Maiharriese Wooden is the founder and president of the Stark Blessing Box Initiative in Canton. She is also the community engagement director at First Christian Church in Canton.
Wooden is 1988 graduate of McKinley Senior High School and has attended Columbus State Community College for medical assisting technology and earned an associate degree in technical studies in 2012.
Today, she lives in Canton on the northwest side. She has two adult children, Trina and Riese, and is a grandmother to five children.
“I began my career in medical records and medical reception at a young age,” Wooden said. “I stayed in that field until taking my current job at First Christian Church three years ago … where I serve as the point person and connection for ministry partners and organizations in the area. I also oversee First Fruits Pantry and Common Goods clothing stores daily.”
She does numerous other tasks at the church such as leading the community engagement team to create and facilitate the local mission endeavors; developing cultural awareness and education of the mission into the broader community; and overseeing community partner projects and volunteer schedules, and community teams (Common Goods, food ministry, etc.).