OUR TEAM

WAYNE YOUNGER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Wayne has more than 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, and a graduate of Langley High School. He also attended Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky and Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. He has extensive experience in both the social work and ministry fields. He was program coordinator at PULSE and also served as the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Project. Wayne is married to Rev. Leeann Shaw Younger. They share three adult children: W. Shaw, Isaiah, and Kayla, and they live on Pittsburgh’s Northside.

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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FRANK BAUERLE

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

Frank joined the staff of Open Hand Ministries in September 2022 after 5 years of serving on the OHM board of directors and another 4 years volunteering with the organization.

From the beginning, Frank has believed very strongly in the mission of the organization and enjoys being a part of the Open Hand Ministries team. He believes very strongly in the adage that "it takes a village" recognizing that without the involvement of the staff, board, the community, and the volunteers, the mission of Open Hand Ministries would not work. He's thankful for all who help make OHM successful.

Frank believes that his experience with nonprofits, compliance, governance, and project management can further the mission and help OHM grow. Frank grew up in the Pittsburgh area but moved away after college for career reasons.

While living in Texas, he was involved with Habitat for Humanity and helped launch a nonprofit organization, NEWDAY, which focuses on keeping at-risk youth in school through providing weekend food and other assistance. On moving back to Pittsburgh in 2014 (to be closer to his parents and to avoid the oppressive heat and weather in the North Texas area), he began looking for opportunities to serve and happened across OHM. It felt like a great match so his journey with OHM began.

OUR BOARD

HEATHER LIST - PRESIDENT   

C. ANDREW McGHEE - VICE PRESIDENT

FRED MILLER - TREASURER

LYNNE CHADWICK - SECRETARY

REV. CHAD COLLINS

JEFF DeNINNO

VANESSA FULLER

JOANN MONROE

TAMBA NYANDEMOH

MELODY PHELPS

RHONDA RECTOR-RANKIN

REV. PAUL ROBERTS

PHIL ROBERTS

Michael Stanton Photo

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.