By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

From her past work of rescuing pit bulls and working as a shelter house advocate for Hays-based Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Crisis Intervention Services, Mandy Wallgren, the new executive director at Options, said she is ready to take on a new role that  “speaks to my soul.”

Wallgren, a Phillipsburg native, took the position in early February and is currently introducing herself to the community and receiving some guidance from former Executive Director Charlotte Linsner, who led the agency for more 20 years before announcing her retirement last year.

Wallgren said one of her first goals is see Options reopen the outreach office in Phillipsburg, which was forced to closed last year due to lack of funds.

“So we can better serve people,” Wallgren said. “Unfortunately, one of the things that can happen is you have someone who needs services but they may not have access to gas money or a car or access to a phone to call us on a regular basis. And usually one-on-one, in-person services, are going to be a lot more effective.”

Wallgren said she is also working with her staff  to raise awareness about Options by becoming more involved in communities and creating partnerships with local social service agencies in the 18 counties Options serves.

Wallgren has a degree in criminal justice studies from Fort Hays State University and was working in Omaha, Neb., when decided she decided to look for a career closer to family and friends in the Hays area.