Journey to Brave 2026 Highlights

Journey to Brave started off with a sold out room full of people who care deeply about this community and believe mental health and substance use care should be easier to access for every person who needs it.

On May 1st, supporters from across Guilford County and North Carolina gathered at Starmount Forest Country Club for an evening benefiting the Kellin Foundation and the continued growth of the Hope Hub. Dressed in cocktail attire and ready to celebrate, guests spent the evening reconnecting with friends, meeting new faces, and rallying around a shared commitment to care, connection, and community.

By the end of the night, Journey to Brave had raised just under $125,000, exceeding this year’s fundraising goal.

There was joy in the room all evening long. Guests laughed through spirited rounds of Heads or Tails and lined up for the Golden Ticket, hoping for the chance to walk away with the prize of their choice. During the Dessert Dash, tables pooled their bids and strategized like old friends around a game table, trying to outbid neighboring groups before their favorite desserts disappeared. Before long, slices of delicious donated cakes and trays of pastries were weaving through the ballroom as tables celebrated their wins and passed desserts around the room.

The silent auction gave guests the chance to bid on an incredible collection of experiences, artwork, dining packages, entertainment, and local treasures donated by businesses and supporters across the Triad.

Later in the evening, supporters came together during Fund a Need to invest directly in the future of the Hope Hub and the expansion of accessible care in Guilford County. Paddle after paddle went into the air as guests gave toward a future where children, adults, and families can reach support earlier and stay connected to care under one roof.

The excitement continued into the live auction, where guests bid on a wide range of experiences and items, including trips, entertainment packages, and even a diamond pendant from Schiffman's Jewelers.

Journey to Brave is intentionally held on May 1st to open National Mental Health Month. Funds raised throughout the evening support the Kellin Foundation’s work to provide earlier and easier access to mental health and substance use services, peer support, wraparound care, community education, and integrated supports for children, adults, seniors, and families throughout Guilford County.

The evening closed with the presentation of the 2026 Journey Awards, honoring individuals whose work continues to shape and strengthen this community in lasting ways.

This year’s recipients were:
• Journey Award in Community: Tiffany Jacobs of Forge Greensboro
• Journey Award in Education: Dee Craven of Guilford Partnership for Children
• Journey Award in Business: Melissa Slade Smith of Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

We are deeply grateful to every sponsor, donor, volunteer, auction donor, planning committee member, board member, and guest who helped make the evening what it was.

Thank you for showing up, celebrating with us, and continuing to believe in this work.

A Look at Kellin Foundation’s 2025 Impact

Each year, we take a step back to look at what has been built, who has been reached, and how support continues to take shape across our community.

Our 2025 Annual Report captures that work.

In a year marked by growing need, Kellin Foundation served nearly 14,000 individuals through counseling, peer support, wraparound services, and prevention efforts.

That work translated into real, measurable outcomes:

• 9,621 clinical, peer support, and wraparound sessions delivered

• 12,836 individuals trained in mental health education and prevention

• 74,323 pounds of food distributed, reaching 3,822 people

• 342 individuals supported through the Community Response Initiative (CRI)

Just as important, 100 percent of surveyed clients said they would recommend Kellin Foundation to others, a reflection of the trust and consistency behind the care being delivered.

But the numbers only tell part of the story.

At the center of this work is the Hope Hub. It is a model designed to bring services together so individuals and families can access support without navigating disconnected systems. Mental health care, food access, tutoring, crisis response, and community partnerships are coordinated in one place to reduce barriers and simplify access.

This year also marked continued progress. Services expanded. Partnerships deepened. Investments in the space strengthened the ability to meet growing demand and support long term stability.

The result is a more connected system of care. It meets immediate needs while helping individuals and families move toward stability over time.

Read the full 2025 Annual Report.

Greensboro SWARM for Mental Health!

On Friday, March 27, the Greensboro Swarm hosted Mental Health Game Night, bringing the community together for an evening centered on mental health.

The Kellin Foundation was honored to be the nonprofit the Swarm chose to spotlight, helping bring attention to mental health and access to care right here in our community.

One of the most memorable parts of the night was seeing the players take the court in jerseys designed by Kellin Kids. Bright, expressive, and full of personality, the designs reflected the voices and creativity of the young people we serve. Before the game, those same kids lined up to high five the players as they ran onto the court. It was a moment they will not forget, and neither will we.

The night carried a lot of energy, from the stands to the court, and the Greensboro Swarm came away with the win.

We are grateful to the Greensboro Swarm for creating this opportunity and for their continued partnership. We also want to thank Blue Cross NC for their support in helping make the night possible.

