BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL (HOI) -- After 36 years of helping people in need in the Bloomington area, the executive director of a crisis hotline is ready to retire.
Karen Zangerle started at P.A.T.H.-- "Providing Access to Help," in 1995. She has been in charge since 2005, and after dedicating her life to helping people in need, she says retirement will be a big adjustment.
"Mixed feelings, I have mixed feelings," said Karen. "I think that's what everyone probably goes through, I'm ready to go on to some new challenges and I have some things I want to do and get done."
The former executive director says her biggest achievement is bringing the 2-1-1 hotline to McLean County. In her 36 years, she has helped meet almost every need. Whether it is with food for the hungry, healthcare for someone who is suicidal, or helping investigate abused adults with disabilities.
"If you're a middle manager at one of the larger companies in the area and your son runs away at midnight on a Saturday, the question is what do I do or where do I go, and I felt like 2-1-1 was the answer to that question."
Her efforts have won her more than 30 awards, with some of them highlighting her contributions to the social work industry.
"Things as a whole, it's the people that stand out to me. The people that we help and the people who helped us. I've had great joy working with tremendous volunteers."
Karen has been a community hero and her time to finally pass the torch has come.
"I know that when I was hired that I have very big shoes to fill and she is a true community hero and I'm lucky that I've been put into this role to help the community further," says the new executive director Chris Workman.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the 2-1-1 crisis hotline can click here for more information on how to register.
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A Bloomington native is leaving behind a legacy of service - HOI ABC
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