The Kanawha Institute for Social Research & Action, Inc. (KISRA) was established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1993 by Ferguson Memorial Baptist Church. KISRA's mission is to serve and empower West Virginians through education, employment, economic empowerment and behavioral health initiatives.

This West Virginia-based organization has five locations - Dunbar, Kanawha County; Huntington, Cabell County; Beckley, Raleigh County; Oak Hill, Fayette County; Princeton, Mercer County. KISRA serves children, youth, adults and families of West Virginia.

Our Vision
Our vision is that communities in West Virginia will be strong and self-sustaining.

Our Core Values

• Collaboration
• Commitment to Excellence
• Continuous Improvement
• Faith
• Integrity
• Respect for All People
• Spirituality

Locations
Kanawha County
The Empowerment Center 
131 Perkins Avenue
Dunbar, WV 25064
304.768.8924

Cabell County
Douglass Center
1448 10th Avenue, Suite 205
Huntington, WV 25701
304.529.0337

Raleigh County
P. O. Box 890
Beckley, WV  25802
304.890.9588

Mercer County
P. O. Box 711
Princeton, WV 24740
304.890.7940
304.890.5951

Fayette County
Spirit & Truth Ministries Waymaker Foundation
110A Main Street West
Oak Hill, WV 25901
304.890.8306

Senior Staff

• Dr. Michelle Foster, Chief Executive Officer

• Carl Chadband, Employment Programs Manager
• Angela Dobson, Executive Assistant/After-School Program Coordinator
• Verbie Ann Helyger, Child Development Center Director/Life Skills Instructor
• Stephanie Herald, Re-Entry Program Specialist - Mercer County
• Michael Jones, Fatherhood Program Specialist - Cabell County
• Kenneth Mosley, Construction Manager
• Traci Johnson, Employment Program Specialist
• Wanda Lee, Re-Entry Program Specialist - Mercer County
• Season Lewis, AmeriCorps/Compeer Program Coordinator
• William Lipscomb, Re-Entry Program Specialist - Kanawha County
• G.A. McClung, Re-Entry Program Specialist - Cabell County
• LaTwane Pugh, Fatherhood Program Specialist - Kanawha County
• Patricia Scott, Economic Empowerment Programs Manager
• Maria Terrell, Child Development Center Assistant Director

Organizational Documents
Anyone who desires to obtain a copy of KISRA's Tax Exemption Letter, IRS Form 990, or Independent Audit should contact Dr. Michelle Foster, CEO at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 304.768.8924.