About DCM

Mission

Decatur Cooperative Ministry alleviates and prevents homelessness while affirming the dignity of each family.

Vision

To lead our diverse congregations and community in ending homelessness by:

  • Providing individualized, comprehensive services to homeless families
  • Raising awareness and providing education about homelessness and its systemic causes
  • Advocating for social justice and long-term solutions to homelessness
 

Core Values

  • Fairness
  • Justice
  • Empowerment
  • Responsibility
  • Appreciation for Diversity
  • Serving in Humility
  • Stewardship of Resources
  • Compassion
Ministers Meeting

Staff

Name Position
Loretta Aqeel Office and Grant Administrator
Sybil Corbin Hagar’s House Program Manager
Sue E. Holec Volunteer and Donations Coordinator
Christy Oraelosi Family Transitional Housing Program Manager
Bob Peach Director of Resource Development
Bonita Pruitt Hagar’s House Night Host
Cliff Richards Project Take Charge Program Manager
Beth Vann Executive Director
Marlene White Hagar’s House and Project Take Charge Case Manager

Board of Directors

Name Position
Valda Brown
 Georgia Department of Revenue
Harold Buckley, Jr. - Chair
 Attorney, Alston & Bird, LLP
Diane Dejarnette
 DeKalb County DFCS
Steve Erickson Certified Public Accountant
Rev. Lee Fullerton North Decatur UMC
Johnnie Mae Hall Gaston InsureUSA Insurance Agency
Roberta Goldbaugh RTD Financial Advisors
George Hickman Retired, City Schools of Decatur
Sherri Hutter The Coca-Cola Company
Jan Legg Architect
Derek Mayweather Lockheed Martin
Sandra Martin Gensler
Dr. Amy Redd Powers Ferry Psychological Association
Yolanda Ross US Securities & Exchange Commission
Samantha Bradford-Saneda Bright Byte Consulting
Carla Stanford Winnona Park Elementary School
Aaron Treadwell Candler School of Theology

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Participating Congregations

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History

Founding

Decatur Cooperative Ministry was founded in 1969 and has been actively involved in serving those in need in DeKalb County and Metro Atlanta ever since.  The organization grew out of a partnership between the principal of Clairemont Elementary School and three Decatur churches. Their common goal was to address community concerns for children with no after-school care. 

Early Years

During its first decade, the ministry coordinated the services provided by local churches, identified gaps, and started programs to fill those gaps. It functioned as a “seed-planting” organization, and once programs were able to survive on their own, DCM launched them into independent programs or agencies. 

New Model

Over the years the organization grew, and in the early 1980s, DCM changed its model and began to create and nurture programs geared toward preventing and alleviating homelessness.  DCM created three such programs between 1983 and 1990, including its current transitional housing, shelter, and homelessness prevention program.

Cooperation

The organization has a long history of encouraging and facilitating collaboration among diverse congregations, groups, and individuals.  DCM currently partners with over 35 congregations from 14 denominations as well as private foundations, universities and schools, government agencies, community groups, the United Way, MARTA, and local businesses in order to carry out its mission.

View a detailed history of DCM (pdf).

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