Sipiora will retire after serving 10 years as executive director.[/caption]

Lynne Sipiora is retiring as executive director of The Samaritan Inn, the only residential homeless program in Collin County.  Sipiora has held the position since 2005, the same week Hurricane Katrina evacuees arrived in North Texas.

Since Sipiora joined the nonprofit, the McKinney-based program has experienced major growth, including an expansion of programs offered and large gains in fundraising initiatives.  Sipiora spearheaded the effort to build the Samaritan Inn Village, a $7.5 million dollar family shelter planned to be built on the 15 acres near the existing facility.  Construction on Phase 1, which will include a family building that will provide shelter for 200 people as well as a pavilion that includes a cafeteria, classrooms, living room and reception area is set to begin soon.

“While this was an extremely difficult and emotional decision for me, I feel the time to retire is now,” said Sipiora, in a news release.  “It will give me an opportunity to spend more time with my family.  The Samaritan Inn and its mission will always be a part of me and I remain committed to helping homeless families get back on their feet.” Sipiora began her role as a volunteer at the Inn when moved to McKinney in 2000.  Five years later, she accepted the Executive Director position where  she oversaw all functions of the Inn's operations, including volunteer management, marketing, special events and programs.  It was also her responsibility to raise the money needed to meet the organization’s annual budget of $2 million dollars. “This is a great loss to our organization and community,” said Board President Mark McAndrew, in a news release.  “Lynne Sipiora is the Samaritan Inn.  In more than a decade, she turned a small homeless shelter into one of the best organized and most effective non-profit organizations in North Texas and the nation.” Currently, she serves as board president for Texas Homeless Network, the leading state-wide organization addressing homelessness.  The Samaritan Inn Board of Directors will start a nationwide search to replace Sipiora.  She will retire at the end of the year.