Stacey Hunter Schwartz resigned from her position as president and chief executive officer for World Services for the Blind in Little Rock days after announcing the organization may not reopen after the holidays because of financial constraints.
Schwartz, who was with the nonprofit organization for one month, confirmed Sunday that she resigned Thursday night. It became effective Friday, she said.
Schwartz told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Tuesday that the organization is in "a pretty dire financial state" and that she and the center's administrative staff were desperately searching for donors and a smaller campus.
She said Tuesday that she told the center's clients, who live on campus, to take their belongings home for the holiday break, which started Friday. She was unsure then whether the organization would reopen.
When asked about the agency's financial situation Sunday, Schwartz said she had "no comment," adding, "I wish the organization well."
She declined to comment further and referred questions about the future of the organization to its board members. Attempts to reach board members were unsuccessful Sunday.
World Services for the Blind is a nationally accredited adult rehabilitation center that offers nine vocational courses, a vision rehabilitation clinic, job-placement assistance, a college preparatory program, an assistive technology learning center and a personal adjustment program.
It is financed through donations, grants and the tuition paid by state rehabilitation agencies for the clients.
The organization has faced a decrease in enrollment since 2010 as well as high maintenance costs at its campus on Fair Park Boulevard, Schwartz said Tuesday.
World Services for the Blind laid off about 10 employees before Thanksgiving, and Schwartz said it was uncertain what would happen with the agency's 40 other employees.
Along with its campus, the organization is paying to maintain a vacant property near the Clinton Presidential Center and Heifer International. It bought the 10-acre lot for $3.9 million in 2005 with plans to build a $30 million headquarters. When fundraising efforts fell short in 2010, it abandoned the plan and put the property on the market.
Schwartz assumed the role of president and CEO on Nov. 17. She replaced Tony Woodell, who had been the top executive of World Services for the Blind since June, when then-President and CEO Larry Dickerson retired.
Metro on 12/22/2014