Stewpot Community Services - About Us


	Staff Frank Spencer Chief Executive Officer fspencer@stewpot.org Frank graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1970. After working 4 years with the State Employment Service in the Mississippi Delta, he returned the University Law School and received his J.D. degree from there in 1976. He spent 3 years as attorney for the Legislative PEER Committee and 22 years with the Mississippi Attorney General's Office. He retired in January, 2003 to come to work at Stewpot. Michelle Bingham Director, Sims House mbingham@stewpot.org Michelle has been with Stewpot since early in 2003. She is a member of Green Temple Church of God in Christ. She worked at Entergy before coming to Stewpot and has two children Devin, 8, and Janiel, 5. Lauren Dove Director of Volunteer Services ldove@stewpot.org Lauren Dove joined the Stewpot staff in 2006 after graduating from The University of Mississippi with a degree in Philosophy. She came to Stewpot after volunteering with several different inner-city ministries. During college Lauren worked for Mission Outfitters International both stateside and in South Africa. She is also the resident Chuck Norris expert. Janet Brunson Staff Accountant jbrunson@stewpot.org Janet is responsible for keeping Stewpot on track financially. Of course, this means that everyone loves Janet, because she's the "money lady" and can really make important things happen. When not in her third floor executive suite, Janet sings in the choir at St. Philip's and takes care of her menagerie of animals, including her husband, Skip. Bobby Bryant Security Guard Bobby keeps Stewpot peaceful and orderly. Measuring in at a formidable 6'8", Bobby's nickname is the "Gentle Giant." Daphyne Cain Director of Madison County Stewpot Daphyne serves as Director of the Stewpot feeding program in Canton, which began in February of 2002. Prior to this she lived and worked in Honolulu, Hawaii, where her husband was stationed in the military. Ollie Carter Counselor Ms. Carter counsels with a variety of Stewpot's clients. She holds her Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Reformed Theological Seminary in Clinton. Her husband, Hilliard, also a licensed counselor, holds group therapy sessions with the Brumfield men. Montel Cleaver Police Officer Officer Montel, of the Jackson Police Department, is a face you'll see at lunch most every day. He is there to make sure the Stewpot Community Kitchen is a place of peace and harmony. He has been a part of the Stewpot lunch scene for seven years. Aside from being a full-time police officer, he is also in the Army National Guard and works as a personal trainer. And if you come to Chapel one day, you might even catch him singing a song. Brooke Collins Assistant Director of the Children's Program bcollins@stewpot.org We are certainly happy to have Brooke as the assistant director of our Children's Program. Brooke works with the elementary aged kids in "The Hut." Brooke first came to Stewpot four years ago as an Americorps member. After being here four years, she knows our program as good as almost anyone. Brooke graduated from Tougaloo College in December of 2003 and attends Wells United Methodist Church. If you ever go for a visit in "The Hut" you are likely to see Brooke covered with children. Nancy Dennis Director of Food Services and Special Assistance ndennis@stewpot.org A staff member for 16 years, Nancy is Stewpot's senior employee. She directs the Food Pantry ministry and maintains records and makes applications for food grants. Nancy is a grandmother 13 times over and a great-grandmother to six. Calvin Doughty Director of Buildings and Vehicle Maintenance Calvin has been at Stewpot for 10 years. He works on the Bratton Street Project, and helps with Madison County Stewpot. He has served in the capacity of Chef and has worked at the Billy Brumfield House. He attends Greater Mt. Calvary Church. Stephanie Echols Food Pantry Manager Stephanie runs the day-to-day operations of Stewpot's Food Pantry - working with the Pantry volunteers, screening applicants and keeping the Pantry stocked. As well, she works with the Teens in the After School Program. Stephanie has been at Stewpot for three years. Sister Trinita Eddington Family Nurse Practitioner, St. Dominic Community Health Clinic Sister Trinita is a Family Nurse Practitioner and director of the St. Dominic Community Health Clinic. The clinic, made possible by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, provides routine physical and annual checkups, eye exams and treatment of acute illnesses in both children and adults. Lauren Henderson Director of Development lhenderson@stewpot.org Lauren Henderson, originally from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, joined the Stewpot family in December of 2003. Lauren has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Speech Communication. Before joining the Stewpot family, Lauren also worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Hattiesburg, MS at the Harper-Wallin Family Education Center. Cathy Funches Chaplain and Administrative Coordinator cfunches@stewpot.org Rev. Cathy Funches is Stewpot's Administrative Coordinator and Chaplain. Cathy is married with 5 children and 6 grandchildren. She has a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies with emphasis in Missions from Belhaven College. Jackie Jones Assistant Director of Matt's House mattshouse@stewpot.org Jackie first came to Stewpot as our Receptionist, and an exceptional one she was. She has now moved on to serve as the Assistant Director of Matt's House, a position she thoroughly enjoys because she gets to help people every day. Jackie is a member of Cherry Grove Baptist Church. Yolanda Kirkland Director of Teen Services ykirkland@stewpot.org LaLa, as she is known around here, is Director of the Teens Program. Originally from Indiana, she came to Jackson to attend Jackson State University. She got involved at Stewpot as a volunteer and later became a staff member. She recently graduated from JSU with her Master's Degree in Education. LaLa belongs to New Bethel Church. Heather Logan Director of Virginia's Playhouse and the Clothes Closet hlogan@stewpot.org Though she came to Stewpot as an Americorps volunteer with the Children's Program, Heather has found her niche leading the elderly and mentally disabled folks at Stewpot. She and her Virginia's Playhouse team run the Clothing Closet ministry, write poetry, play bingo and go on field trips. Heather is a Belhaven graduate and is associated with the Voice of Calvary Fellowship. Wilbur Logan Assistant Director of the Billy Brumfield House wlogan@stewpot.org Though his main duty is directing the operations of the Brumfield shelter, Wilbur is more popular for his bus driving abilities. "Mr. Wilbur" is the official (and gracious) driver of the children's program. Don London Convener In his 13th year at Stewpot , Don stays busy directing our group of Volunteer Assistants. His team has the task of keeping Stewpot clean and stocked with clothes, food and paper supplies. Don also leads worship in Chapel and runs lunch each day in the Community Kitchen. His other specialties include cooking breakfast for his team of workers and making everyone feel welcome. On Sundays, Don leads worship at Sweet Rock Church. Mary Thompson Director of Women's Services mthompson@stewpot.org Mary oversees operations at Sims House and Matt's House - making sure the needs of the women Stewpot serves are being met. Mary is a graduate of Tougaloo and has been at Stewpot since 1995. She attends church at White Rock. Greta Bates Director of Arts Program gbates@stewpot.org Greta Bates is originally from Louisiana. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from Southeastern Louisiana University, and then went on to complete her Masters Degree in Dance at Mills College in Oakland, California. Greta also completed additional course work in early childhood education. Greta taught preschool in San Francisco. She then relocated to her home state of Louisiana to teach dance at Southeastern Louisiana University and yoga at North Oaks Rehabilitative Services. She then began teaching ballet, jazz, and musical theater at Fellom Ballet School. Recently Greta moved to Jackson and got married, becoming stepmother to two beautiful children.