Meet Our Team: Chris Tolhurst

Chris Tolhurst, Senior Program Director of Supported Housing and WorkGuide, is celebrating 40 years of making a difference at DePaul this April! Learn more about Chris’ role and passions outside of work.

 

You’ve dedicated 40 years to DePaul, an incredible milestone! How has working at DePaul shaped you as a person?

DePaul has grown and evolved a lot since I started in 1986. Watching and being a part of that process has taught me that we need to keep learning and growing with the times. It also taught me that when people work together, they can achieve things that may have seemed insurmountable.

What other roles have you held during your time here?

I started as a counselor in a community residence and was then an assistant manager and a manager. I oversaw DePaul’s T-Shirt Factory, a textile silk screening and embroidery business that taught employment skills, and Sage House, a community residence for women with eating disorders.

I was involved in fundraising and program development for those programs, as well as for our Single-Site Supportive Housing programs. I’ve always appreciated that DePaul has opportunities to move to new positions or to add responsibilities.

What inspired you to pursue a career in your field?

I stumbled into it. One of my college friends, Joyce Tiffany, was a year ahead of me. She graduated and was hired to work in Human Resources at DePaul. When she came back to school to visit just after my senior year, she told me about the agency and helped set up a couple of interviews. I was offered the job I was interested in, and I accepted it thinking, “I’ll give it a year and see what happens.”

Can you share a memorable success story or moment that stands out from your time at DePaul?

It’s been incredible to see the long-term success and impact of our Supportive Scattered-Site Housing program.  This housing model was considered radical when it was launched over 30 years ago yet today it stands as one of our greatest testaments to what compassionate, person‑centered support can accomplish.

In addition, WorkGuide has helped people get a range of jobs from entry level to roles where the individuals we serve have made a high enough wage to buy their own homes. We have housed countless people who were living in shelters, tents, and cars. Seeing people’s lives change thanks to DePaul’s support is very gratifying.

What do you appreciate most about the teams you work with?

I’ve worked under Gillian Conde and Chris Syracuse for 30 years and I have staff that have been with me for 10, 20 and 30+ years. They are all driven to support our programs and each other. All of them are always looking for new ways to provide services and are free thinkers. I consider myself very lucky to be a part of my teams.

Can you tell us about your family, pets, and/or support system?

I have been married for 36 years and have two sons, aged 32 and 29. Laughter is one of my coping mechanisms, so I’m lucky that they all have slightly irreverent senses of humor.

What’s something in your day-to-day work that brings you joy?

I love seeing how our programs help people succeed. When I hear about people taking pride in their homes, their jobs, or the goals that they achieved, I feel very happy.

Is there a cause or issue you’re passionate about beyond work at DePaul?

One of my sons played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester. I became an enthusiastic supporter when I learned about their services and how they impact lives.

What are some of your favorite ways to spend time outside of work?

I enjoy reading, gardening, riding my bicycle, and traveling. I’ve been to 15 of the 30 current Major League Baseball (MLB) stadiums (and some that no longer exist) and have a goal of getting to all of them. I’ve also been fortunate enough to get to quite a few National Parks and have recently been to Ireland and Scotland. I hope to keep adding to these experiences.

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Thank you to Chris for 40 years of dedicated service at DePaul! Stay tuned as we continue to highlight the passionate individuals who make our work possible.