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.

Shea’s Chase 2025: A Look Back

The 10th Annual Shea’s Chase may have started under overcast skies, but the spirit of the day shined through. Runners, walkers, volunteers, and friends came together to honor Shea’s legacy and to support mental health for all.

The morning began with the Smiles for Miles Fun Run, held in memory of Amanda Ireland Ward, whose joyful spirit continues to inspire those who take part each year. From the first steps of the fun run to the final strides of the 5K, it was a morning of movement and community.

We made some quick weather calls—including canceling the band out of precaution—but the energy never wavered. Smiles, laughter, and connection filled Revolution Mill as participants crossed the finish line and celebrated another year of coming together for a cause that matters deeply to our community.

A special thank you to photographer Shauna Ireland of Just Kidding Productions, who captured the heart of the day beautifully. View the full Shea’s Chase 2025 photo gallery here.

Because of everyone who registered, volunteered, sponsored, and donated, more people will be able to access the free mental health services provided by the Kellin Foundation.

Events like Shea’s Chase help sustain the Hope Hub’s vision of a community where support and care are always within reach.

We’re already looking ahead to next year’s race on September 26, 2026—and hoping for blue skies.