Downtown Ecumenical Services Council Named New Leader
The Jacksonville nonprofit appointed a permanent executive director as it prepares for a 2027 facility expansion.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in People
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The Downtown Ecumenical Services Council appointed Tina Wirth as executive director following her tenure as interim leader since June 2026. This leadership change occurs as the organization plans a relocation to a new 10,000-square-foot facility in January 2027.
Why it matters
The board selected Wirth to guide the nonprofit's growth strategy and oversee the transition to a new $2.9 million facility. The organization, which provides critical coaching and referral services, aims to maintain the operational continuity established during Wirth's interim period.
The council delivered 15,804 services in 2025, including support for 7,581 grocery recipients and 6,543 individuals receiving clothing. The new facility project carries a $2.9 million price tag.
The players
Tina Wirth
Executive director of the Downtown Ecumenical Services Council with 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience.
David Clark
President and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida and former executive director of the council.
Downtown Ecumenical Services Council
A Jacksonville nonprofit that provides crisis assistance, including coaching, grocery, and clothing services.
The details
The Downtown Ecumenical Services Council operates a Help Hub model that integrates coaching and transportation to assist families in crisis. The transition to the 10,000-square-foot space at 956 N. Liberty St. is supported by a capital campaign that financed the $2.9 million project. Wirth, who joined as a consultant in 2024, will manage the move while continuing the nonprofit's core outreach functions.
Timeline
2024: Tina Wirth began working with the council as a consultant.
2025: The council provided 15,804 services.
June 2026: Tina Wirth began serving as interim leader.
January 2027: The nonprofit will relocate to a new facility.
Market Landscape
This leadership appointment follows the nonprofit's 2025 service delivery benchmark of 15,804 units. The transition marks a strategic pivot as the organization scales its footprint relative to the 2025 activity levels.
Operators should monitor how the nonprofit's capacity shift in 2027 influences local service demand and supply chain partnerships. Management changes at major service providers often trigger adjustments in stakeholder engagement and vendor requirements.
The takeaway
The move to a 10,000-square-foot facility signifies a major scale-up in operational capacity for the organization. Business owners should review their own long-term lease or facility requirements against similar planned growth windows.
What happens next
The nonprofit is scheduled to relocate its operations to 956 N. Liberty St. in January 2027.
Further reading
For more on executive transitions in the area, read our People section.
More information
Find further details on the organization's programs and upcoming move on the Downtown Ecumenical Services Council website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Florida Times-Union.
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