Take a look at some of our favorite moments below.

Now Accepting Applications for the 2026 Amanda Ireland Ward Scholarship

Applications are now open for the 2026 Amanda Ireland Ward Scholarship, a one-time $2,000 award that honors the legacy of a remarkable advocate, mentor, and friend.

Mandy Ward was a child and family advocate with the Kellin Foundation who touched thousands of lives through her work and her deep commitment to leadership, service, and laughter. The scholarship that bears her name continues this legacy by supporting graduating high school seniors in Guilford County who share those same values.

This scholarship is designed for students who:

• Are graduating seniors and current residents of Guilford County

• Have a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA

• Plan to attend a four-year accredited college in North Carolina

• Demonstrate leadership, service, and a desire to connect with others

• Participate in extracurricular activities or volunteer work

Students from first responder families and girls' leadership academies are especially encouraged to apply—two communities that were close to Mandy’s heart.

To apply, students must submit:

• A completed application form

• A brief written statement (minimum 100 words)

• An official high school transcript

• Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a teacher)

• Optional: FAFSA Student Aid Report and standardized test scores

All application materials must be postmarked by March 1, 2026.

Completed applications should be mailed to:
Kellin Foundation
ATTN: Amanda Ireland Ward Scholarship
4010 Walker Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27403

The Amanda Ireland Ward Scholarship recognizes students who lead with heart, serve with intention, and bring others along with them. We’re honored to support the next generation of leaders who reflect Mandy’s values and vision.

Recovery Can Happen: Building a Stronger Workforce for Mental Health

A new chapter is unfolding at the Kellin Foundation as we take an important step forward in both workforce development opportunities and recovery support. Through our Recovery Can Happen program, we’re now an approved curriculum provider for the North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCCPSS) training! 

Peer Support Specialists play a vital role in the mental health field. They are individuals who draw from their own lived experience with recovery to walk alongside others navigating mental health and substance use challenges. Their insight brings understanding and hope—something no textbook can fully teach.

The Recovery Can Happen curriculum was written by the late Terri Spears, former Peer Support Specialist Supervisor at the Kellin Foundation. Terri poured her experience, compassion, and deep understanding of recovery into this work. Her dedication continues to guide and inspire the next generation of Peer Support Specialists who will carry that same spirit of connection and care into the community.

Because of her connection to the Kellin Foundation and commitment to peer support, Terri ensured that the Recovery Can Happen curriculum continues to be offered at Kellin. The Recovery Can Happen program blends discussion, group learning, and real-world application to prepare participants for certification. Over five days, trainees explore the principles of recovery, ethics, communication, and self-care, gaining the tools to support others while also building sustainable career paths in behavioral health.

Offering this training at the Kellin Foundation’s Hope Hub makes it easier for community members to pursue a meaningful profession that strengthens our local behavioral health network. It also reflects Kellin’s broader mission—building resilience, expanding opportunity, and ensuring that recovery is not only possible but within reach.

Two sessions are currently scheduled: November 17–21 and December 15–19, both hosted at the Hope Hub.

To learn more about Recovery Can Happen or register for an upcoming session, visit wellsurgent.com.

At the Hope Hub, every program helps plant the seeds of recovery, connection, and growth—right where they’re needed most.

Staff Spotlight — Melanie Garner

Melanie Garner

If you’ve ever met Melanie Garner, you know she’s the kind of person who makes things happen and makes people feel cared for in the process. As Wraparound Services Supervisor at the Kellin Foundation, Melanie is often the first in line to help families find the support they need through our Community Response Initiative (CRI).

Whether it’s food assistance, housing resources, or help navigating community systems, Melanie works to connect families with services beyond mental health care, the kinds of support that help make stability and healing possible. She also leads the organizational charge of wraparound services alongside our School-Based Mental Health clinicians serving students and families in Guilford County schools.

Outside of work, Melanie brings her trademark enthusiasm and creativity to every corner of her life. She enjoys volunteering with the Community Theatre of Greensboro, reading, and spending time with her two beloved fur babies, Louis Vuitton and Coco Chanel. Her favorite snack? Trader Joe’s Jalapeño Cheddar with crackers. Her favorite treat? Frozen dates filled with peanut butter.

When she needs to unwind, you might find her watching Love Island or listening to “Good Times Go By Way Too Fast” by Dylan Scott, a fitting theme for someone who finds joy in life’s fleeting moments.

Asked what she hopes to be remembered for, Melanie says simply:

“That I loved life and found joy in the small things.”

It’s a sentiment that fits her perfectly. In her work and in her life, Melanie reminds us that small moments of kindness and connection can make the biggest difference.