A message from the Board of Directors
May 24, 2021

Friends and Supporters of the HUUB,

We want to let you know of a major change at the HUUB. In August 2021, Charlie Wirene and his family will be moving out-of-state.  He will  be leaving his position as the founding Managing Director of the HUUB, running the day-to-day operations of the organization and overseeing campus maintenance and improvements. We will be sad to see him leave this role, in which he has done an outstanding job. Happily for us, he will be moving into a new role as the Director of Resource Organizing. He will focus on fundraising, development, and special projects. It is especially critical at this time, as we launch a capital campaign to bring our campus up to all the activities now taking place there. 

We are so proud of the work Charlie has accomplished, leading the staff, board, and Thomasberger Fellows since HUUB was created in November 2015! We gave Charlie the seed of an idea – to think of our buildings as assets instead of liabilities – and he has cultivated this seed into a well-known resource in the city. With Charlie’s leadership, the HUUB is an established anchor institution constantly pursuing social justice and working to improve the situation for individuals, families and businesses across Orange. Our work has blossomed over this time, we have learned so much and met so many people, and have so much to show for it: from a community listening idea to a fifth cohort of Joe Thomasberger Community Fellows; from the 100-Year-Old House Conference to our city-wide Planning to Stay community organizing project; from an annual flower communion to the creation of the campus-wide Ben Jones Community Gardens. 

It is with the HUUB’s growth and these successes in mind that our team has begun developing a master plan for the campus. Working with incredibly talented and passionate designers, we have a vision of our spaces to truly become an urban connector between the residential neighborhood on one side and the commercial energy of Main Street and the Orange train station on the other. This fall, we will be launching a multi-year capital campaign, actively working to bring the master plan to life and realize the vision of what the HUUB campus can be. One of Charlie’s main responsibilities as Director of Resource Organizing will be leading this campaign 

It is exciting to think about how far the HUUB has come over the last six years under Charlie’s leadership and we can’t wait to see what the next six years will bring. We would never have been able to accomplish everything we have without the love and support from our vast network of friends and allies. Thank you so much for all you’ve done to help us get here! We hope you will join us in August when we throw a pizza party to celebrate all Charlie has accomplished and to kickstart his new role as Director of Resource Organizing.

If you know anyone who would be interested in the Managing Director position, please share this job description with them! We are accepting applications through June 30th.


In Solidarity,

Frank Barszcz, President, HUUB Board of Directors
Mindy Fullilove, Treasurer, HUUB Board of Directors