My Galilee Experience: Dr. Yolondra R. Cochran, DNP, RN

Dr. Yolondra R Cochran, DNP, RN

I have always had fond memories of my experiences with Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte. In 2008, I had only been in Charlotte for a year when I became an outreach nurse providing services to our new neighbors, more commonly known as refugees from various African, Asian, and other countries. Refugees are individuals who were forced to flee their country due to persecution, war, or violence. At that time, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church was still open, and it was a hub for serving community members regardless of their ethnicity, race, or religion. The church was a place where individuals could learn English as a second language, obtain food from the food pantry, and be blessed with fresh vegetables from the garden. I quickly learned that this was a place that the refugees loved to visit, and if I did not find them at home, they would be at St. Andrew’s. There were times that I would even stop at St. Andrew’s first before visiting their homes.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church was not only home for the refugees I served but also home for me. I always felt welcome. In 2013, with the closing of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the refugee community sought services at other locations. In 2015, soon after St. Andrew's reopened as Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte, I had taken another position that did not allow me to visit the places that I had grown to love so much. Galilee had always remained close to my heart as I often referred the refugee community to the services provided there.

In March 2020, the world was met with the deadliest infectious disease killer. By the end of the year, the first COVID-19 Vaccine was available. There was a push to get seniors and those with chronic health conditions vaccinated. Reverend Deacon Robin Sands contacted me to assist with vaccinating the seniors in the East Charlotte community, and she suggested Galilees Ministries of East Charlotte as a site for the vaccination event. I informed Reverend Sands that I was very familiar with Galilee Ministries and said that I was a “friend” of Galilee.

During the first year of the COVID-19 vaccine availability, the Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte became a significant community partner and site for ensuring the vaccination availability of some of our most vulnerable residents. Galilee Ministries was the first site to provide in-home COVID-19 and flu vaccinations in Mecklenburg County. I coordinated and ensured in-home visits to the homebound residents of St. Andrew’s Home, located behind Galilee. As the need for vaccinations  began to wind down, I was asked to be a part of Galilee Ministries' Community Advisory Team to continue serving those in the East Charlotte community.

Being a “friend” of Galilee has always been a joy and a position I have held close to my heart. When I was asked to consider a position on the board of directors for Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte, my heart was full. Galilee's “friend” was finally home. I can continue my mission of bringing people together and serving the community that I love so much. Just like the beautiful different colors of the stained glass in the Nave, it takes everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, and religion, to come together to be one for the betterment of our community.

~ Dr. Yolondra R Cochran, DNP, RN