Trevor Project Executive Director Charles Robbins Resigned on April 8
In an email sent from the board of directors of The Trevor Project, it was announced that Charles Robbins, the executive director of The Trevor Project, resigned on April 8.
The email says nothing about the reasons for Robbins’s departure, and the board notes it “appreciates Charles’ years of service and wishes him well in his future endeavors.”
Already, however, The Trevor Project website details that David McFarland is serving as the interim executive director and chief executive officer.
According to his now-removed biography on the site, still available via Google cache, in Robbins’s “four-year tenure at The Trevor Project, the full-time staff has grown from five to 24 and the annual budget has quadrupled to $4 million.”
In the midst of this past fall’s attention on LGBT youth suicide, The Trevor Project received significant media attention. In October 2010, Metro Weekly profiled Robbins, and in a wide-ranging interview he said that what drew him to The Trevor Project was “at the core … the mission, and the fact that it’s the only organization working on suicide-prevention efforts for gay youth.”
According to The Trevor Project site, McFarland “has been instrumental in directing national and regional strategy for MTV Networks and Lifetime Television, and helping to launch the first education, fitness and youth-focused On-Demand networks, Studio 4.” His involvement with The Trevor Project has included service as a Trevor Lifeline counselor, vice chair of the board of directors and chair of the board of directors.
It was not immediately known why the news of resignation, which happened this past week, was just released tonight.
The full text of the email is below:
Dear Friends,
The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth announces Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Charles Robbins resigned his post April 8, 2011. The organization appreciates Charles’ years of service and wishes him well in his future endeavors.
As the Board begins a national search for a replacement, Chair of the Board of Directors David McFarland has assumed the role of Executive Director on an interim basis. Board Vice Chair Ricky Strauss is the acting interim Chair of the Board. David has served in a national leadership capacity at a number of Fortune 100 corporations in the entertainment and financial management arenas, bringing extensive operational, creative and executive leadership experience to this interim role, along with experience as a Trevor Lifeline Counselor, Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Board. We are excited to engage his leadership through this transition period.
The Trevor Project Board of Directors and staff will continue the organization’s work to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including our nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone. Thank you for your continued support through this new and exciting stage of The Trevor Project’s growth.
All the best,
The Trevor Project Board of Directors
Metro Weekly will have more information as the story develops. McFarland was not available for comment at this late hour, although an email request for information was sent to him.
[Photo: Robbins]
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