Friendship Center Announces New Director of Finance

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- In its ongoing mission to restructure its management staff and recover the agency to its former levels of excellence, The Friendship Center of Montgomery County has hired Elaine Coltharp as its new director of finance.

Coltharp comes to TFC with nine years of experience in nonprofit accounting and two decades of experience in accounting for local operations. Coltharp served as the Director of Finance for Montgomery County Youth Services, where she helped lead the agency during two critical years while the organization was without an executive director.

She graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1975with a BBA in accounting.

The Friendship Center experienced a financial crisis eighteen months ago, at which time the organization had to make drastic cuts to its transportation and nutrition program services. Since that time, TFC has reduced spending and retired its debts, resulting in eight months “in the black,” notes Nancy Harrington, agency president.

“We’re delighted to welcome Elaine in joining us as The Friendship Center prepares for the huge role we will play in the lives of the growing number of seniors in our community,” she said.

The Friendship Center is a United Way agency funded in part by the Community Development Block Grant program of Montgomery County. Primary services are Meals-On-Wheels, group activities and senior dining daily at one of five activity centers in the county, and transportation for seniors and the disabled. The agency’s newest program, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, is a food pantry for seniors in the community who are experiencing a budget crisis due to the rising costs of food and fuel.

For more information about The Friendship Center, call 936-756-5828 or visit the agency’s Web site at the link below.