Mike Feely has resigned from his position as director of the St. Andrews Center, citing personal reasons.
"Starting the St. Andrews Center in 2004 was one of the joys of my life and it was a wonderful experience to watch it grow, change and to see all the marvelous things the center has been and is," said Mr. Feely, who turned in his resignation earlier this week.
"As I move on to finish a graduate school degree and work on some other projects, I look forward to continuing to support the St. Andrews Center and all the great ministries that are part of it," he added.
Mr. Feely founded the St. Andrews Center, a consortium of ministries housed in the former St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Highland Park.
The center provides after-school programs for inner-city children, has a community garden, and houses organizations that provide services to lower-income families and the immigrant communities, including English classes and a health clinic.
"We have great admiration and appreciation for the work (Mr. Feely) did," said Joseph Madida, president of the center's board. "He founded the organization and led us for the last five years with his vision that we will continuo to work towards."
"As a board, we are sad he will no longer be here, but we are very thankful for the time he has been here and what he has done," Mr. Madida said.
There will be no changes made to the St. Andrews Center, he said, adding the board is not looking now for another executive director.