Leadership

Tosheria Brown, previously the Program Coordinator for the Oak City Outreach Center since its opening in 2014, is now the Director of Programs and Services at Oak City Cares. Prior to her current work in the non-profit field, Tosheria worked in the for-profit sector for over 15 years where she developed her skills in customer service, project management, and relationship building. Tosheria has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a true desire for serving our friends experiencing homelessness and other levels of transition. She sees the humanity in each person she encounters and has a compassion that allows her to exemplify a caring, empathetic, and nonjudgmental spirit.

Rick Godette lives his life by the motto, “One positive thought in the morning can change our whole day.” Rick has a heart for caring for people in need. Prior to joining the Oak City Cares team, Rick held many roles in fellowship and outreach at his church, St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church. Through St. John’s MCC, Rick currently provides a hot meal in Moore Square for Raleigh’s homeless population Tuesday through Thursday, and he previously started the food pantry for families in need. Rick is excited to continue caring for our friends experiencing homelessness at Oak City Cares and to remind everyone that there are brighter days ahead. In his spare time, you can find Rick working in the yard and tending to his plants.

Laura Martin has spent the last decade learning and leading in the Triangle area non-profit sector. She most recently served as the Executive Director of Dress for Success Triangle, seeking to broaden the economic opportunities available to women seeking careers. Prior to joining DFST (Dress for Success Triangle), Laura spent eight years at Raleigh-based, StepUp Ministry. Laura has a strong commitment to local workforce development efforts and specifically to better economic access and opportunity for all.

Amanda Rapant joins the Oak City Cares team with over 5 years experience in the non-profit industry. Amanda has a background in non-profit operations and development. She also brings writing and editing skills to her Development and Communications role at Oak City Cares. Amanda is originally from upstate New York, but has lived in North Carolina for the last 5 years. In her free time, Amanda enjoys hiking with her husband and rescue dog, attempting to garden, reading, baking and volunteering at a local dog rescue.

Emily Tingen was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. Emily earned her BSW from University of North Carolina Wilmington, and obtained her MSW from University of North Carolina State. Throughout the last two years she has devoted her time working towards assisting individuals experiencing homelessness or on the verge of homelessness. She strives to be a vehicle for change for individuals she serves in the community through her advocacy for individuals facing oppression and discrimination.

Kenyetta Boone joins the Oak City Cares team as a SOAR Specialist (SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access, Recovery). In this role, she aims to remove the burden of navigating the disability benefits application process, from individuals who may be experiencing homelessness. Prior to joining Oak City Cares, Kenyetta worked as a Disability Examiner with Disability Determination Services. Having 12 years of experience processing disability claims for the State of North Carolina, she brings a wealth of knowledge about the Social Security Administration program and looks forward to helping others manage this complex application process. Understanding the detailed criteria required for someone to get approved for disability benefits, Kenyetta strives to do everything possible to help our guests, who meet that criteria, secure their benefits as quickly as possible. She is happy to serve as an advocate for our guests with chronic disabilities.

Casey Slock shares great enthusiasm for serving those experiencing homelessness, especially those with severe and persistent mental illness.  That passion coupled with her varied marketing and program management experience brought her to Oak City Cares where she is excited to support the Resource Development Team.  Away from work, Casey is devoted to supporting her family and Wake County schools community.

Amber earned her BSW from the University of South Carolina and her MSW from North Carolina Central University.  Amber began her career working in Head Start as a Family Social Worker working for children and families in the program by creating and working on family goals, employment assistance and housing assistance.  She later transitioned in her career working with families experiencing homeless by working to find permanent housing.  Amber is passionate about working with people who face housing hardships in her community.

Before moving to North Carolina, Lottie Anderson spent over 20 years as an electrician in Brooklyn, NY, and a Peace Officer (law enforcement) for 12 years on Roosevelt Island. Lottie moved to NC and changed career paths and was a Residential Counselor at a group home and later worked at Passage Home as the Project Safe Neighborhood Coordinator. More recently, Lottie worked at the South Wilmington Street Center (right next door to OCC) serving as a Guest Service Technician seeing to the needs of the homeless men population in Wake County. Lottie wholeheartedly believes our society works best when we all work together to assist each other who are in need, that’s what it means to be human

Oak City Cares welcomes Otis Whitaker to the team as our Basic Needs Services Coordinator. Otis first became involved with Oak City Cares as a dedicated volunteer, and now is on the OCC team full-time. Otis finds joy in helping people and seeing them develop and achieve their goals, all while making someone smile or laugh. He will ensure a smooth and fair process is experienced by all and hopes to always be a lending hand to neighbors in need.

Marie Brady joins the Oak City Cares team with a diverse skill set and over 30 years of professional experience. With prior roles in the retail, banking, pharmaceutical, and multi-family housing industry, Marie brings her expertise to the team as the Finance and Operations Coordinator. Marie is recently retired and is looking forward to giving back to the community through her role at Oak City Cares. Originally from Pittsburgh, Marie has called North Carolina home for 22 years.

Kitty Banks has always seen food as a way to bring people together, or in her words, minister to people’s souls. Prior to joining the Oak City Cares team, Kitty worked at Inter-Faith Food Shuttle for over 17 years where she held several roles, including Catering Kitchen Manager. With over 19 years of nonprofit experience in the Triangle area and over 30 years of experience in the food industry, Kitty brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Oak City Cares as the Weekend Meals Coordinator and Coordinated Entry Support Specialist.

Betsy Baker, Weekend Meals Assistant
Devan Grissom, Basic Needs Assistant
Greta Johnson, Weekend Meals Assistant
Alton Philyaw, Coordinated Care Support Specialist
Andrea Thompson, Weekend Meals Assistant
Stacie Patterson, Weekend Meals Assistant