My name is Charmaine Townsend. I am a person who is pushing forward into a new relationship with God and others to help create a strong community. This is the mission statement of all of us who are a part of the Metanoia family in North Charleston.

In August of 2003 I learned of an organization called Metanoia that was rising up in the Chicora/Cherokee neighborhood. When I first heard the name, I had no idea what it meant. What I did know was that they were opening an after-school program in a neighborhood where kids needed somewhere to go once school was out. I made the decision to try to be a part of Metanoia. I applied for one of the positions being offered and by the grace of God I was hired.

On my first day on the job I found out what Metanoia meant. It means “positive change.” By the end of that first day after learning what their plans were, I truly believed that with CBF and with the help of urban ministers Evelyn Oliveira and Bill Stanfield, changes were going to come into our neighborhood, and they would be positive.

Well it has been a year and a half since I’ve been with Metanoia and day by day we are making positive changes. Since Metanoia was started, Chicora Elementary, our neighborhood school, is no longer worried about being closed but is looking forward to having a new building. Residents in the community are being offered classes on credit counseling and home ownership. Also right now we have 25 Young Leaders who are learning more ways of making our community a stronger place. I am blessed to be a part of Metanoia where we are all are pushing forward together.

Charmaine Townsend
1st & 2nd Grade Teacher
Metanoia Young Leaders Program

Written in February 2005

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