OUR TEAM

WAYNE YOUNGER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Wayne brings over 25 years of nonprofit service experience in the Pittsburgh region. He brings proficiency in organizational management, public speaking, strategic planning, fundraising and board development. His entrepreneurial and executive leadership has a focused mission to advocate for and improve the lives of economically marginalized persons. He does all this with a pastor’s heart, as a co-founding pastor of Cityview Church in East Allegheny.

Wayne is a native Pittsburgher, a graduate of Langley High School and also Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.  He has led and served in mentoring programs and churches, he was program coordinator at PULSE and most recently he served as the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Project.

Wayne Younger, Executive Director Photo

"I am who I am because of who we are”

-Leymah Gbowee, on the concept of Ubuntu

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TAMIKA BARRETT

DIRECTOR, FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Tamika joined the Open Hand Ministries team in September of 2018. In her role as Family Development Coordinator, Tamika designs and oversees Open Hand Ministries’ family development program, which includes weekly financial wellness workshops. She also provides monthly one-on-one financial coaching and homeownership counseling for Open Hand Ministries’ families. Tamika has over two decades of experience as an educator and in curriculum design. She is a licensed Realtor© and an Accredited Financial Counselor©. She specializes in first-time buyer education, credit building, and debt reduction. Tamika is passionate about educating individuals so that they are empowered to make informed decisions in achieving their financial goals. One of Tamika’s many gifts is her creativity, which ranges from jewelry making to a knack for interior design.

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TIM RAUFER

DIRECTOR, CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

Tim Raufer has been OHM’s full time Construction Coordinator since 2016; the first time he crawled through the window of a boarded-up house with OHM founder Michael Stanton was just before Christmas, 2007. Tim is responsible for managing OHM’s construction and remodeling activities, ensuring that we deliver durable and elegant homes. Tim is in love with the lesson at the heart of OHM’s work: what gets built is secondary to the Community for whom and by whom the work is accomplished, and the spirit in which it is undertaken. Volunteers, subcontractors, building inspectors, and guests are always welcome to his stash of trailmix at the jobsite, especially if you can help him remember where he set down his coffee. Tim and his wife Steph bought their home in East Liberty in 2009, and it has since existed in a perpetual state of remodeling. His dog Jenny, and three sons Attison, Dennis and Matthias are his favorite students and his favorite teachers!

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CHERYL A. LOWITZER

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

Cheryl joined the Open Hand Ministries team in September 2020, bringing a wealth of corporate, entrepreneurial and service experience to the role. A native of Buffalo, NY, she considers Pittsburgh her heart’s true home and was delighted to return this year after almost a decade in the Rocky Mountain region. Cheryl loves Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, especially her beloved Northside. She’s happiest on her bicycle, doing CrossFit, gardening and learning something new. An avid traveler, Cheryl has a very long destination “bucket” list and can hardly wait to embark on her next adventure. Cheryl is studying to become a licensed Unity teacher and looks forward to connecting with Unity of Pittsburgh. She currently lives in Brighton Heights, participates in several book clubs and is studying Italian.

OUR BOARD

REV. PAUL ROBERTS - PRESIDENT   

HEATHER LIST - VICE PRESIDENT

FRED MILLER - TREASURER

LYNNE CHADWICK

REV. CHAD COLLINS

JEFF DeNINNO

ROBERT FORLOINES

C. ANDREW McGHEE

JOANN MONROE

RHONDA RECTOR-RANKIN

PHILIP ROBERTS

PHILIP WASLER

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MICHAEL STANTON

FOUNDER

Stanton is a Garfield resident since 2005. Through his network and connections in the society, Garfield created the Open Hand Ministries in 2008. Open Hand Ministries is a collective of four churches: East Liberty Presbyterian Church, East Minster Presbyterian Church, Valley View Presbyterian Church, and Open Door Presbyterian Church from the Garfield and East Liberty communities in Pittsburgh.

Stanton was nominated as Dignity & Respect Champion by Rev. Dr. Randy Bush of East Liberty Presbyterian Church, former Dignity & Respect Champion. With grateful hearts, OHM wished its founder, Michael Stanton, the very best in his decision to prayerfully move on from his role to explore new opportunities after 12 years of faithful servant leadership. OHM’s relationship with Michael remains strong, which is yet another way he blesses our ministry.