Denise Trivelas has announced her retirement from Plateau Outreach Ministries after nearly 20 years of service to the Plateau community.

The agency’s early record-keeping doesn’t show when Trivelas began volunteering and then transitioned to food bank manager and Samaritan/emergency assistance manager. It’s known that she began helping in “the first building,” as much of POM’s history is measured by which building it occupied. Trivelas witnessed and helped orchestrate two moves which have taken POM to its current location on Cole Street.

As stated in a POM press release, Trivelas “leaves a legacy at POM in teaching all to love unconditionally, to help without judgement and to welcome every single person who walks through the door like they were family.”

A goodbye celebration took place June 20.

As Trivelas retires, Elisha Smith-Marshall will become POM’s programs manager. She has been with the organization for more than two years, working at the front desk, greeting all who enter, answering questions, coordinating volunteers and processing incoming donations. She has a background in family support services and outreach resources, having previously supported families at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. She also is an experienced victim’s advocate and sexual assault response coordinator who once managed a women’s shelter.

Char McCully will continue to serve as case manager and POM’s many volunteers will allow services to continue as usual.