About Angela
Why I’m Running for City Council
I’m running for Gastonia City Council because I love this city, every neighborhood, every resident, every part of it. As a proud native, I’m honored to call Gastonia my home. I’m ready to serve the residents of Ward 4 with dedication, integrity, and a deep commitment to creating positive, lasting change. I believe I can be a strong, thoughtful voice for our community, one that champions growth and opportunity for all. I’m proud of the progress Gastonia has made, and I’m committed to building on that momentum to ensure every neighborhood thrives.
A Lifetime of Service and Leadership
As the Founder and Executive Director of As One Ministries, Inc., I’ve had the privilege of serving over 6,000 individuals—unhoused men, women, children, and others in need, by providing food, clothing, furniture, and housing assistance. I also led efforts to operate a day shelter and a winter overflow shelter for our unhoused neighbors.
Throughout my career, I’ve held roles that reflect my commitment to public service and human dignity:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) currently serving as a Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM) Case Manager at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center, where I support Veterans living with serious mental illness to improve their health, independence, and quality of life.
- Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Supportive Housing Communities, Inc., providing permanent supportive housing for individuals facing chronic homelessness and mental health challenges.
- SOAR Benefit Specialist, where I successfully settled 63 disability cases at no cost for unhoused and low-income individuals.
- Internal Revenue Agent and Supervisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury, where I served for nearly a decade.
- Coordinator, Gaston, Lincoln, Cleveland Continuum of Care
- Chairperson, Gastonia Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness
Educational Background
- Master of Social Work – University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Minor in Business Computer Science – Belmont Abbey College
- Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education – Gaston College
Community Recognition and Awards
My community work has been recognized locally and beyond. Some of the honors I’ve received include:
- The Mecklenburg Times Most Influential Women (2017)
- Public Health Hero, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2016)
- Proclamation for Service, City of Gastonia (2016)
- Omega Citizen of the Year, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (2015)
- MLK Jr. Unity Award, Gaston County (2014)
- Key to the City of Gastonia (2011)
- All-American City Representative (2010)
- First Female Cover, Belmont Abbey College Crossroads Magazine (2006)
- Gastonia Citizen of the Year (2004)
- Gaston County Woman of the Year (2003)
- Chamber of Commerce Leadership Gaston (2003) Graduate
- Gaston County Businesswoman of the Year Nominee (2003)
- Coordinator, Gaston Lincoln Cleveland Continuum of Care (2003-2005)
- Chairperson, Gastonia Mayor’s Taskforce on Homelessness (2002-2005)
My Vision for Gastonia
As your representative on the Gastonia City Council, I will work to adopt ordinances and policies that reflect our community’s shared values. My priorities include:
- Building a Gastonia that uplifts and serves all residents
- Ensuring transparency and accountability in local government
- Expanding access to safe, affordable housing
- Enhancing public safety and community trust
- Supporting meaningful programs for youth and seniors
Let’s Move Gastonia Forward Together with Care, Communication, and Collaboration
Together, we can shape a future that honors Gastonia’s legacy while creating new opportunities for all who call this city home. I invite you to join me, whether by sharing your ideas, volunteering, or voting because lasting change begins with all of us.
Click below to see my participation at the January 6, 2025 Gastonia City Council Meeting.
Testimonials
A Lot of Passion!
Join Me in Voting for Angela!
Join Me in Voting for Angela!
I’ve known and collaborated with Angela Dreher for a lotta years- I did, however, just learn her middle name today - (Never woulda’ guessed Teresa but I digress). If Angela approaches city work like she approaches everything else I know we will see a lotta of passion, a whole lot of community love, and this is the thing that really impressed me about Angela - when she realized she could not sustain the work she loved with the unhoused and impoverished without a different approach guess what she did - she sort of disappeared and I wondered what was up. Then I bumped into her in Charlotte where she was, as an adult student getting her master’s degree so she roll back better than ever!
~ Dwayne Burks
Join Me in Voting for Angela!
Join Me in Voting for Angela!
Join Me in Voting for Angela!
Angela and I worked closely on community challenges during my mayoral tenure. I could always count on her compassion, intelligence and knowledge in every capacity. Angela served on Gastonia's 2010 All America City Team, the Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness and worked closely with the Gastonia Police Department Community Policing program. I consider Angela a close friend and enthusiastially endorse her for the Gastonia City Council Ward 4 seat. Please join me in voting for Angela Dreher on November 4.
~ Jennie Thomas Stultz
Mayor of Gastonia 1999-2011
Thank You Ms. Angie!
Angela is the Leader Our Community Needs
Angela is the Leader Our Community Needs
The first time I met Angela Dreher I was at the lowest point in my life. Ms. Angie, as everyone called her, ran As One Ministries. As One was a place for the homeless like myself to go to get out of the elements, get something to eat, and a place to shower. Ms. Angie also opened As One at night during the winter months when the temperature dropped below a certain degree. She helped others and myself with temporary housing until we could get back on our feet.
One day I was walking up Main Street when she pulled up beside me. Ms. Angie asked me if I would drop some mail in the post office box for her. When she handed me the mail, she gave me some money to buy some necessities that I needed, I’ll never forget that moment because it meant a lot to me. Ms. Angie was like that with most people. She always looked out for the homeless and people in her community.
I'm back on my feet now because of Ms. Angie and the grace of God. There's no telling where I'd be today if it wasn't for her kind and selfless acts.
~ Joe Walters
Angela is the Leader Our Community Needs
Angela is the Leader Our Community Needs
Angela is the Leader Our Community Needs
It is with great enthusiasm that I offer this testimonial for Angela, who is running for city council. I have had the privilege of being served by and working alongside Angela at As One Ministries, on several community and church initiatives, and I am consistently inspired by her dedication, integrity, and vision for our city.
Angela possesses a rare combination of compassion and pragmatism. She listens carefully to the concerns of residents and responds thoughtfully, always striving to find solutions that benefit everyone. Angela is not only approachable but also remarkably effective at bringing people together, whether it’s organizing neighborhood clean-ups, advocating for the unhoused, more inclusive public spaces, or supporting local businesses.
What truly sets Angela apart is their unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability. She believes in fostering trust between city leadership and residents, making it a priority to keep the community informed and involved in decision-making processes. Angela embraces diversity, values, open dialogue and works tirelessly to ensure every voice is heard.
I am confident that with Angela on the city council, our city will continue to grow as a place where opportunity, fairness, and innovation flourish. Angela demonstrates every quality we should seek in a public servant—integrity, energy, and a deep devotion to the well-being of all our neighbors.
For these reasons and more, I wholeheartedly support Angela’s campaign and encourage others to do the same. Our city would be fortunate to have such a dedicated and visionary leader guiding its future.
~ Sheila Barnett
Help Elect Angela
Your donation is an opportunity to be part of something bigger.
Show Angela that you have her back—give today!
- Make checks payable to the Committee to Elect Angela Dreher and send to:
- Zelle: Use campaign email Elect@AngelaDreher.com
- Or click the button below
