checklist; it is a clear roadmap for the principled leadership our community deserves.

Please direct any questions to: wrcboard87@gmail.com

Respectfully,

Ashley Truitt, President

Kara Komick, Treasurer

Crystal Robertson, Secretary

Patrick Fredricks

Laura Addington

Melissa Montgomery

Angela Reynolds

Angela Fountain

Updates at WRC

We are deeply grateful for your ongoing support and would like to provide you with an important update on the organization’s stability and strategic direction.

In the wake of such a heartbreaking time for WRC and the significant transition our organization is experiencing, we are moving forward thoughtfully with compassion and a deep responsibility to the community. During this transition, we are working to rebuild our foundation and ensure the long-term well-being of the organization and its ability to serve the community. The Board has been working diligently throughout the past month on our next steps and how best to support the staff, volunteers, clients, and community partners.

After thoughtful evaluation, we have determined that taking a brief, strategic pause in our programs and daily operations is necessary. This temporary pause will allow us to focus fully on an essential priority: realigning and strengthening key staff roles so WRC can best meet the evolving needs of the La Plata County community in the new year. Our commitment to the mission remains unwavering, and we will reopen as soon as the appropriate leadership, team, and support systems are in place to effectively carry out this much-needed work. We know this temporary pause may bring questions, and we want you to know that the board has made this decision to protect WRC’s long-term health, not to step back from our mission of "Advocating for the personal empowerment and economic self-sufficiency of women and girls in La Plata County. 

Since our founding in 1987 by a dedicated group of local women, WRC has served as a vital and resilient resource for our community. That history of strength and commitment continues to guide us today, and we remain focused on honoring that legacy as we take these thoughtful steps forward. We are committed to communicating openly during this process and will share updates on our website, www.wrcdurango.org, including our hours of operation as they become available. Additionally, you can connect directly via email to wrcboard87@gmail.com.

Your continued support truly makes a difference. It is an investment in WRC’s future, a future where we are well-positioned to serve, support, and partner with the women and girls of our community.

December 12, 2025