On April 9th, Ben Zickafoose, CEO of Carpenter Place, tendered his resignation to the Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2021. Last week, our staff, the young women for whom we care and their families were also informed of Ben’s decision. In conversations with Ben, he shared, “I love Carpenter Place. I love this mission, the purpose, and its legacy. It has been my privilege to be entrusted as the CEO of this wonderful ministry for the past 7 1/2 years. Your trust, support, encouragement, and love have always been obvious and appreciated. However, after years of working with children’s home facilities around the country, my family and I have decided it is time to move in another direction. We look forward to new ways to be of support to this wonderful organization.” Ben has accepted an administrative position with a private Christian school and will remain in Wichita.

While we are saddened to lose Ben, Kendra and their family, we are overjoyed to have had his servant leadership and a front row seat to the transformation of the campus, our organization, and so many young women (and their families!) Please join us in thanking the entire Zickafoose family for its service to Carpenter Place and its mission these past 7 1/2 years.

In the meantime, The Board of Trustees has begun a search for Ben’s replacement and welcomes your suggestions and input during the process. In addition, Ben will assist in the transition of leadership. Thankfully, because of the wonderful house-parents and staff you’ve come to know and love, Carpenter Place will continue to fulfill its mission of “caring for deeply hurting girls”. With heavenly oversight and a generous outpouring of His provision, Ben and the entire staff have ensured that Carpenter Place is at perhaps the best point both fiscally and programmatically than at any point in our 75+ year history.

At this time of transition, we appreciate your continued support and ask for prayers for the Zickafoose family, the young women and their families, our house-parents and staff. Please also be in prayer for continued wisdom, guidance and blessings for all involved in this process. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Board at executivecommittee@carpenterplace.org.

Yours in Christ,

The Carpenter Place Board of Trustees