Candace Kobe - Chair

United Housing Connections

Candace Kobe is from Greenwood.  She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Lander University and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Winthrop University.   She is currently the CEO of United Housing Connections and the Chair of the Upstate Continuum of Care. She formerly served as the Director of Housing and various other roles at Meg’s House in her 14 years there.  She served as the President of the Advisory Council of the Upstate Continuum of Care (formerly Upstate Homeless Coalition) from 2015-2021 and currently served as an At Large Member from 2021-2023 .  She served as the Chapter President of the GAMES (Greenwood, Abbeville, McCormick, Edgefield, and Saluda) Chapter of the Continuum from 2013-2021. She has served on many committees in the CoC and has helped build the Coordinated Entry System and Written Standards of the Upstate from inception.  She currently chairs the Upstate CoC Monitoring committee and formerly --chaired the Upstate CoC Grants Committee.  She was a County Coordinator for the annual Homeless Point in Time Count for the GAMES region for 10 years.   She served on the Board of Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, the Steering Committee of the Lakelands Counts Consortium, and the Domestic Violence Task Force.  She enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets.

Taylor Young- President

The Salvation Army of Greenville

Taylor Young serves as the Director of Social Services for The Salvation Army Greenville Area Command, where she oversees comprehensive homeless and community assistance programs designed to help individuals and families achieve long-term stability. Since beginning her career with The Salvation Army in 2017 as a Case Manager and Resident Advocate for the men's, women's, and children's emergency shelters, Taylor has remained committed to providing compassionate, trauma-informed services to those experiencing homelessness. Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of individuals and families overcome barriers to housing, employment, behavioral health services, and financial stability.

In 2020, Taylor designed and implemented The Salvation Army's Diversion Program, which provides financial assistance, case management, and educational resources to individuals and families facing housing instability throughout Greenville County. The program was created to prevent homelessness before it occurs by addressing immediate financial crises while connecting clients with community resources and long-term support. The Diversion Program continues to serve as an important component of The Salvation Army's efforts to reduce homelessness through prevention and early intervention.

Taylor was promoted to Assistant Director of Social Services in 2021, where she supervised case managers, social workers, interns, volunteers, and community programs while helping strengthen service delivery across multiple departments. In 2024, she was promoted to Director of Social Services, where she now provides leadership for a multidisciplinary team of more than fifteen employees. In this role, she oversees two emergency homeless shelters, a community dining hall that serves three meals daily to both shelter residents and community members, a food pantry, financial assistance programs, volunteer services, diversion programming, and campus-wide social service operations.

As Director, Taylor has led the development and expansion of several innovative initiatives focused on improving outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness. She is currently developing a comprehensive transitional housing and clinical counseling program designed to provide residents with enhanced case management, mental health counseling, life-skills education, employment readiness services, and housing stabilization support. Her work emphasizes collaboration with community partners and the implementation of evidence-based, trauma-informed practices that promote lasting independence and improved quality of life.

Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a concentration in Family and Child Services, a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology with a concentration in Law Enforcement Psychology, and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Forensic Counseling. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Forensic Psychology, further expanding her expertise in trauma, behavioral health, forensic assessment, and evidence-based interventions.

Taylor is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of South Carolina and a Certified Mental Health Facilitator. Her professional interests include homelessness, trauma-informed care, forensic mental health, crisis intervention, behavioral health integration, counselor education, and community collaboration. She works closely with numerous local organizations to improve access to behavioral health and supportive services, including the Greenville County Coroner's Office, Greenville County Drug Court, Toys for Tots, Vets Helping Vets, Let's Figure It Out Counseling, and more. Through these partnerships, Taylor continues to advocate for coordinated, client-centered services that strengthen individuals, families, and the broader Greenville community.

Chris Padgett - Vice President and Treasurer

Hub Centers

Chris Padgett is the Executive Director of HUB Transition Centers, LLC. He is a trained and experienced professional with over 20 years’ experience with addiction and recovery counseling and with experience in trauma, and mental health counseling.

Chris is an ordained minister and is certified as an addiction and recovery counselor, A Complex Trauma Specialist, and a Certified Mental Health Coach. He also has several other skills that include Personal Counseling, Business Consultant, and a Men’s ministry Director.

Chris is also the CEO of HUB Ventures, LLC where he is a real estate investor, a developer of affordable housing, and a passive income expert.

Position Currently Open - Secretary

Michelle Gilbert - At Large Member

Michelle Gilbert is a servant leader with a desire to make a difference in the lives of others.  Compassion is her superpower.  A life that amplifies the voices of others and leaves a seat for the last person is the legacy that she is building.  Michelle strongly believes that “it is not what you gather in life; but what you scatter in life that determines the person you are and the life you lived.”

As a social worker, seasoned advocate, and change champion, Michelle has a rich history of helping others grow through storms.  She has worked at Safe Harbor, a comprehensive domestic abuse program serving individuals and families in Greenville, Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens Counties, for 16 years in various capacities.  Michelle currently serves as the Director of Housing and Advocacy where she oversees multiple areas, including Rapid Rehousing and HAP, a transitional housing assistance program.

Michelle earned a B.S in Sociology from Lander University and a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina, but her greatest lessons have come from those who rose above everything that was intended to destroy them.  Michelle is active in the community and her titles vary. Her work has earned local and state accolades.  But at the end of the day, her greatest honor is her family.

PLANNING

Beth Rutherford-Chair

Candace Kobe Stephanie Cole
Bruce Forbes
Colin Bauer Chris Padgett

GRANTS

Candace Kobe-Chair

Beth Rutherford
Bruce Forbes
Brooks Bryant
Casey Duncan
Michele Murff
Nancy Shepard
Stephanie Cole Stephany Melton Taylor Young Halla Banafa Teresa Hunt Michelle Gerald

MONITORING

Stephanie Cole-Chair

Candace Kobe Bruce Forbes Brooks Bryant Vanessa Johnson Angela Hurks

RANKING

Taylor Young Alice Hodges Colin Bauer Nath Briley

PROGRAMS

Tee Wallace-Chair
Jeanne Vernon
Kendra Meeks-Rice
Summer Glover
Vanessa Johnson Stephanie Cole Candace Kobe Michelle Gerald Cody Carver Hiram Spain

HMIS

Stephanie Cole-Chair