Aug. 19, 2004 – Michal Rhymer-Charles is now working at a different office, but she's still helping others. She left her longtime position as executive director of Family Resource Center in mid-July to become assistant commissioner in the Human Services Department.
"It's a good challenge for me. I feel like I will have a wider impact," she said of the territorywide post.
Rhymer-Charles spent 10 years with Family Resource Center on St. Thomas, beginning her tenure at the not-for-profit agency as a social worker and shelter supervisor when the agency was known as Women's Resource Center.
She said that when she was offered the assistant commissioner post, she saw it as the next step in her career and professional development. "Family Resource Center had prepared me well," she said.
Rhymer-Charles is well thought of by her peers.
"She was definitely compassionate and committed to the work," Clema Lewis, co-director of the Women's Coalition of St. Croix, said. Lewis said Rhymer-Charles worked well with members of other agencies including the Women's Coalition.
Rhymer-Charles returned home to St. Thomas from Oral Roberts University in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in counseling in her suitcase. She first worked for Catholic Charities at Bethlehem House before moving to Women's Resource Center.
With Rhymer-Charles's departure from Family Resource Center, Sandra O. Hodge has assumed the position of acting executive director.
Hodge has worked at Family Resource Center as a therapist and senior social worker since 1999. After graduating from Long Island University with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in counseling, she worked in the social service field in New York before returning home to St. Thomas.
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