Published: June 25, 2009 08:27 am      

Cook retiring as Center of Hope ED

Galen Scott

gscott@weatherforddemocrat.com

Burton Cook, 63, executive director of the Parker County Center of Hope since April 2008, announced he will retire at the end of June.

Burton left a professional position at North Side Baptist Church in 2007 before agreeing to serve COH. He was a member of the COH board of directors for five years prior to accepting the executive director position.

“It just seemed like a good time to step aside,” Cook said of his decision to retire. “I’m ready for a little less stress and a little less responsibility.”

Burton’s administrative assistant and COH finance manager Jalain Bagley described Cook as phenomenal, noting his dedication to Parker County communities and his outreach efforts.

“He has a church home, but he really enjoyed going to some of the other churches and letting them know about Center of Hope,” Bagley said of Cook. “He was involved with the business community and with the chambers; he just made sure that the Center of Hope remained prominent in the community because we’re completely supported by the community.”

Janet Foster, president of the COH board of directors, praised Cook’s work ethic and contributions. Citing financial considerations, she said the board is not currently pursuing a replacement for Cook.

“Like everything else in life — I don’t know how to say it — we’re doing great but finances are everyone’s first and foremost thought, at this moment,” Foster said. “We have to be as careful with other people’s money as we can be with our own.”

The Center is financed primarily by donations from local churches and individuals. In an e-mail sent earlier this week, Cook thanked the organization’s benefactors.

“I hope you will continue to support the Center of Hope, as I will, with your time, prayers, and resources, because the needs of families in our communities have never been greater,” he stated.

Cook said there is a possibility he will continue working with COH on a part-time basis and will serve as a volunteer.

Center of Hope is a ministry-based charitable organization dedicated to reversing the cycle of poverty in Parker County through offices in Weatherford and Aledo.

Services offered by COH include a food bank, limited financial aid for utilities, prescriptions and rent, daily meals, computer and GED classes, bible studies, a housing program for single mothers and a career counseling.