About DCM
Mission
Decatur Cooperative Ministry helps families facing homelessness settle into safe, stable homes and build healthy lives filled with peace, hope and opportunity.
Core Values
- Fairness
- Empowerment
- Appreciation for Diversity
- Service with Humility
- Stewardship of Resources
- Compassion
Board of Directors
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Fidel Agbor | Analyst, Triage Consulting Group |
| Cecilia Armstrong | Certified Public Accountant |
| Gregg Bedol | Managing Director, RedZone Consulting LLC |
| Valda Brown | Tax Examiner, Georgia Department of Revenue |
| Harold Buckley, Jr. | Partner, Wilson Brock & Irby, L.L.P. |
| Dr. Randall Dobbs | Clinical Associate Professor, Georgia State University |
| Rev. Sharyn Dowd | Pastor, Spiritual Formation/Mission Engagement, First Baptist Church of Decatur |
| Rev. Tom Hagood | Senior Pastor/Head of Staff, Columbia Presbyterian Church |
| Lucy Henner | President, Markets Worldwide |
| Labriah Lee | Attorney, Alston & Bird LLP |
| Carol Parr | Certified Public Accountant |
| Tanniel Robertson | National Print Advertising Coordinator, The Home Depot |
| Vickie Roland | Director of Sales Education, Relay Health/McKesson |
| Joe Stoner | Retired, Experienced Nonprofit Leader and Board Member |
| Bob Stubbs | Regional Counsel, Tishman Speyer |
| Dr. Cheryl Sullivan | Educational Consultant |
| Wendy Vocelka | Southeast Area Assurance Quality Implementation Leader, Ernst & Young LLP |
Staff
| Name | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Marlene White | Interim Executive Director | |
| Loretta Aqeel | Office and Grants Administrator (PT) | |
| Sue E. Holec | Director of Development | |
| Sybil Corbin | Hagar’s House, Program Manager | |
| Christy Oraelosi | Family House, Program Manager | |
| Cliff Richards | Project Take Charge, Program Manager | |
| Machelle Scandrett | PTC Intake and Follow-Up Coordinator, and Volunteer Coordinator (PT) | |
| LaTanga Montgomery | Siemer Family Stability Initiative, Case Manager | |
| Dimethia Hasan | SSVF Case Manager | |
| Ricky Keys | SSVF Case Manager (PT) | |
| Shirley Porter | Interim Hagar’s House Night Host, weekdays | |
| Teressa Hale | Hagar’s House Night Host, weekends |
Participating Congregations
- All Souls Fellowship
- Antioch Lithonia Baptist
- Atlanta Friends Meeting
- Avondale Pattillo United Methodist
- Congregation Bet Haverim
- Cargle Chapel A.M.E.
- Central Congregational United Church of Christ
- Central Presbyterian
- The Church at Decatur Heights
- Clairmont Presbyterian
- Columbia Presbyterian
- Decatur Bible Chapel
- Decatur First United Methodist
- Decatur Presbyterian
- Ebenezer Missionary Baptist
- Emory Presbyterian
- Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
- Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross
- First Baptist Church of Decatur
- First Christian Church of Decatur (Disciples of Christ)
- First Church of Christ, Scientist, Decatur
- Hillside Presbyterian
- Holy Trinity Parish, Episcopal
- Lutheran Church of the Messiah
- Mt. Zion A.M.E.
- North Decatur Presbyterian
- North Decatur United Methodist
- Oak Grove United Methodist
- Oakhurst Baptist
- Oakhurst Presbyterian
- Peace Lutheran
- Ray of Hope Christian (Disciples of Christ)
- Scott Boulevard Baptist
- St. Paul Lutheran
- St. Thomas More Catholic
- Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta
- University Heights United Methodist
- Wesley Chapel United Methodist
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.
