Hello
Cynthia Terry is the extraordinary Visionary, Founder, and Executive Director of Changing Lives Outreach Center. With over 33 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse, she brings a unique healthcare lens to anti-hunger work, pioneering food literacy programs, healthy cooking education, and wellness initiatives that address both immediate needs and long-term community health. As a serial entrepreneur, pastor, and advocate, Cynthia merges grassroots understanding with strategic acumen. Her leadership, honed through more than 15 years of nonprofit management, public speaking, and faith-based service, turns systemic challenges into opportunities for empowerment.
Meet our board
Cynthia Terry
Cynthia Terry is the Senior Pastor of The Resurrection and The Life Outreach and Deliverance Ministries and the visionary founder of the Changing Lives Outreach Center CDC. Driven by faith and a deep commitment to her community, she utilized her own savings to establish this vital nonprofit to support Danville's youth and families. Her mission is personal: to provide the guidance and resources she knew were needed to help young people avoid trouble, stay in school, and build positive futures. Pastor Terry's unwavering goal is to be a tangible solution to the pressing issues within the Danville community and surrounding areas.​
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danielle Pritchett
Danielle Pritchett is a Genealogy Librarian from Charlotte, NC. Her motivation for joining the board is deeply personal, having experienced food and clothing insecurity as a child. She states, “I joined to give back by helping provide the same vital services that once supported me.” Danielle brings a unique, empathetic perspective to her role, driven by a heartfelt desire to ensure all families, especially children, have access to dignified assistance.
kevin
nance
Kevin Nance is a Research & Development Chemist from Greensboro, NC, who actively gives back as a mentor and tutor in science and math with Big Brothers Big Sisters. He joined the board driven by a belief in the importance of community service. Kevin contributes his time and skills to make a positive impact, supporting those in need while helping to build a stronger, more connected community for everyone.
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Pamela saunders
Pamela Saunders serves as the Coordinator of Public Health & Wellness for Danville Public Schools and is a dedicated member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She brings her passion for community wellness to the board, stating, “I joined to actively contribute my time and energy to address critical food insecurity. It's about fostering compassion and making a tangible difference in people's lives.” Her commitment is driven by a deep desire to build connections and provide essential support.
Keisha averette
Keisha Averette is a Youth Career Coach for Va. Career Works and a member of the Danville School Board. Her service on our board is fueled by a passion for breaking the cycle of poverty. She is committed to removing barriers that hinder self-sufficiency, aiming to empower children, adults, and families to build sustainable futures. Keisha believes deeply in the mission to provide services that enable individuals to rise above their circumstances.​
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Dr. Sherlina thomas
Dr. Sherlina Thomas serves as the Assistant Director of Community Engagement for the Institute for Advanced Learning in Danville, VA. She joined the board to help strengthen the organization's community impact. Dr. Thomas is passionate about supporting programs that empower individuals and families to thrive. She contributes her significant skills and experience in outreach to directly advance the Center’s vision of creating lasting, positive change in the lives of those served.
the HISTORY of changing lives
In Danville, Virginia, a young girl named Cynthia Terry watched her mother struggle to make ends meet, relying on a local food bank when groceries ran low. That early lesson in compassion stayed with her, shaping a lifelong commitment to ensuring no one would face hunger alone. Years later, Cynthia turned that compassion into action. With a bullhorn and homemade sandwiches, she stood in Camelia Park on Memorial Drive, determined to feed her neighbors. What began as one woman's mission to share meals soon grew into a powerful movement against food insecurity—the birth of Changing Lives Outreach Center (CDC).
Founded in 2018, CDC started small but dreamed big. Cynthia knew hunger wasn't just about empty stomachs—it was about dignity, opportunity, and breaking cycles of poverty. She rallied volunteers and community partners who shared her vision, transforming a grassroots effort into a thriving nonprofit. From its humble beginnings handing out sandwiches, Changing Lives Outreach Center has expanded to offer mobile food distributions, after-school programs, mentorship initiatives, and financial literacy workshops. By 2023, its impact stretched beyond Danville, reaching families in Charlotte, North Carolina, proving that compassion knows no borders. Today, supported by more than 30 partners and over 100 dedicated volunteers, CDC doesn't just provide meals—it builds futures.
Cynthia's childhood promise that no one should wonder where their next meal comes from has become a legacy of hope, proving that one person's determination, multiplied by community, can change lives forever. This is more than a food pantry. It's the story of a little girl who saw hardship and said, "Not on my watch."
Welcome to Changing Lives Outreach Center—where every meal served carries the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
Contact
Are you looking for new and exciting opportunities?
Let's connect.
434-770-4904