STAFF

Rachel Ramsey serves as Executive Director, a position she held until her retirement in 2006.  She returned to Steps to HOPE after three years of traveling and having fun to pick up where she left off.  Beginning work just a few months after the organization was founded in 1985; she opened the shelter and developed programs to assist victims of Domestic Violence.  Rachel often refers to this work as her “calling” and feels that this is what she was always meant to do.

Spending time with her grandchildren, reading and shopping are Rachel's  favorite pastimes.  Her favorite season is summer and favorite place to be is the beach.

Ruth Richardson, Steps to HOPE's Family Outreach Educator, facilitates the men's and women's Domestic Abuse Intervention Program, the Parenting Education Program, and organizes the Parenting Support Group as needed. Ruth has worked with students at the Virtual College and Polk County High School, and will facilitate a series of classes at Polk County Middle School in 2012, focusing on Internet safety, cyberspace bullying, sexting, conflict resolution, alcohol and tobacco abuse, healthy relationships and dating abuse. 

Cherie Wright joined Steps to HOPE as Case Manager in August 2010. Cherie provides advocacy for victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; assistance with paperwork and accompaniment to Magistrate Office and Court for a Domestic Violence Protection Order, and assists victims with information, options, safety plans, and area resources.

A native Californian, Cherie now resides in Columbus with husband Jim and their very special pets, Nikko, Bella, Holly and Candy, and is the mother of a daughter who resides in Oregon. In her spare time she loves to entertain and spend time with family and friends.

Connie Orr  is Steps to HOPE's Office Manager and Volunteer Coordinator.  In addition to her accounting and payroll responsibilities, Connie is responsible for the preparation of grant reports and financial analysis of income and expense, and works as the Second Chance Thrift Store’s volunteer coordinator. 

Connie resides in Mill Spring with her husband, Robert, and is the proud parent of two and grandparent of two adorable granddaughters. She is very active in her husband's church, with Operation Christmas Child - and with her family who live close by.  

Debra Backus joined the Steps to HOPE team as Publicity/Public Relations & Special Events Coordinator in July 2008. Debra handles graphics, press releases, advertising and in-house printing - including publications of newsletters, pamphlets, flyers, posters  and fundraising materials. She serves on special event/ fundraising committees, created and maintains Steps to HOPE's website, and wears the agency's IT hat.

A recent transplant from Vermont, Debra resides in Rutherfordton and  is the proud parent of  four remarkable adult children.  In her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with family as well as painting, photography, reading, gardening, knitting and traveling.

Drenda Brennan
Receptionist/
Administrative
Assistant 

Drenda-Michell Brennan accepted the position of Receptionist/ Administrative Assistant in January 2010. In addition to greeting all shelter visitors and answering our 5-line phone system, she is responsible for maintaining the agency's database,  typing correspondence and acknowledgements, maintaining and ordering office supplies, coordinating with the shelter staff - and generally making her co-workers and the agency look good!

For the past 12 years Drenda has home-schooled her three teenagers, making her well suited to the multi-tasking demands of her position. A Polk County High and Greenville Technical College graduate, Drenda taught conversational English skills in Japan on and off for 9 years, co-established the Upstate Christian Homeschoolers' yearbook and has been the Upstate Christian Homeschoolers' Support Group Owner and Moderator for the past 10 years. In addition to time with her family and friends, Drenda enjoys photography and music.  

CLICK for the latest edition of Steps to HOPE's newsletter, HOPE Works!