The Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH) Board of Directors is proud to announce that Jennifer Darsey has been named Executive Director, effective January 3rd.

She will succeed current Director Cindy Murphy Kelley who is retiring Dec. 31 after eight years leading the organization

Darsey currently serves United Way of the Coastal Empire (UWCE) as Vice President of Direct Services and Impact. In this role, she works to ensure friends and neighbors throughout their four-county region have equitable access to vital resources managed by their organization through 2-1-1, the area service centers, volunteer services, and various designated managed funds.

“Ms. Darsey has more than 11 years serving the needy in the Savannah area and she has built a tremendous reputation for working with various agencies, the public, and the target populations alike,” said CSAH board chair Julian Miller. “Out of some 37 applicants, some of them quite impressive, she towered above the rest in her passion to help the homeless and the skills needed to do so. The entire service community will be proud to see her in this position. We also see this as an opportunity to build on the fantastic relationship CSAH has with the United Way.

“At the same time, we need to thank Ms. Kelley for the leadership she has exhibited in bringing this organization to the position it is in today. We wish her well in her retirement.”

United Way of the Coastal Empire President and CEO Brynn Grant said about Darsey, “Jennifer possesses a rare combination of skills and talent. She is a gifted communicator with great vision yet she can easily manage complicated processes and details. She is a strategic thinker and innovator who can and will do the hard things. She naturally approaches challenges as opportunities which makes her someone you always want on your team. We will miss her terribly but look forward to working closely with her in her new role, so vital to our organization, many United Way agencies, and our community.”

Having been with United Way for 11 years, Darsey has held two positions including Area Director then Vice President of Direct Services and Impact. Darsey led the expansion of the early childhood literacy program, Read United, across Bryan, Effingham, and Liberty Counties. Her work during the pandemic implementing the COVID Rapid Response Fund Project, CARES projects, and now the Emergency Rental Assistance Project have been vital to our region.

Darsey’s development of the Backpack Buddy Program in the Liberty County School System, which was the first program of its kind on a United States military installation, along with her management of the Landings Military Family Relief Fund at United Way and the development of multiple programs serving the active-duty military communities at Hunter and Fort Stewart showcase her commitment to community collaboration, partnership, program development, human-centered case management, and data excellence. Darsey’s work in and development of the Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry in Liberty County and now her continued work in the Chatham/Savannah Continuum of Care make her highly qualified to lead the efforts of the team at CSAH.

Prior to her tenure at UWCE, Darsey served as law clerk for the District Attorney of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit, deputy clerk for the Liberty County Clerk of Courts, and Chief Probation Officer. She also worked with Helen’s Haven Child Advocacy Center as a child advocate. Because of her lifelong love of music, she served for 25 years in local churches as choir director, music director, worship leader, and worship pastor. She is the proud mother of two incredible daughters, McKaylin and Lily.

Darsey was named Humanitarian of the Year in 2017, serves as the current board chair of Liberty County Family Connections, co-chair of the Continuum of Care Board of Directors for Chatham/ Savannah, served on the Adult Education Advisory Board at Savannah Technical College, and is the vice chair of the Liberty County FEMA Board.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the staff of CSAH and Board of Directors as we continue to advance the mission serving

some of our most vulnerable community members,” said Darsey. “I have chosen to invest my career with Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless because I am passionate about its mission, the work being accomplished, and the chance to help continue the incredible efforts of Cindy Kelley and her team. This has been a challenging time for our community and I look forward to serving in collaboration with other agency partners that help uplift the individual lives of those struggling with homelessness.”

Led by Board Chair Julian Miller and the Consulting Firm of Charles McMillan, a search committee of current and former board members as well as community leaders evaluated numerous candidates. After an extensive search process that included 37 initial candidates and series of interviews, the search committee recommended Darsey the CSAH board to lead the organization. The board voted unanimously on Wednesday to accept the recommendation.