Meet HALO Board President Gabby Hood
Gabby Hood is a familiar face in the Racine community, serving both as a dedicated police officer and as the current President of the HALO Board of Directors. Her commitment to public service offers a unique and compassionate perspective on addressing homelessness. We sat down with Gabby to discuss her journey, her priorities, and the deep insights she's gained in serving the unhoused population.
Q: What initially drew you to get involved with HALO, and how long have you been on the board?
I joined the Board of Directors for HALO in July of 2023 and stepped into the role of President this past May. Serving people in need has always been important to me; I enjoy spending my time in a strategic and meaningful way. Getting involved at HALO has allowed me to expand my knowledge and skill set when dealing with the systemic efforts to end hunger and homelessness. It felt like the right place to put my energy to maximize my impact.
Q: What role do you see community engagement—from volunteers and donors—playing in HALO's ability to succeed?
Volunteers and donors are absolutely vital for our success. Both provide essential resources that help fuel our mission and enable us to grow. While donors provide the inevitable financial support that keeps our operations running, volunteers contribute invaluable time, skills, and labor. They are directly involved in helping our guests receive the services that assist them on their journey toward self-sufficiency. Simply put, we cannot do what we do without that community partnership.
Q: As both a police officer and the president of HALO, what are some of the most common misconceptions you encounter regarding homelessness in our community?
I think the most common misconceptions surrounding the topic of homelessness would be the assumptions—that individuals choose to be homeless, that they're lazy, that they're all on drugs or drunk, and that they should just easily "find a job."
I always challenge people to remember that there’s more to someone’s story than what meets the eye. Continued assumptions only fuel harmful narratives that do not address the root causes of being unhoused. The bottom line is that all individuals, housed or unhoused, are deserving of empathy and support.
Q: How does your experience as a police officer inform your work as president of the HALO board?
Being a police officer has opened the door for me to the complex challenges that people experiencing homelessness face. I've encountered individuals in crisis firsthand—not just legal troubles, but profound mental health struggles, addiction, trauma, and, most importantly, a lack of support systems.
Those experiences pushed me even more to get involved with solutions. Now as Board President, I have used that experience to help advocate for compassionate solutions. Building relationships is foundational when dealing with vulnerable populations. Everyone deserves safety and dignity, and we will continue to use that approach in HALO every single day.
Q: What are your top priorities for HALO's future?
Homelessness across the country is a crisis, and Racine County is no exception. My top priority for HALO's future is to continue to assist individuals on their pathway to self-sufficiency so that we can provide them with the best possible outcome. Beyond that, we need to focus on navigating financial support from our community so that we are able to serve those in need, and, critically, addressing our rising community need head-on. Our goal is always to restore hope and stability for every individual who walks through our doors.
Gabby Hood's dedicated service is a powerful asset to HALO, reinforcing our commitment to compassionate, informed action. Her leadership ensures that HALO continues to be a safe haven and a crucial step toward self-sufficiency for everyone in our community.
Ready to join the mission?
Your time and talent make a direct impact! If you are interested in volunteering or joining our Board of Directors, please email Darlene at dlangdon@haloinc.org.
