We recently sat down with Carole Bailey, East End Cooperative Ministry‘s new CEO, to hear about her plans and vision for this vital neighborhood nonprofit. We published the result of that conversation in the latest issue of The Bulletin (page 10). Read the full story below.
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Last September, Carole Bailey became the new CEO of East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM, 6140 Station St.).
Prior to entering the nonprofit world, Bailey worked as an audit manager for a large, regional public-accounting firm; she had clients in the nonprofit, construction, real estate, auto sales, and vehicle rental industries.
Bailey first contributed to EECM as a donor, and then served as its CFO from 2016-7. In those capacities, she learned a lot about the organization before taking over from its previous leader, Mike Mingrone.
“This neighborhood has seen many changes,” Bailey said. “These changes, as well as the increasing divide between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots,’ have resulted in a greater need for our services.”
In 1970, EECM was formed when leaders of 18 local faith communities came together to host interracial breakfasts for Peabody High School students. Since then, EECM’s services have expanded – in concert with the needs of the community – to offer a wide range of services in the city’s East End.
At 6140 Station st., volunteers regularly provide underserved Pittsburghers with a hot meal and a safe place to sleep. Other regulars visit the East Liberty space to regain their strength after a hospital stay, or utilize a support system as they work towards recovery, or seek out help with everyday problems.
“I’d like to make the building more accessible to the neighborhood. We have some excess space that we are looking to rent to a few nonprofits, which will help create a community of social enterprise within EECM.”
The organization offers educational programming, including alcohol and violence prevention programs, as well as summer day camps. The workforce training program will soon award state apprenticeship certifications for its clients in commercial sewing and cleaning services. Bailey plans to partner with a culinary nonprofit that can provide her clients with real-life kitchen training.
“We are trying to be nimble and respond to the needs we see and hear about,” she explained, citing the food her organization provided to government workers during the shutdown, as well as the warming center it opened during a recent bout of cold weather.
According to Bailey, EECM is committed to accommodating the city’s growing homeless populations but, on account of certain facility requirements, it cannot currently house any families.
“There are only two places in the city that are housing homeless families, and as a result, the Department of Human Services is putting families in hotels when there are no available facilities,” Bailey said. “In the future, we may explore how EECM can help with this growing sector of homelessness.”
EECM is constantly recruiting volunteers; opportunities include preparing lunch/dinner, managing the food pantry, and assisting with the annual coat drive. For more info, contact volunteer coordinator Tracy Hudson at 412-345-7124 or visit eecm.org.