Gateways Timeline: Old charity, new leaders
THE NEWS TRIBUNE
1890: Woman’s Lend-a-hand League founded in Tacoma to care for orphans.
1908: Charity changes name to Children’s Industrial Home of Tacoma.
1926: Jessie Dyslin Boys Ranch founded in Summit to care for boys who age out of the home.
1970s: Children’s Industrial Home operates Tacoma Girl’s Club.
1988: Claude Carlson becomes president of Children’s Industrial Home.
1989: Children’s Industrial Home takes over Puget Sound Center and Cushman House from Puget Sound Social Services.
July 1, 1990: Jessie Dyslin Boys Ranch rejoins Children’s Industrial Home of Tacoma.
1995: Children’s Industrial Home changes name to Gateways for Youth and Families.
Oct. 9, 2003: Political consultant Jamie Beletz attends Gateways benefit dinner and auction, “A Taste of Italy,” at Mama Stortini’s restaurant in University Place. A short time later, he and wife Mel Curtiss join group’s board of directors.
November 2003: Beletz and associate John Bankston file application with City of Tacoma to put on Fourth of July festival along Ruston Way. The effort fails.
2004: Puget Sound Center closes. Carlson ousted as Gateways paid president.
July 15, 2005: Gateways finance committee meeting. Beletz asks committee members for their support to take over organization of 2006 Freedom Fair. Motion passes unanimously.
October 2005: Gateways for Youth and Families makes unsuccessful bid to take over Freedom Fair.
Dec. 14, 2005: Gateways board meeting. Beletz reports saving several thousand dollars by switching insurance; names submitted for board include Audrey Chase, Raul deLeon, Alisa deLeon, Mike Sando; Curtiss moves that board authorize Personnel Committee to adopt revisions to CEO job description and that board immediately thereafter begin process of hiring a CEO.
January 2006: Beletz becomes interim paid president of Gateways for Youth and Families.
March 15, 2006: Beletz receives license for nonprofit gambling manager from Washington State Gambling Commission.
April 7, 2006: Curtiss submits application for Gateways president job to Tim Reid, who was being paid to conduct the search.
April 27, 2006: Gateways agrees to purchase option agreement that would sell charity’s old “Home on the Hill” property to Tacoma Rescue Mission for $1 million.
Aug. 8, 2006: Fire destroys one of three buildings at “Home on the Hill” property.
October 2006: Curtiss takes over as president of Gateways for Youth and Families.
January 2007: Beletz leaves Gateways board, citing The News Tribune’s reporting.
