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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 53 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, 90 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 Irick
Chief Executive Officer
(803) 799-0934
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Akili Harris
Chief Financial Officer
(803) 799-2506
Wanda Pearson
Chief Program Officer
(803) 451-7398
Scott Vaughan
Director
Community Awareness
(803) 799-2428
Ed Palekas
Director,
Client Engagement
(803) 799-0935
Dave Peoples
Director
Clothing, Furniture & Food
(803) 799-3853 x312
Sarah Moran Nevarez
Director
Supportive Health Services
(803) 779-5901
Rhemie Gantz
Volunteer & Reception Manager
(803) 799-0932
Maggie Fant
VITA Coordinator
(803) 799-3853 x213
Angie Young
Benefits Coordinator II
(803) 799-3853 x413
Nyccole Thomas
Health Benefits Coordinator I
(803) 799-2429
Sarah Hull
Supportive Health Coordinator
(803) 799-3853 x412
Linda Dowson
Accounting Assistant
(803) 748-8910
Diane Lawson
Emergency Solutions Grant
Coordinator
(803) 799-3853 x603
Chantell Myers
Program Coordinator
Sustainability Programs
(803) 799-3853 x606
Al Counts
Program Coordinator
Sustainability Programs
(803) 799-3853 x328
Michelle Blackman
Client Intake Coordinator
(803) 799-3853 x329
OUR BOARD
Davis Buchanan
Chairman
President
Buchanan Construction Services
Stephanie Yandle
Vice Chairwoman
Customer Experience Manager
BlueCross BlueShield
of South Carolina
Alexa Godwin
Secretary
Marketing Manager
Godwin Motors
Steven Hicks, CPA
Treasurer
Capital Markets
AgFirst
Kamri Barber
Associate
Nexsen Pruet, LLC
Elise Bidwell, CFP
Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
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Rev. Wes Church
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church
Columbia
Bill Edmonds
CEO
Northstar Leadership Solutions
Mike Farmer
Immediate Past Chairman
Regional Vice President
Commercial Banking
TD Bank
Carol F. Fowler
Fowler Communications, Inc.
David Hodges
Agent
Mass Mutual Financial Group
Chief William "Skip" Holbrook
Columbia Police Department
Jim Hudson
Founder and Principal
Jim Hudson
Automotive Group
Rob Motley
Regional President
IOA
Milton Pope
Principal
Parker Poe Consulting, LLC
Mark Scriven, CPA
Principal
Elliott Davis, LLC
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Rev. Derek Thomas
Senior Minister
First Presbyterian Church
Columbia
Mitch Watson, CPA
COO
Carolinas HUB International
David Tucker
Owner/President
Corner Pantry Inc.
Tucker Oil Company
Robert Williams, III
Imm. Past Chairman
Restaurant Operations Manager
Lizard's Thicket
