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November 9, 2006

Group to launch center for non-profits

By Liz McMahan

Neighbors Building Neighborhoods took a giant step forward in its idea for a one-stop center for non-profit groups Thursday evening as the board introduced the executive director and chose an official name for the project.

Lisa Raasch will begin work immediately on setting up Muskogee Non-Profit Resource Center, which will be open in two or three months, said Kathy Hewitt, chairperson of the city’s Neighbors Building Neighborhoods Board.

The board was established several years ago as a result of developing a strategic plan for Muskogee’s future, Hewitt said. They quickly determined there needed to be a resource center where non-profit groups could go for help in everything from developing budgets and Web sites to finding grant monies.

A gift from the estate of the late Russell Ruby helped make the longtime dream become a reality, she said.

Offices at 209 N. Second St. have been renovated and remodeled to give the resource center a home.

“Of the 100 or so non-profits in the area, I think they are at all different levels of maturity and needs,” Raasch said. “They might be interested in help with setting up a Web site, budgets, human resources — I think there is a broad range of issues that we might help with.”



Meet Lisa Raasch



Age: 34.

Hometown: Reared in Miami, Okla., moved to Muskogee in March.

Family: Husband, Rob; 3-year-old daughter, Riley.

Hobbies: Writing, reading, canoeing, renovating home.

Church: Grace Episcopal Church.

Education: Bachelor’s degree from William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo.; master’s degree in political management from George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Experience: Advocate for local, regional and national groups on a variety of subjects.

Passionate about: Literacy and environmental causes.



Reach Liz McMahan at 918-684-2926 orClick Here to Send Email

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