The board of directors of the Arlington Life Shelter have selected Stephanie Melchert as
the group’s next executive director, following a search that began this summer and concluded last month. She will take
the helm of the organization in November.
Melchert, an Iowa State graduate who most recently served as executive director of Cooke County United Way, brings
more than 20 years of non-profit management experience to her new role at the Shelter, including stints in senior
leadership roles at Victory Therapy Center, Easter Seals North Texas, Girls Inc. of Tarrant County, and Helping Restore
Ability. Melchert’s areas of expertise include fiscal management, grant writing, special event management, and
marketing communications.
The Arlington Life Shelter was established in 1987 as a church-based, volunteer-managed operation providing overnight
shelter for the homeless. Since that time, the organization has served more than 25,000 children and adults, and has
also expanded to provide daytime programming, homeless prevention resources, and comprehensive rehabilitation
services.
In June, the Shelter began serving clients in a newly-constructed $5 million/12,000 square-foot facility in downtown
Arlington, following a successful capital campaign that began in 2017. In addition to expanded client capacity, the new
facility features family bedrooms, enhanced children’s programming space (including an open-air playground), and
expanded and technology-rich classroom and day spaces for job training, job search, case management, and recreation.
Take a virtual tour of the new Arlington Life Shelter facility.
325 W Division St / Arlington, TX / 76010 arlingtonlifeshelter.org @arlingtonlifeshelter and @arlington.life.shelter
Brad Jay, president of the board of directors, said that Melchert joins the shelter at a critical moment in the
organization’s history. “Her background in fundraising, combined with her executive leadership skills, will be vital to our
success as we look to the future and the endless possibilities to positively impact our community for years to come,”
said Jay. “We believe that her leadership will prove an asset to our mission and to the Arlington community, and we
couldn’t be happier to have her on board.”
