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
Ministers Meeting

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

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).