top of page
sc-map.png
MISSION FOR THE MIDLANDS

 

To increase the economic self-sufficiency of people experiencing poverty in the Midlands through crisis assistance and sustainability programs.

OUR HISTORY

 

In 1982, The Cooperative Ministry was founded by five churches (First Presbyterian Church, Main Street Methodist, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Washington Street United Methodist Church, and First Baptist Church) in downtown Columbia. The goal was to establish a collaborative method of assisting those in need while preventing the duplication of services. The Cooperative Ministry began offering services on Monday, Sept. 20, 1982.

​

Today, The Cooperative Ministry is supported by 61 faith partners joining with corporations, family foundations, community organizations, government agencies, small businesses, and thousands of individuals. The Cooperative Ministry is debt free and governed by a local board of directors. Of all expenses, 89 percent go to support client services. Volunteerism has always been important to The Cooperative Ministry. Today, volunteers comprise 34 percent of our workforce, serving thousands of hours at our building on West Beltline Boulevard.

OUR STAFF

Beth.jpg

Beth Irick

Chief Executive Officer

(803) 799-0934

Julia Kennard.jpg

Julia Kennard

Director
Finance

(803) 799-2506

Wanda Pearson.jpg

Wanda Pearson

Chief Program Officer

(803) 451-7398

SV-7.jpg

Scott Vaughan

Director

Community Awareness

(803) 799-2428

Ed Palekas.jpg

Ed Palekas

Director
Client Engagement

(803) 799-0935

Dave Peoples.jpg

Dave Peoples

Director
Clothing, Furniture & Food

(803) 799-3853 x312

Sarah Nevarez.jpg

Sarah Moran Nevarez

Director

Supportive Health Services

(803) 779-5901

Michelle Blackman.jpg

Michelle Blackman

VITA Coordinator

(803) 799-3853 x213

Angie Young.jpg

Angie Young

Benefits Coordinator II

(803) 799-3853 x413

Nycolle Thomas.jpg

Nyccole Thomas

Health Benefits Coordinator I

(803) 799-2429

Sarah Hull.jpg

Sarah Hull

Supportive Health Coordinator

(803) 799-3853 x412

Kaitlin Lake Headshot 2024.png

Kaitlin Lake

Accounting Coordinator

(803) 748-8910

Diane Lawson.jpg

Diane Lawson

Financial Health Coach

(803) 799-3853 x607

Chantell Myers.jpg

Chantell Myers

Program Coordinator

Financial Empowerment

(803) 799-3853 x606

Al Counts.jpg

Al Counts

Program Coordinator
Career Improvement

(803) 799-3853 x328

Felicia Young.jpg

Felicia Young

Client Intake Coordinator

(803) 799-3853 x329

Mae Ackerman.jpg

Mae Ackerman

Office Receptionist

(803) 799-3853

Our Staff
OUR BOARD
BW Stephanie Yandle head shot 2024.jpg

Stephanie Yandle

Chair

Customer Experience Manager

BlueCross BlueShield

of South Carolina

Alexa Godwin bw.jpg

Alexa Godwin

Vice Chair

Marketing Manager

Godwin Motors

manning-fred.jpg

Fred Manning

Secretary

Partner

Fisher Phillips, LLP

steven-hicks.jpg

Steven Hicks, CPA

Treasurer

Capital Markets
AgFirst

Elise Bidwell BW.jpg

Elise Bidwell, CFP

Financial Advisor

Edward Jones

davis-buchanon.jpg

Davis Buchanan

Imm. Past Chair

President

Buchanan Construction Services

wes church (1).png

Rev. Wes Church

Senior Pastor

First Baptist Church

Columbia

bill-edmonds.jpg

Bill Edmonds

CEO

Northstar Leadership Solutions

mike-farmer.jpg

Mike Farmer

Regional Vice President

Commercial Banking

TD Bank

carol-fowler.jpg

Carol F. Fowler

Fowler Communications, Inc.

Lisa Gadsonbw.png

Lisa Gadson

Vice President, Branch Manager

South State Bank

Jimmy Herlong Headshot bw.png

Jimmy Herlong

Owner

Midas Auto  Service

chief-holbrook.jpg

Chief William "Skip" Holbrook

Columbia Police Department

Rob Motley (1).jpg

Rob Motley

President

IOA

mark_scriven.jpg

Mark Scriven, CPA

Principal

Elliott Davis, LLC

David Tucker bw.png

David Tucker

Owner/President

Corner Pantry Inc.

Tucker Oil Company

mitch-watson.jpg

Mitch Watson, CPA

COO

Carolinas HUB International

Kyle Whetstone no crop.jpg

Kyle Whetstone

President

Palmetto State Glass

bottom of page