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Executive director of restaurant workers’ advocacy group in Southwest Colorado resigns

In the Weeds co-founder says it’s time for fresh perspectives, new leadership
Blaine Bailey, left, will be stepping down as executive director of In The Weeds after four years at the helm. The organization has been instrumental in providing mental health resources for restaurant industry workers. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)

In the Weeds, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of restaurant and hospitality workers in Southwest Colorado, is searching for new leadership after its executive director and co-founder announced Wednesday he is stepping down.

Blaine Bailey, who founded In the Weeds in 2020, plans to transition out of the role over the next month or so, according to a news release Wednesday.

“Since founding In the Weeds, we’ve always prioritized the organization’s ability to thrive beyond its original leadership,” Bailey said in the release. “I’m confident that this transition will allow In the Weeds to continue expanding its reach, while bringing in fresh perspectives that are rooted in nonprofit leadership experience.”

In an interview, Bailey echoed those sentiments, saying he was never supposed to run the nonprofit long-term.

“I didn't go to school or work in nonprofits before all this. It was lot more work on my end – having to learn everything as I go,” he said.

Bailey and co-founder John Rowe started In the Weeds to advocate for healthier lifestyles for restaurant employees. The organization addresses issues related to the industry's demanding hours, substance use problems and mental health issues.

Through its programs, In the Weeds addresses substance use prevention, provides workforce development opportunities, and creates a sustainable and healthy restaurant community.

Bailey said the suicide of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain had a profound impact on the creation of In The Weeds, inspiring him and Rowe to take action and pursue their mission helping the mental health of restaurant industry employees.

He said that the COVID-19 pandemic worsened mental health challenges in the industry, leaving many workers uncertain about job security and struggling to make a living with reduced hours.

He explained that the mental health focus of the organization is another reason he believes In The Weeds would benefit from new leadership moving forward.

“I didn't go to school for psychology, therapy and those sorts of things,” he said, noting that his experience has shown him how crucial those skills are for someone in the executive director role.

Although Bailey has been instrumental in launching In The Weeds, he admitted that his passion for the program has led to burnout. In The Weeds serves about 150 restaurant workers per year.

But recently, the organization had to get creative when The Hive lost its space on Main Avenue in April. In The Weeds was sharing space with The Hive which allowed the organization to use The Hive’s skate park for its yoga program.

After The Hive had to vacate its building as a result of the building’s sale, In The Weeds implemented a punch pass system with various yoga studios across Durango.

“It's been on pause for a couple months for fundraising, but we have money for 150 to 200 passes to local yoga studios, and we went through 700 in the first six months,” Bailey said.

The position of executive director is now open for applications, with submissions accepted through Oct. 31. Bailey said the organization is looking to hire internally first but is open to outside applicants if they are the right fit for the organization.

“It's an awesome organization to be with, and it's been amazing, but it's one of those capacity pieces and it's my time to move on,” Bailey said.

tbrown@durangoherald.com



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