Serenity House has a new leader.

Executive Director Richard “Doc” Robinson and the board of directors of Serenity House of Clallam County selected Viola Ware as the organization’s Director of Operations.

Ware is a longtime employee and previous Director of Coordinated Entry for Serenity House — a 501(c)3 private nonprofit agency providing emergency shelter, transitional housing and supportive services to homeless individuals and families in Clallam since 1982.

Ware was a founder and principal for Serenity House Youth programs, Dream U and other early local Serenity House youth efforts. Ware moved into case management, became a supervisor and then went onto her program director for Coordinated Entry role. She was also assigned the role of program director for YYA Coordinated Entry and the YES! youth entry services program.

“Viola has operated in (many) professional capacities and even today she still walks deep into the woods, advocating for clients,” Robinson said. “She brings balance – humanity and program management. She carries our past with a strong vision of our future. I am deeply impressed by her work and have been for some time. She was promoted because she has shown that she has the ability to lead and has a history of doing so here.”

Following her appointment, Ware said, “I take this very seriously and I know it will be a lot of hard work. Tackling homelessness in our county is a daunting task. I’m dedicated to serving our community and I am excited.

“Not only do I have incredible partners in this within my organization but throughout the county that include Peninsula Behavioral Health, Healthy Families, Forks Abuse, DSHS, Work Source, Peninsula Housing Authority, VIMO, Law Enforcement, local tribal communities, faith-based organizations, every landlord that makes housing some of our most vulnerable neighbors possible. I’m excited to be a part of a team of agencies and community stakeholders determined to work together for the benefit of all.”

As operations director, Ware will continue to manage coordinated entry and youth outreach programs at a greater depth, and will also be on the local Chemical Dependency and Mental Health board in the near future.

In October, Serenity House celebrated the re-opening of its night-by-night and family shelters after hiring a new shelter director.