"I tell the children I am helping them because I am getting old and will need good doctors, nurses, lawyers, and policemen and women to help me. We all laugh and then I realize so much of our future depends on them."
-Sandee Sledd
History of Cross-Cultural Ministries, Inc.
- In 1980 Brookvalley Christian Church became a sponsoring church for Cambodian refugees arriving in the U.S.
- In 1983 Vicki Shanahan was asked to coordinate its effort in serving the Cambodians and to be the church liaison with the refugees and the Atlanta community.
- In 1983 Cross-Cultural Ministry (CCM) was established to expand services to the Cambodians in Atlanta. Later, the name was changed to the current name to reflect the expansion of ministry and ethnic groups.
- In May 1992 CCM rented the current apartment for its neighborhood ministry center in Chamblee, GA. Vicki Shanahan became the founder, director and president of CCM.
- Margo Cuthbert began “The Good News Club” at Vicki’s apartment in Pearl Lane and continued the club at the ministry’s apartment. Except for 2 years, Margo has faithfully led “The Good News Club” at CCM’s Pearl Lane center.
- In March 1993 CCM began the process to be incorporated as a separate interdenominational, nonprofit ministry with Vicki Shanahan as its director.
- On June 9, 1993, Cross-Cultural Ministries, Inc. was officially incorporated in Georgia.
- On September 8, 1993, Cross-Cultural Ministries, Inc. received its 501(c)3 IRS ruling.
- Numerous volunteers and missionaries joined the staff of Cross-Cultural Ministries, Inc. at the ministry center in Chamblee and the ministry expanded to include other refugees and immigrants.
- From 1994 until 2007, Linda Baird, a former board member, volunteered with CCM. She continues to assist the ministry even though she lives outside Georgia.
- In September 1994, Virginia Cosgrove started with CCM at the center.
- In 1998, Sandee Sledd joined Vicki Shanahan at the center.
- In February 2002, Vicki Shanahan passed away. Volunteer staff continued at the ministry center to serve the community until the board could find another director.
- In April 2006, the board appointed Virginia Cosgrove as the director of Cross-Cultural Ministries, Inc.
