Staff

The Senior Citizens Council

Kathleen J. Ernce Executive Director

Ms. Ernce has been a member of The Senior Citizens Council team for over thirty five years. Her love of this work, compassion, and knowledge has made her the perfect person to lead our organization. She began her work in aging in 1982 and joined The Senior Citizens Council in 1986 as the Advocacy Programs Director, and in 2007 was appointed as Executive Director. She provides counseling, education, and makes referrals to community resources on a variety of topics concerning seniors, including Medicare, options for successful caregiving, Elder Rights and Elder Prevention Fraud. She is a Certified Medicare counselor and a Nursing Home Administrator. She has a Gerontology Certification from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia.

Membership & Awards

  • Served on the Board of the Augusta Care Network, and the Executive Board of the Georgia Gerontology Society
  • Co-Chaired the 1995 and 2002 Georgia Gerontology Society’s statewide conferences
  • Produced the Ms. Senior Georgia-Carolina Pageant for 14 years
  • Member of the Columbia County S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) Council
  • Co-Chairs the TEAS (Taking Elder Abuse Seriously) Collaborative and the CSRA Elder Rights Conference Planning Committee

Meet Our Team

The Senior Citizens Council

William B. Sherrod

Administrative Assistant Director

Mr. Sherrod is a Retired Lieutenant from the Augusta Fire Department and has an Associate’s Degree in Music from Augusta State University.

He has worked at The Senior Citizens Council since 1985. He began serving as a transportation driver, Maintenance Supervisor, Housekeeping Director, and currently serves as Administrative Assistant Director and Maintenance Supervisor.
[email protected]

The Senior Citizens Council

Madsy Walter

AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Coordinator

Ms. Walter has worked with our AmeriCorps Seniors program staff since 2019 and serves as the AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Coordinator. She is responsible for recruiting, training, and managing the placement of senior volunteers, developing volunteer stations, facilitating monthly in-service meetings, and assisting with reporting outcomes of volunteer placements.

She served in the United States Army, worked as a CNA and in customer service prior to joining our staff.

Ms. Walter has a Bachelor’s of Science in Social Services with a concentration in Gerontology from Perdue University.
[email protected]

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Charlene Dent-Wilkins

AmeriCorps Seniors Project Director

Charlene Dent-Wilkins is an experienced community service advocate and benefits coordinator. Charlene has worked in the industry for over 30 years, gaining experience in focusing on vulnerable populations. As a seasoned social worker, she is passionate about advancing the quality of life for humans and supporting her own family. Outside of the office, Charlene enjoys cooking, shopping, and engaging in self-care activities. Based in Augusta, Georgia, Mrs. Wilkins is best known for her contributions to communities in Richmond County and Columbia County.

[email protected]

MCKENNA

McKenna Welly

AmeriCorps Seniors Records Coordinator

McKenna Welly joined the AmeriCorps Seniors program staff in 2022. She is responsible for maintaining volunteer files and managing the SCC’s social media.

Miss Welly is from Augusta, Georgia, where she graduated with honors from Lakeside High School. She enjoys musical theatre and creative writing in her free time. She is an Education major at Georgia Military College and serves as the Secretary of GMC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter. As a PTK Secretary, she records meeting minutes, emails other members important information, advertises fundraisers, and volunteers for multiple fundraisers for her chapter.

[email protected]