Brenda Lee-Longmire – Board President. Brenda is sharing her expertise and experience in hopes of bringing great value to Crossroads Ministry. She is involved in Crossroads fundraiser ‘Tea for Two’ by hosting a table, coordinating the silent auction portion of the event and is taking a major role in developing new fundraisers. Brenda currently holds certifications in; International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), CAP-OM (Certified Administrative Professional-Organizational Management). She has been a member of the IAAP Oak Ridge Chapter since 2005, serving as; Advisor to the President, Past President, President Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Board Member, Newsletter Editor Oak Ridge Chapter & TN Division, TN Division, Annual Meeting Planning Committee, Chaired Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon (APW) and Chaired Chapter Fundraisers and community services activities.
She is currently employed by ORAU as Senior Administrative Support Specialist in the IT Department and has worked at ORAU for over 21 years. Education includes: Graduated from Oak Ridge High School; Anderson County Centers for Occupational Development – High Tech Office Skills and Roane State Community College – Management, Office Administration, Office Systems & Technology and Advanced Organizational Management. Brenda is an Oak Ridge native and enjoys painting and arts/crafts.
Jean Norris – Treasurer. Jean attended a “Tea for Two” event in 2015 as a guest; and, after learning about the scope and goals of Crossroads Ministry, knew that she wanted to be involved! Having grown up in a very loving and supportive family, she is keenly aware that not all young women share that experience in today’s complicated world. Always being a very independent woman, she seeks to help these at-risk young women find a way to adapt, function, and succeed with their lives and families in today’s fast-paced world. She also serves as the President of the Foundation Board for the Emory Valley Center.
Jean graduated from The University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Business Administration and holds a Certified Administrative Professional designation with a specialty in Organizational Management (CAP-OM) from the International Association of Administrative Professionals. She is retired now having worked at the Y-12 Weapons Complex for 32 years and also Energy Solutions for 10 years. Jean brings a positive and enthusiastic attitude and possibility-thinking mindset to her role on the Board.
Karen Kirby – Secretary, Karen has been involved with Crossroads Ministry since its inception and feels that her background of building three barns and managing the building of her home, in addition to her patience and good business sense, she will be able to add her expertise to the restoration of Crossroads Center of Hope to make it ready to receive the single mother families that are so in need in Anderson County. She also holds a B.S. Degree in Business Administration and is part President of the Maryville Business and Professional Women’s Club, was in charge of building the Fellowship Hall of Lancing Presbyterian Church and is writing the Security and Risk Plans for Wartburg Presbyterian Church. Karen is currently a consultant at Energy Solutions/Hittman Transport Services where she trains staff and drivers in addition to designing training plans.
Tammy Hannon MSN, RN – Board Member, Tammy came to Crossroads Ministry because in her position she was always working with single mothers who were struggling to raise their children and get an education at the same time. She saw what they are going through and did her best to be an encourager while at the same time making sure they accomplished the work necessary to get their degree. Tammy recently retired as an Associate Professor of Nursing, Roane State Community College, Oak Ridge.
Denee’ Foisy – Board Member, Denee’ has been involved with Crossroads Ministry for four years because of the annual Tea for Two Fundraiser in August. She said she has cherished each one and is very concerned that we cannot hold inside events because it is so important to people’s mental health to actually get together and share. Since she was child she has had a passion to enable others to be their best and do their best so they can be productive members of society then give back to others. Denee’ also has experience with domestic violence having been on the receiving end before her life changed! This in addition to her work and learning experience will make her a welcome and necessary addition to our board. She has experience in all of the areas in which we want to be involved to help our single mother families excel in life. Denee’ has a BS in Law and a BSW, MSW in Social Work and experience in both. She also is a Rule 31 Mediator with experience in Collaborative Divorce, Community Mediation, and ETHRA TN Ombudsman. Her experience will allow her to be a very effective Volunteer Counselor at Crossroads Center of Hope.
Casandra Rueff – Board Member, Casandra (Cassie) comes to us with many years of non-profit experience from working for 5 years as a Director of two different non-profits organizations working with families, and has taught from 4 yrs to college/adult level in different vocations and ministries, and had the pleasure of volunteering in her community with Sunday school, community meals, and festivals/fundraisers.
Casandra has a degree in Social Science Communications from Oakland University and received a Certification from the State of Tennessee as a QCI Silver Director, Certificate for Early Childhood Mentor and Teacher for programs working with early childhood teachers and families. She is married and a busy mother of four. Casandra is honored to be a part of a team to help serve women and children of our community.
Jessica Grooms – Board Member. Jessica became familiar with Crossroads Ministry by attending our Tea for Two with friends. It has evolved into so much more! As she began learning more about the mission to help at-risk single mothers to thrive with new skills and goals to reach, and learning how to make good decisions with valuable training for life, it stirred a passion to serve this ministry. She has interactions with many different people in the community and knows the need is vital. Jessica feels blessed to be able to help others in needs and be a positive impact. Jessica holds an MBA PMP with a focus on Business and is also a member of the Anderson County Chamber Ambassadors and the Anderson County Community Action Board.
Patrick Sharp – Board Member, Patrick (Pat) comes to Crossroads Ministry with a background in all areas of fundraising; Planning and Coordinating, Staffing, Researching potential donors and Development Plans, Accounting, Case Management/Therapy, and Budgeting. He holds an MSW from University of Tennessee, MS:Educating Counselor, UT, and BS in Business Administration, UT. Pat became interested in Crossroads Center of Hope through his wife, a friend of our director, who also was attending our teas and encouraged him to attend this years Tea for Two which led him to indicate his interest in joining our board. We look forward to Pats expertise and knowledge in all areas of creating a viable non-profit and a place of Hope and Safety for at-risk families needing our help.
Cora Rhew, Founder/Executive Director. Cora was led to found Crossroads Ministry in 2002 while housing a single mom, her baby, and her 14 year old sister for six months. Crossroads Ministry became a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Corporation in 2005 and for five years she provided a safe place for women escaping an abusive situation and single mothers and their babies for anywhere from one night to a month. From June 2012 to June 2014 provided a home to a single mom trying to regain custody of her daughter who had been taken out of state by the child’s father. Her passion and dedication to the issue of homeless and/or at-risk single moms and their young children is where her heart and focus is and seeing the vision God gave her come to fruition is her goal.
Cora previously volunteered at Choices Resource Center helping with the babies and toddlers during parenting classes and at STAR (Shangri La Therapeutic Academy of Riding) working with teenagers and women working towards a measure of independence while learning handling and coping skills on horseback. She is currently a Member of the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, Anderson County CCR Team (Coordinated Community Response to Domestic Violence), CAB (Community Advisory Board of Anderson County) and the Anderson County Civitan Club.
