About Us
Learn more about our heart for homelessness and our team
Our Story
Patricia Smokes, the founder & CEO of Firebrand, has a heart for lifting women out of desperate situations, as she herself experienced homelessness and lack of resources. Her life was positively impacted by a similar organization which equipped her for success and a blessed life.
Our Purpose
Our ministry is needed to assist in filling in the huge homelessness and life skills gap created by numerous life circumstances. Examples include divorce, economic neglect or economic abuse, physical or mental abuse, mental health illness, loss of employment, and loss of self-esteem. Many women in dire circumstances simply have NO safe or desirable place to escape to.
Vision Statement
To secure funds and donations to enable the acquisition of a safe and structured environment for women while affording them the opportunity to set and achieve personal goals and gain financial independence. Our future goal is to secure multiple homes in multiple locations to assist more women and to create transitional shelters for progression toward emotional and financial independence.
Mission Statement
To provide a safe and structured home and life skill guidance for single women in our community who are seeking a fresh start.
Board Members
Patricia Smokes, CEO
(Chief Executive Officer)
Patricia currently resides in Winder, Georgia. She is married, the mother of two grown sons, and the grandmother of four. She has been instrumental in operating non-profit ministries for the disenfranchised for over 25 years. She knows first hand how much a helping hand can mean in a difficult life circumstance.
Krisann Logsdon, Co-CFO
(Chief Financial Officer)
Kris has been a resident of Lawrenceville, Georgia for almost 30 years. She has over 45 years of experience in administration and financial management in multiple volunteer and professional positions. She believes that one of the most effective ways to change the world for the better is by helping one person at a time, using God given talents and abilities, and is excited that being involved with Firebrand Women’s Ministries is a way for her to do just that.
Scott Gauthier, Co-CFO
(Chief Financial Officer)
Scott resides in Lawrenceville, Georgia with his wife Donna and their three children. He has worked in retail management for 32 years and is the owner of a resale business. Scott’s vision for Firebrand is to work as a team to grow the organization to become a viable resource in which women may thrive.
Faye is currently retired, is married, has one grown son and two grandchildren and currently resides in Snellville, Georgia. She has a 33-year employment history including work as social worker, probation/parole officer, medical relations coordinator, and administrator of two programs sponsored by the court system (Child Support Recovery and Pretrial Release). Faye is motivated to give a helping hand to individuals in need of “second chances.”
Faye Miller, Secretary/Admin
After feeling the call to ministry while living in a shelter as a teenager, Stephen has been committed to seeing others utilize their God-given talents, no matter their situations. You can find him on the weekends pastoring at a church in the Atlanta area.
Stephen Hataway , CSA
(Chief Spiritual Advisor)