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
Staff
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Sybil Corbin | Hagar’s House Program Manager |
| Sue E. Holec | Volunteer and Donations Manager |
| Christy Oraelosi | Family House Program Manager |
| Bernita Shipp | Hagar’s House Night Host |
| Cliff Richards | Project Take Charge Program Manager |
| Beth Vann | Executive Director |
| Marlene White | Office and Grants Administrator |
| Machelle Scandrett | HPRP Intake & Follow-Up Coordinator |
Board of Directors
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Sherri Hutter - Chair | The Coca-Cola Company |
| Diane DeJarnette – Chair-Elect | DeKalb County DFCS |
| Tanniel Robertson – Secretary | The Home Depot |
| Steve Erickson – Treasurer | Certified Public Accountant |
| Valda Brown | Georgia Department of Revenue |
| Johnnie Mae Hall Gaston | InsureUSA Insurance Agency |
| Roberta Goldbaugh | RTD Financial Advisors |
| Lucy Henner | Markets Worldwide |
| Labriah Lee | Alston & Bird, LLP |
| Jan Legg | Architect, Financial Planner |
| Derek Mayweather | Lockheed Martin |
| Carol Parr | Grace & Associates |
| Samantha Saneda | Bright Byte Consulting |
| Joe Stoner | Retired Nonprofit and Sales Professional |
| Cheryl Sullivan | Educational Consultant |
| Heather Vaseff | Christian Science Practioner |
Participating Congregations
- All Souls Fellowship
- Atlanta Friends Meeting
- Avondale Pattillo United Methodist
- Belvedere United Methodist
- Cargle Chapel A.M.E.
- Central Congregational United Church of Christ
- Central Presbyterian
- The Christian Jubilee Full Word Baptist Church
- The Church at Decatur Heights
- Clairmont Presbyterian
- Columbia Presbyterian
- Decatur First United Methodist
- Decatur Presbyterian
- Decatur United Church of Christ
- 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.
- New Life Church
- 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
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.
