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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 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, 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

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Beth Irick

Chief Executive Officer

(803) 799-0934

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Akili Harris

Chief Financial Officer

(803) 799-2506

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Wanda Pearson

Chief Program Officer

(803) 451-7398

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Scott Vaughan

Director

Community Awareness

(803) 799-2428

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Ed Palekas

Director,
Client Engagement

(803) 799-0935

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Dave Peoples

Director
Clothing, Furniture & Food

(803) 799-3853 x312

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Sarah Moran Nevarez

Director

Supportive Health Services

(803) 779-5901

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Michelle Blackman

VITA Coordinator

(803) 799-3853 x213

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Angie Young

Benefits Coordinator II

(803) 799-3853 x413

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Nyccole Thomas

Health Benefits Coordinator I

(803) 799-2429

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Sarah Hull

Supportive Health Coordinator

(803) 799-3853 x412

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Linda Dowson

Accounting Assistant

(803) 748-8910

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Diane Lawson

Client Case Manager

(803) 799-3853 x607

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Chantell Myers

Program Coordinator

Financial Empowerment

(803) 799-3853 x606

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Al Counts

Program Coordinator
Career Improvement

(803) 799-3853 x328

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Talisha Howard

Client Intake Coordinator

(803) 799-3853 x329

Antonio Tucker

Clothing Bank Assistant

(803) 799-3853

Our Staff
OUR BOARD
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Davis Buchanan

Chair

President

Buchanan Construction Services

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Stephanie Yandle

Vice Chair

Customer Experience Manager

BlueCross BlueShield

of South Carolina

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Alexa Godwin

Secretary

Marketing Manager

Godwin Motors

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Steven Hicks, CPA

Treasurer

Capital Markets
AgFirst

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Elise Bidwell, CFP

Financial Advisor

Edward Jones

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Rev. Wes Church

Senior Pastor

First Baptist Church

Columbia

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Bill Edmonds

CEO

Northstar Leadership Solutions

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Mike Farmer

Regional Vice President

Commercial Banking

TD Bank

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Carol F. Fowler

Fowler Communications, Inc.

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David Hodges

Agent

Mass Mutual Financial Group

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Chief William "Skip" Holbrook

Columbia Police Department

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Jim Hudson

Founder and Principal

Jim Hudson

Automotive Group

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Fred Manning

Partner

Fisher Phillips, LLP

Rob Motley

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

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David Tucker

Owner/President

Corner Pantry Inc.

Tucker Oil Company

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Mitch Watson, CPA

COO

Carolinas HUB International

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Robert Williams, III

Imm. Past Chair

Restaurant Operations Manager

Lizard's Thicket

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Kyle Whetstone

President

Palmetto State Glass

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