Former San Mateo County Supervisor Mike Nevin may make a perfect fit to succeed Elizabeth Gheleta as executive director of the Service League, which serves prisoners in county jails and their families.
Before entering politics in Daly City, Mr. Nevin was a police officer in San Francisco. Before that, he volunteered for the Catholic Youth Organization, loved social work, and got a medal from the Pope.
“It’s like coming home,” he says of his new job — which follows an unsuccessful run for state Senate to replace Sen. Jackie Speier.
Mr. Nevin pays tribute to his predecessor and hopes to build on her legacy. “She is a very special lady,” he says. “She left a legacy, not just for the Service League, but for people who need support the most. She was always there for the underdog.”
Mr. Nevin sees three challenges ahead. He needs to build up funding for the Service League, which has run in the red for the last two years. “We have to market ourselves,” he says.
Part of marketing is to increase recognition of the Service League and what it does, particularly in the North County. Even though the jails are in Redwood City, the prisoners come from all parts of the county — and return there, he says. “I want to make us one of the lead nonprofit agencies in San Mateo County,” he says.
Mr. Nevin also wants to recruit a new generation of volunteers to build on those recruited by Ms. Gheleta.
The Service League particularly needs money and volunteers.
Anyone interested may contact Mr. Nevin at 363-4664, or mnevin@serviceleague.org. For information, go to serviceleague.org.
The Service League is located at 727 Middlefield Road in Redwood City.
By Marion Softky
