Women's
Ministries
Hours: Monday - Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Phone: 573.256.1799
Email: colcwm@mchsi.com
Getting to Know Cherie Stott
Cherie has been a volunteer peer counselor at the Center since it began in 2004. She became a member of the Advisory board in 2006 and Director in 2009. "I've been blessed by parents who came from a Chrisitan background. I was saved when I was very young and have always known Jesus as my Savior."
She served as a worship leader for years, and then was active volunteering in her children's Christian school, serving as a P.E. teacher and volleyball coach. One of her biggest blessings was to coach her daughter for 6 years and then coach with her for 2 more years. Volunteer work continued as she was on a "free prayer" team on University Hospital's cancer floor. Today she still volunteers at UMHC bringing "Baskets of Hope" to children who have been diagnosed with life threatening diseases. Cherie is a small group leader at her church, Christian Fellowship, and enjoys Bible studies at the church and in her small group.
The Goal for the Center is to help hurting women get through difficult times and Cherie shares some of her own struggles with these women to encourage them. We're never "done" having difficult chapters in our lives, but with God we can do all things because He strengthens us.
Cherie has been married to Russ for 43 years and has 3 grown children, 4 grandchildren and 3 step-grandchildren. Hobbies are gardening, reading, and enjoying her Christian friends.
Meet the Board
Our Center Director, Cherie Stott, is supported by five other Board members. We have been blessed with diversity and many talents, as you will see in the brief introductions that follow.
Nancy Fedorchak. Nancy teaches in the health occupations program at the Columbia Career Center, and for Central Missouri State University. She is married to Andy Anderson, and they attend The Crossing Church. They have 5 grown children. Nancy has been a valuable addition to the Board, and now serves as our Secretary/Treasurer. Her expertise in the area of mental/physical health, and legal issues has helped shape policy in those areas. She enjoys reading, working out, and spending time at her lake home. Nancy is one of our peer counselors at the Center.
Dona Jones. I have been with CWM since it's beginning in 2004, serving as a counselor, on the staff, and the Advisory Board. I believe strongly in our ministry to hurting women who need a christian friend to share their journey. Sharing the comfort, grace, and hope found in Jesus Christ and in his Word is one of the most important things I do in my life. I have a Bachelor's degree in education, and have spent over 30 years in women's ministries, working with children, and people with learning disabilities. My favorite pastimes are study and teaching the Word, reading, decorating and art. I have been a member of Christian Fellowship church along with my husband of 46 years, where we have served as Bible study teachers, small group leaders, children's church, and in many other areas. Together we have three grown children and ten grandchildren who are the joy of our lives.
Alice Schawo. I have a heart for ministry to women who are struggling and/or hurting. I love the Lord and have served Him in church ministry in various roles. Through my own experiences I have learned of God's faithfulness and healing. I am a member of Evangelical Free Church here in Columbia. After almost twenty years in continuing education at the University of Missouri, I "recycled" my talents and am now working as a mental health counselor at Coplen, Wright, and Associates, Inc. (a Christian counseling center with offices in Columbia and Jefferson City.) Outside of work, I love spending time with my three sons, two daughter-in-laws, and two grandchildren.
Yolanda Sekol. My family and I moved to Columbia in 1989. I am married to Dave and we have one grown son, who lives in Springfield, MO with his wife. Shortly after moving to Columbia I was blessed to have a child daycare in my home for six years, and later, I worked in a chiropractor's office as an office assistant. I had the opportunity to work with Angel Food ministry as an assistant coordinator, at Christian Chapel. I enjoy volunteer work and although I am not, at present, a peer counselor at the Center, I enjoy helping the Director with any office work that needs to be done. My husband and I attend The Revolution Church here in Columbia. My hobbies include reading books that teach me more about the deeper things of God, amateur photography, restoration of old photos, and crafts.
About the Volunteers
We, the Center for Women’s Ministries, Inc.,
Believe that an effective Christian counselor is someone who:
- Has been born again
- Takes the Bible seriously, and actively uses it in the counseling process
- Takes the power of the Holy Spirit seriously
- Takes sin seriously
- Takes prayer seriously
- Takes spiritual warfare seriously
- Takes involvement in the local church seriously
- Takes personal holiness seriously
- And actively cultivates a growing love relationship with Jesus Christ
- And seeks His guidance in every aspect of the counseling procedure.
- Volunteers must go through a period of intensive training in the areas of Counseling Introduction, Communication, Personality Styles, Core Issues, Boundaries, Distorted Image of God, Co-dependency, Healing Processes, Personal Accountability and Group Facilitation.