As with all growing, impactful organizations, change is inevitable. After 3 years with Better Tomorrows, the last year and a half as President and CEO, Howard Tucker is resigning from his post effective mid-January. Through his able leadership spearheading matters of finance, staff development and growth, and a strategic plan which is now in place to guide the organization into the future, Better Tomorrows has made significant progress, putting the organization on firm footing.

“2020 took a toll on many and made me pause and take stock of my priorities,” says Tucker. “I have family in Brazil who have been tremendously affected by the ramifications of the pandemic. Their health and wellbeing require my immediate attention and support. It is with a heavy heart that I am moving on, but I am thankful to have had the opportunity to play a role in the maturation and stabilization of Better Tomorrows. With full support of our Board and leadership of The Michaels Organization, I am exiting a strong organization knowing it is in capable hands. Better Tomorrows will continue to offer resources to families, seniors, and youth that facilitate strong communities, healthy lifestyles, economic stability, and educational success.”

The organization’s advancement under Tucker’s direction is credited to his tireless commitment and willingness to lead the organization through a formidable transition and reinvigorating Better Tomorrows with the spirit of Jackie Jones who first encouraged Mike Levitt and The Michaels Organization to invest in comprehensive solutions that jumpstart housing, education, improved health, civic engagement and neighborhood prosperity.

The proverbial torch is being passed to Pat Schwartz, Senior Director of Impact and Service Delivery who Tucker says, “demonstrated her leadership as one of Better Tomorrows’ key teammates during the organization’s transformation.” In her current capacity, she is responsible for orchestrating and overseeing the work of more than 100 staff members at various levels throughout the organization whose jobs are integral to service delivery and professional training. Along with her intimate knowledge of the inner-workings of the organization, Schwartz brings more than 20 years of experience in community engagement and development to the table. Her resume includes work in the education arena and successes in leadership roles at private nonprofits and governmental agencies.

Schwartz is excited about serving in her new Board-approved position as Executive Director. “The fact that I can step into this new role is a testament to the culture of Better Tomorrows. I have the privilege of being at a wonderful organization managing the important work performed by incredible people at our sites and corporate office. I look forward to continuing on the trajectory Howard has firmly established for the organization and capitalizing on opportunities to nurture the organization and support the families and seniors we care so much about.”

Better Tomorrows’ staff, funders, community partners and residents can rest assured that Schwartz will continue the organization’s forward momentum.

About Better Tomorrows: In 1989 affordable housing owner and developer Mike Levitt, Founder and Chairman of The Michaels Organization, took the risk of investing in a new approach to affordable housing. His vision and that of Founding Director of Michaels’ Social Services, Jackie Jones, helped shape a program that focused on the delivery of services to vulnerable families, youth, and seniors in a novel way. This in-house model led to the establishment of Better Tomorrows in 2013 as an independent nonprofit organization.

Through the years, Better Tomorrows has morphed into a robust resident case management, training, and resource provision entity, magnifying opportunities for more than 20,000 residents at 121 affordable housing communities across the country. Its mission is to encourage transformation by mobilizing resources to Magnify Opportunities for residents and to create healthy, sustainable communities today that lead to better tomorrows.

About The Michaels Organization: The Michaels Organization is a national leader in residential real estate offering full-service capabilities in development, property management, construction, and finance. Serving 145,000 residents in more than 400 communities nationwide, Michaels is committed to crafting housing solutions that jumpstart education, civic engagement and neighborhood prosperity and to creating Communities That Lift Lives.