Executive summary

Ernie Conduff, Founding director, LifeSource International

Ernie Conduff
Ernie Conduff

List your education, work experience:

I have spent my life in a vocational ministry either as a youth pastor, pastor or on staff at a local church before starting LifeSource -- always wanting to help and care for people.

GO & DO

Fashion for Compassion

What: Girls night out with fashion show, silent auction with purses, gift certificates, jewelry and clothing

When: 6-10 p.m. Sept. 17

Where: The Garden Room in Fayetteville

Tickets: $25

Information: (479) 521-4000 or lifesourceinternati…

Tell us about your organization:

Mission: The LifeSource mission is to strengthen our community by providing customized assistance to families in need. Our approach is balanced and holistic.

Services provided: We offer food, clothing, adult education programs, after-school and summer camp programs for children, counseling, Senior Saturday lunches, and community outreach meals.

Service area: We have no limits or boundaries to the neighbors that we serve.

Average number of people served annually: More than 55,000

How is your organization's mission unique?

We try to holistically meet each family's needs by the services we provide.

Why do you work for a nonprofit organization? Do you have a personal connection to the mission? If so, what is it?

It has always been a part of my wife Terry and myself to help people in need. Through the years we have opened our home to mothers and children. We realized that there was more to helping people than just giving out food. That is why LifeSource has professional counseling, a summer day camp, after-school program for children as well as food and clothing.

Many years ago, married with small children, I found myself without a job, trying to get re-established, dealing with the frustrations that many of our families we serve today here at LifeSource [share]. I experienced firsthand the need for a hand up, not just a hand out. I am still very grateful to this day for God sending people to help me and my family -- some I knew and many I didn't -- not only with a handout (food) but more importantly a hand up! Encouragement, kindness, a smile.

What part of your job fills the most of your time?

In the summer our summer camp. The rest of the year it would be our food pantry. [I'm] always interacting with staff, volunteers and families we serve.

What have you learned on the job that you didn't expect?

That many people deal with a sense of hopelessness. I have always recognized the needs are great.

What challenges face your organization?

Always a need for finances and volunteers.

Are there volunteer opportunities in your organization? What are they?

We REALLY need van drivers for after-school care. They must be over 21 and [have] a clean background check. Tutors for our after-school program. Helping to serve during our food pantry Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday mornings 8:30-11:30. Special events as well.

What gets you out of bed to go to work in the morning?

I love the opportunity to serve others, to see a person that comes in for help and leaves with a smile and a little more hope.

What do you hope you leave behind as your legacy?

For me, a good ol' country boy that loved God and people. For LifeSource, that it will always treat people with dignity and respect as well as continuing to help meet the needs of our families.

Profiles feature introducing readers to the leaders of charitable and nonprofit organizations in our community. Contact Carin Schoppmeyer at [email protected].

NAN Profiles on 08/30/2015

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