The Kanawha Institute for Social Research & Action, Inc. (KISRA) was established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1993 by Ferguson Memorial Baptist Church. KISRA's mission is to assess, develop and implement educational and socio-economic initiatives that serve and empower the citizens of our community.

This West Virginia-based organization has two locations, one in West Dunbar in Kanawha County and another in Huntington in Cabell County. KISRA’s wide array of services are in the areas of education, employment and economic empowerment, serving children, youth, adults and families of West Virginia.

Our Mission
The mission of KISRA is to assess, develop and implement educational and socio-economic initiatives that serve and empower communities throughout West Virginia.

Our Vision
Our vision is that communities in West Virginia will be strong and self-sustaining.

Our Core Values

• Collaboration
• Commitment to Excellence
• Continuous Improvement
• Faith
• Integrity
• Respect for All People
• Spirituality

Locations
-Kanawha County
 131 Perkins Avenue
 West Dunbar, WV 25064

-Cabell County
 1448 10th Avenue, Suite 205 (Douglass Center)
 Huntington, WV 25701

Senior Staff

• Michelle Foster, Chief Executive Officer

• Carl Chadband, Fatherhood Program Specialist
• Angela Dobson, Executive Assistant/After-School Program Coordinator
• Verbie Ann Heyliger, Child Development Center Director/Life Skills Instructor
• Michael Jones, Fatherhood Program Specialist
• Kenneth Mosley, Construction Manager
• Traci Mosley, Business Center Coordinator
• LaTwane Pugh, Fatherhood Program Specialist
• Patricia Scott, Housing Specialist/Business Class Instructor
• Maria Terrell, Child Development Center Assistant Director