Tina Wirth, who has 30 years of nonprofit and community leadership experience, has been named executive director of the Downtown Ecumenical Services Council after serving as interim leader since June.
Wirth succeeds David Clark, who departed to become the new president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida.
"Tina came to DESC to steady us through a transition and she did far more than that," board chairwoman Debbie Pierson said. "The board is confident she is the right leader for this moment for she has a clear vision for what DESC can become."
In January the nonprofit is set to relocate from its longtime home — the basement of First Presbyterian Church in downtown Jacksonville — into a standalone 10,000-square-foot facility
at 956 N. Liberty St.
The $2.9 million project, funded by a capital campaign, will expand the council's food, clothing and emergency financial assistance programs. Also, it will "anchor" the nonprofit's growing Help Hub, which connects families in crisis with coaching, referrals and transportation, the Downtown Ecumenical Services Council said.
Wirth’s work with the council began in 2024 as a consultant.
"A woman heading out the door with bags of groceries, saying thank you with a big smile. A man looking down at his new steel-toe boots and saying, ‘All right!’ Volunteers who show up week after week for every person who walks through our doors," she said. “That’s faith in action and it’s beautiful. I’m grateful to lead it and to help DESC reach more neighbors in the years ahead."
In 2025 the council provided 15,804 services, supplied groceries to 7,581 people and clothed 6,543 people, including 2,041 children, according to the nonprofit. For more information, go to descjax.org.
Beth Reese Cravey has been a reporter for The Florida Times-Union for 45 years, currently specializing in nonprofits and health. She can be reached at bcravey@jacksonville.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Downtown Jacksonville nonprofit finalizes executive director position
