Saint Francis Ministries welcomed three new members of the Board of Directors in July, even as the organization said goodbye to Past Chair Dr. Greg Meissen and members Dr. Mischel Miller and the Honorable Ericka Sanders.
SFM’s new Board members are:
The Reverend Raphiell Ashford
As a priest and rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Columbia, South Carolina, the Reverend Raphiell Ashford brings significant experience working with children and teens from diverse populations. Before seminary, he worked for the Mississippi State Hospital and Catholic Charities. Within the Episcopal Church, he has served multiple Mississippi congregations in various positions prior to and following his attendance at seminary, including organ/choirmaster, parish administrator, and vicar. Integral to his ministry at St. Luke’s are the St. Luke’s Church Feeding Ministry, which provides hot meals twice a month to community members, and the St. Luke’s Fresh Start Ministry, which operates a food pantry, clothes closet, and utility assistance to people in the greater Columbia area. Fr. Ashford holds a B.A. in Psychology, a B.S. in General Science from Mississippi State University, and a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary.
The Reverend Kelly Demo
An Episcopal priest, The Reverend Kelly Demo has worked with children, teens, adult volunteers, and community organizations throughout her 24+ years of ministry. Before her current position as associate rector of St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Overland Park, Kansas, she served as an advocacy coordinator at Children International and a grief counselor at SIDS Resources in Kansas City, Missouri. She also worked as a fundraiser at the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging and as a chaplain at Marillac Youth Hospital, both in Kansas. The author of multiple books and articles, her most recent book is “Grace in the Rearview Mirror: Four Women Priests on Brokenness, Belonging, and the Beauty of God, published in 2023.
Dr. Ashley Ormond
A clinical psychologist, Dr. Ashley Ormond specializes in working with children and families. Dr. Ormond received her doctorate from Wichita State University. She subsequently completed her residency and her fellowship at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, respectively. As a parent and former foster parent, Dr. Ormond focuses her attention on helping children manage symptoms of ADHD, mood concerns, and disruptive behavior. She is passionate about improving parent self-efficacy and overall family functioning. Dr. Ormond currently practices with Lifestance Behavioral Health, where she serves families in the Columbus and Dayton, Ohio, areas.
Members of the Saint Francis Ministries Board of Directors serve three-year terms. Learn more at https://saintfrancisministries.org/board-of-directors/.
Saint Francis launches new video series
Over the summer, Saint Francis Ministries launched a new YouTube video series titled “Conversations.” The first episode, “Healing and Hope,” features a conversation between CEO William Clark and Executive Officer for Mission and Ministry Fr. Andrew O’Connor.
In this insightful conversation, Clark shares his journey from serving as an Army colonel to leading a mission-driven organization focused on child and family welfare. The two explore Saint Francis Ministries’ core mission, vision, and values, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to providing healing and hope to 12,000 people annually.
Keep an eye out for future episodes – about one every couple of months (that’s the plan, at least). Also, drop us a line at marketingcomms@st-francis.org with any suggestions you have for topics.
Check out “Episode 1: Healing and Hope” on our website or YouTube. Here’s the link: https://saintfrancisministries.org/conversations-ep-01/.
