CareCola
Connecting people to care while supporting the providers who serve them
For those Empowering Helpers...
If you are a licensed therapist, pastoral counselor, life coach, pastor, or trained volunteer, CareCola is here for you! We exist to support, empower, and equip you in our shared endeavor to transform our city with the love of Jesus.
For those seeking help...
For those seeking faith-based care and counseling, CareCola presents a spectrum of resources, offering individuals and families pathways to emotional and spiritual well-being. Grounded in compassion and guided by biblical values, our network of providers makes this care possible.
Your support allows us to expand our services and reach more people in need
CareCola is a citywide Collaborative Care Network committed to strengthening the way our community gives and receives care. We connect individuals and families to trusted, Christ‑centered support while equipping pastors, educators, mental health professionals, and caregivers of every kind. Together, we seek the flourishing of our city through the love of Jesus.
We are not here to compete; we are here to collaborate. By linking churches, providers, and community partners, we help create clear pathways to care and offer resources that empower those who serve on the front lines of emotional and spiritual support.
If CareCola has encouraged you or someone you love, we invite you to consider making a donation. Your generosity helps expand this network, strengthen those who care for others, and ensure that more people in our city can access the support they need.
Thank you for partnering with us in this work. Your support makes a lasting difference.
Learn about the movements that shape our mission
Cola Network
Christ Together Collective
Board of Directors
The CareCola Board provides spiritual, strategic, and organizational oversight for the ministry, ensuring that all operations remain aligned with the mission of Christ Together Collective and the vision of gospel‑driven care across the Midlands. Our board is composed of trusted leaders with experience in counseling, ministry, nonprofit service, business, and community care.
Together, they steward the direction, integrity, and sustainability of CareCola—guiding policy, supporting the Executive Director, and safeguarding the collaborative partnerships that make this work possible. United by a shared commitment to Christ and to the well-being of our city, the Board of Directors helps ensure that CareCola remains a trustworthy, accountable, and mission‑anchored network for caregivers and care seekers alike.
Janalee Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and the Director of Care at Columbia Crossroads Church. She holds a BA in Bible and Humanities, an MA in Intercultural Studies, and an MA in Clinical Counseling from Columbia International University.
A published author of Breathe Underwater (2021), Janalee brings a rare blend of theological depth and psychological insight to her work. She is known for integrating spiritual formation, emotional health, and practical care in ways that are accessible, relational, and deeply grounded in the gospel.
In her role at Crossroads, Janalee trains and leads teams of lay caregivers, develops curriculum, and shapes systems that help the church offer sustainable, Christ-centered care. In her role as the Executive Director of CareCola, she builds collaborative networks of Christian caregivers, designs resources for churches and providers, and advocates for a city-wide movement of shared, accountable care.
Janalee lives in Columbia, South Carolina with her husband and their three adult children.
Vernon Hochstetler is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in business management, sales, marketing, and financial services. With key strengths in customer relationship development, financial software, and accounting, he brings a strategic, solutions-oriented approach to every role he serves. His background includes proven leadership in small business ownership, nonprofit management, and community service, giving him a well-rounded perspective on organizational health and sustainable growth.
Alongside his professional work, Vernon has invested deeply in ministry leadership. He and his wife serve as Stephen Ministers, Stephen Leaders, and the Coordinators of the Care Ministry at Columbia Crossroads Church, where they equip and support teams of lay caregivers. Vernon has also served as both an elder and a pastor, offering steady spiritual leadership and a heart for shepherding people through seasons of need.
Vernon serves as the Treasurer on the CareCola Board, providing financial oversight and operational wisdom, helping ensure that the organization remains sustainable, transparent, and aligned with its mission. His commitment to excellence and heart for service make him a valued leader within the CareCola community.
He and his wife make their home in Columbia, South Carolina, where they enjoy life with their children and grandchildren.
Jessica Kalmbacher is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) with a deep commitment to supporting children, families, and individuals in seasons of transition and healing. She holds a BA from Toccoa Falls College and an MA in Clinical Counseling from Columbia International University.
Jessica maintains a private counseling practice where she walks alongside individuals and families navigating complex systems and challenging circumstances. Her work reflects a steady blend of clinical skill, compassion, and a Christ-centered approach to care.
Jessica also serves as Secretary of the CareCola Board, helping steward communication, shared vision, and organizational clarity across a growing network of Christian caregivers. Her leadership reflects both administrative excellence and a deep commitment to collaborative, Christ-honoring care.
She is married to her husband, David, and together they are raising their child in Columbia, South Carolina.
Russ Holt serves as the Operations Director for the Christ Together Collective. In his role with Christ Together, Russ oversees the initiatives of the Cola Network—a citywide movement of churches working together to respond to spiritual and emotional needs across the Midlands. CareCola is one of these initiatives. As Operations Director, Russ provides strategic oversight and operational support to ensure its alignment with the broader mission of collaborative gospel impact. Russ holds a BS in Computer Science from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Russ also serves as an elder at Columbia Crossroads Church, helping the church function with clarity, unity, and purpose. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to sustainable ministry, relational integrity, and the flourishing of the local church.
Russ is known for his steady presence, practical wisdom, and ability to bring order and vision to complex ministry environments. His work strengthens both local congregations and citywide partnerships, making him a vital part of the CareCola movement and the broader Christ Together mission.
He and his wife live in Columbia, South Carolina, and are enjoying life with their children and grandchildren.
Kim Wickersham is a Certified Public Manager (CPM) and serves as the Director of the Public Charities in the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office. Along with experience in business ownership and state government, Kim brings deep expertise in compliance, nonprofit oversight, and public accountability.
In her role with the Secretary of State’s office, Kim oversees the registration and reporting of charitable organizations across South Carolina, ensuring transparency and accountability to the generous donors in South Carolina. She is known for her integrity, attention to detail, and her ability to navigate regulatory environments with clarity and steadiness.
As Program Manager of CareCola, Kim helps steward systems, logistics, and organizational infrastructure to support a growing network of Christian caregivers. Her role ensures that CareCola’s collaborative vision is met through its short and long-term programs that are sustainable, ensuring growth that continues to benefit caregivers and care receivers throughout the Columbia area.
Kim lives in Columbia, South Carolina, where she is active in her church and enjoys investing in the well-being of her family and community.
Dr. Glenda Hill Nanna is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) and a professor in the School of Counseling at Colorado Christian University. She holds an MA in Clinical Counseling from Columbia International University and a PhD from Walden University. With experience spanning clinical practice, academic leadership, and counselor development, Glenda is known for her passion for reaching hurting people with the love of Christ. She continues to maintain a private practice, integrating clinical excellence with a deeply relational, Christ-centered approach to care.
Glenda’s greatest joy is investing in the next generation of counselors. She loves leading faculty as part of a collaborative team, teaching in the university classroom, and supervising students and new professionals toward licensure. She delights in watching “the light come on” as students grasp new concepts, grow in confidence, and step into their calling. For Glenda, teaching is not just a profession—it is a place of profound fulfillment and ministry.
Glenda serves as a Member at Large on the board of CareCola. Her leadership is marked by warmth, humility, and a steady commitment to excellence. Whether she is guiding a classroom discussion, supporting a colleague, or walking with a client, Glenda brings a calm, grounded presence that reflects her deep faith and her belief in the transformative work of Christ.
Glenda and her husband, Beau, live in Columbia, South Carolina, where they continue to invest in their community with generosity, wisdom, and hospitality.