behind the counter | 2012 47 United Ministries E mily Pritchett was working at a nursing home, so we take a personal approach to dealing with but she longed to leave the kitchen and work poverty issues at multiple levels. We rely on people directly with residents as a certified nursing who donate their time, talent and treasure, because assistant. The problem – she couldn’t afford there are many different needs in the community.” 606 Pendleton Street the certification. Greenville The organization has multiple programs, including 864.232.6463 Then she found out about the Employment a day shelter for people needing a shower and Readiness program at United Ministries, which can a place to wash clothes; emergency financial www.United-Ministries.org pay for the course, along with books and uniforms, assistance; a GED program; and the Employment Care and Advocacy for qualifying applicants. They help every step of the Readiness program. way through the certification process, as graduates We can’t solve every problem, but Trout says it’s search for a job and even after their job begins. rewarding to see a program participant like Emily “There are lots of barriers and challenges, so we achieve a goal – she still works at the same nursing try to be about solutions,” says Executive Director home, but she’s left the kitchen behind for the Keith Trout. “We want to open doors of opportunity, patient-care position she wanted. Photograph by: Darrell Snow