Micah Titterington is the executive director of Community Outreach Ministries in Bolivar.
Micah Titterington’s mission is to help people around Bolivar improve their lives by learning to help themselves. As executive director of Community Outreach Ministries, he oversees the faith-based nonprofit’s impact on food assistance, life improvement and skill development.
“For us, the goal is always, ‘How do we continue to deepen the layer of engagement and build relationships with those folks?’,” he says.
Titterington moved to Bolivar years ago to attend Southwest Baptist University. After graduation, he went to Texas for graduate school before returning to Bolivar with his wife, assuming his COM mission in 2019.
Today, the nonprofit includes a food pantry, where clients can “shop” for their own food; classes on topics like banking and budgeting; a recycling program; and a thrift store.
Ultimately, COM is about dignity and helping clients help themselves. An example is COM’s first Christmas market, which sold toys at greatly reduced rates.
“The parents technically are still buying the gifts, but you might get a $50 gift for $5, so it becomes now affordable,” Titterington says, noting that they sat down with parents in advance to work out a budget and what they likely needed to save to spend. The market was a success, Titterington says, and adds the benefit of bringing clients into the process.
Another example is the thrift store, which supports COM’s mission with jobs, revenue and affordable goods, but also reinforces that those in need are needed, too.
“When someone shops in here, there’s no distinction between, ‘Oh, you’re poor or you’re not’ — you’re just a customer,” Titterington says. “It changes the dynamic, because now it’s not just that you need us for the affordable things. We actually need you (as a patron).”
Who inspires you? Send your suggestions of individuals moving the needle in your community to Kaitlyn McConnell, the CFO's writer in residence, at kmcconnell@cfozarks.org.
