Change is coming at the Downtown Mission in Windsor.
Reverend Ron Dunn issued a statement over the long weekend saying he is leaving the homeless shelter for a new job in Halifax.
After ten years at the helm of the Downtown Mission, Dunn will hold his final Bench Chat on October 21, and his last day is November 5.
He starts his new job as the CEO at Hospice Halifax on November 15.
Dunn informed the Mission's Board of Directors on October 5.
"Nobody was expecting it. I wasn't expecting it. It was just a great opportunity came up, and sometimes you gotta stop and think about what does the future look like," said Dunn. "I've always tried to make the best decision in the interest of those I serve. I think this is in the best interest of those experiencing homelessness at the Mission."
Running the Downtown Mission during the pandemic has been a 24-hour seven-days a week job for Dunn, and at times, the relationship between the Mission and Windsor City Hall has been contentious.
"There were obviously some decisions that were made, that I endorsed and would do again in a minute that has upset some folks," Dunn explained.
Related story: Windsor Downtown Mission addresses anger over move
Perhaps the most public conflict came to a head in March 2020 when a deal to sell the former Central Branch of the Windsor Public Library to the Mission fell through.
Photo of Ward 3 city councillor, Rino Bortolin, courtesy of Rino Bortolin.
At the time, Councillor Rino Bortolin suggested people should stop donating to the Downtown Mission. While the organization did nothing illegal and was under no obligation to release information about the sale, Bortolin accused it of attempting to flip the property for a profit.
"People should be questioning where the donations go," said Bortolin. "There are many organizations in this city doing similar work -- who work on a shoestring budget at one-tenth, or even one-fiftieth of the budget the Downtown Mission has."
A spokesman for the Mission's Board, Sandori Kapasi, fired back, "I can not believe that a city councillor that represents the ward the Mission is in would make that statement -- he's hurting those people who need it most."
He admitted to WindsorNewsToday.ca the experience, and others played a role in his decision to leave the city.
"If someone else is there, maybe they can work together in a more collaborative way," he said. "Hopefully, the next person who takes my spot will be able to push things forward."
Despite the controversy, Dunn said he has no hard feelings.
"When my mom died in 2016 at hospice here, I got such a peace there," he continued. "At the time, I commented that if I ever left the Mission, it would be for hospice. The fact that it's in Halifax is just a bonus. It's a beautiful city, and we're looking forward to it."
Dunn has no connection there yet but said some old high school friends have reached out to him on Facebook to say they have relocated to Nova Scotia. His children are grown, so he'll move out east with his wife, Ruth.
In the meantime, the search for Dunn's successor is underway. He said the Mission has a committee to find a new Executive Director.
After ten years on the job, Dunn does have advice for whoever takes the position next.
"Follow your heart. Do what is in the best interest of those that you serve, and don't worry about anything else," he said.