Board of Directors
For Goodness Sake works with the community to hold a higher, more effective vision for serving our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. The Board builds structures that invite community investment measured going in and evaluated coming out. Investors and community members will know contributions both large and small are making a measurable difference in someone’s life and the life of our community. The Board and committee members fully expect to participate in increased effectiveness of the service providers in our community.
What sets For Goodness Sake apart is focus on effectiveness. The Inaugural Board holds this vision for our community across structures of government, schools, funding sources, service providers, religious institutions and interested members of the community.
We are currently welcoming interested community members who have a passion for ending homelessness and who share ideas and values of FGS. Our committees focus on community outreach and engagement activities, grant support and evaluation, and fundraising through pledges and fundraising events. We work with and through the community to meet our goals.
Terry Weld (Co-Founder)
As a long-time resident of Eau Claire, a downtown business owner, landlord, local realtor and City Council President, I have witnessed from all angles, the challenges of providing and acquiring stable, safe and affordable housing. I believe that For Goodness Sake can and will make a real difference in ending homelessness and I am honored to be a part of it.
Jill Christopherson (Co-Founder)
My work experience was drawn into focus when I began counseling youth and adults to overcome barriers to employment and obstacles to higher education, supporting families broken by domestic violence. My retirement was from the staff of First Congregational United Church of Christ building programs for families and connecting youth with the needs of the community. My experience in Eau Claire opened my life, enough to say that I “grew up”here.
All of this experience was available for a new direction after retirement. I served two terms on the Eau Claire City Council, listened to our community and connected with Terry Weld. We created For Goodness Sake because all of Eau Claire, everyone must be able to participate in the vision to end homelessness. Individually, we don’t have the resources to achieve a higher vision for the community welfare. Doing “the best we can” is not working. As a community, this daring and compelling goal inspires me to work for my neighbor, to lean into the conversations and relationships that build a community that cares for one another and functionally ends homelessness.
Jay Winzenz
Homelessness is a critical indicator of what a community needs to thrive. Eau Claire has arrived at a point where collaboration among service providers is imperative to change the experience of our unhoused neighbors. I like joining with For Goodness Sake to disrupt the "business as usual" ways of responding to homelessness and seek innovative solutions rather than the status quo of treating symptoms. This is an all hands on deck situation for this community.
I worked in city government for 34 years; 25 years in Janesville where, among other responsibilities, I managed the City’s housing programs and 9 years in Eau Claire as the Finance Director. I am pleased to use my experience to advance grounded and creative solutions for Eau Claire and For Goodness Sake.
Audrey Nelson
Executive Director — Brain Injury Association of Wisconsin | Brain Injury Prevention, Advocacy, Education, Research, and Support
Kristen Gundry
I have been a local educator for more than 25 years working alongside community organizations throughout the Chippewa Valley. I have served as a homeless coordinator for the public schools and played a key role in supporting AmeriCorps collaborations focused on addressing regional homelessness. I raised my family in Fall Creek; my three sons are now pursuing their own paths in the world. I remain deeply committed to strengthening our community and fostering universal support systems for individuals and families in need.
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Rick Pendergast
I have lived in Eau Claire all of my life except when I was in the Air Force. After the service I joined the Eau Claire Police Department in the late 70’s. In seven years on the department I saw only one homeless person. An older man was sleeping in a card board box behind a warehouse on Oxford Ave. The night was bitterly cold. I took the man to the County Home, then located off of Truax Blvd and near where Dove Care Facility is located, and without question they took him in. I had my law office downtown for many years. As a result I crossed paths with many of the homeless in Eau Claire. I drive by the Sojouner House occasionally and have observed groups of people waiting for the doors to open. The look of despair is on all of their faces. It breaks my heart especially because there does not seem to be an answer. I joined For Goodness Sake to try and make some kind of difference in those poor souls lives.
Get in Touch
If you’re interested in learning more, partnering, giving, or simply exploring how you can be involved, we’d love to connect. Fill out the form below, and someone from our board will follow up with clear next steps, honest answers, and ways to engage that align with your interests.
Whether you represent a church, business, organization, or are simply passionate about this mission — your voice and participation matter.