The Center Team
Patricia (Pat) Littlejohn
Executive Director
Pat was instrumental in developing and leading the Fatherhood Initiative since it began in 1997 at the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. She was an integral part of the formation and establishment of the Center in 2002 and has served in the Executive Director's role since 2005.
Jessica Wilson, MBA
Director of Finance and Operations
Jessica joined the staff in 2007. Formerly with the South Carolina State Auditor's office, Jessica has extensive experience in non-profit accounting, governmental policies, procedures and regulations. Collaborating with the Sisters of Charity Health System Finance Department, she oversees the Center's financials and grants accounting/reporting; monitors accounting of local programs and provides on-going technical assistance to programs. Additionally, she is responsible for the overall internal operations of the Center.
Richard (Ricky) B. Barr
Director of Community Development and Programming
Ricky joined the Center in January 2011, but served as the first director of the Columbia Fatherhood Engagement Initiative from 1999 - 2003. Serving as the liaison between programs and the Center, Ricky provides technical assistance to programs by facilitating implementations, improvements and championing accomplishments. He is a key contributor to forming state and community partnerships essential to programmatic enhancement and grants implementation.
Saartje (Shirley) Scholtz, MS
Senior Research Associate
Shirley compiles and synthesizes information providing data which supports and enhances decision-making, strategic planning, evidence-based outcomes assessment and external reporting. Her primary responsibility is to conduct research which fuels strategic planning, future research design studies, data collection/management, data analysis and report preparation.
Garrett Butler
Public Relations and Administrative Coordinator
Garrett joined the staff in August of 2011 and is responsible for internal and out-going communications and administrative support functions. Garrett develops social media messages and monthly e-newsletters, as well as, managing the website and public relations activities. He is responsible for annual fund campaign and all outreach events.
Judy Everett
Development Manager
Judy has consulted with the Center staff since January 2011. She researches, prepares and submits state/local government and foundation grants, state and national corporate grants, and United Way grants. As grants manager she coordinates grant implementation meetings, tracks grant activities and develops funders' reports.
Cindy Kane
Grant-writer
Cindy also has consulted with the Center staff since 2006. She researches, prepares and submits primarily federal and other governmental grant proposals. She has previously provided consultation to the Center on the development and implementation of social enterprise and earned income strategies.
Gale DuBose, Esq.
Jobs-Not-Jail Project Director and Legal Coordinator
Gale provides oversight and technical assistance for Jobs-Not-Jail and training to local program staff on child support issues. She interfaces with local programs, the Center and the child support, judicial/legal community while also supporting external communications. Gale is helping to champion a project for the automation of pro se modification via internet technology, training and community outreach.
Dawn Pender, MSN, APRN-BC, FNP, CPNP
Access to Men's Healthcare Project Manager and Nurse Practitioner
Dawn provides oversight for the Access to Men's Healthcare component in three program sites. She also provides health education, direct care and treatment for fatherhood participants and forms partnerships with local healthcare providers for continuation of healthcare services and treatment for fathers enrolled in Center programs.