Meet in the Middle: Summer Camp Recap

We had an unforgettable week at Hairston Middle School during our Meet in the Middle Summer Camp! Kellin Foundation, Beyond Sports NC, and Guilford County Schools joined forces to provide rising 6th and 7th graders with a week filled with sports, games, crafts, and valuable lessons on mental wellness.

Campers engaged in activities like flag football, rugby, volleyball, and more, while also building resilience through sessions on coping skills, self-esteem, and healthy relationships.

Big thanks to everyone who made this week possible—our campers, staff, volunteers, and partners. We’re proud to support our youth as they gear up for middle school.

Introducing the 2025 Amanda Ireland Ward Scholarship Recipients

Each year, the Amanda Ireland Ward Scholarship gives us a chance to pause and celebrate young people in our community who reflect the values Mandy Ward carried with her every day—service, leadership, and compassion. This year, we’re proud to recognize two outstanding Guilford County graduates: La’Tierra Potts and Chloe Mark.

La’Tierra Potts, a graduate of James Benson Dudley Early College Academy, is heading to UNC Charlotte to study Pre-Nursing. As a first-generation college student, La’Tierra has shown remarkable dedication both inside and outside the classroom. She served as vice president of her school’s Student Government Association, is a member of the National Honor Society and CTE National Honor Society, and has volunteered her time with Cone Health and various school and community initiatives. Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant has only strengthened her passion for healthcare and fueled her long-term goal of becoming a pediatrician.

Chloe Mark, a graduate of Grimsley High School, will also attend UNC Charlotte, where she plans to major in Meteorology. For Chloe, studying the weather isn’t just an academic interest—it’s been a longtime dream. When touring UNC Charlotte, she felt an immediate connection with the campus and knew it was where she wanted to take her next steps. Chloe is looking forward to building new friendships, growing as a person, and diving deeper into her studies in climate and atmospheric science.

The Amanda Ireland Ward Scholarship was established in memory of Mandy Ward, a cherished advocate with the Kellin Foundation and lead coordinator of the Greensboro Child Response Initiative. Mandy’s sudden passing in 2016 left a lasting void in the lives of many, but her legacy lives on through programs like this scholarship and the Smiles for Miles Fun Run at Shea’s Chase, both of which carry forward her spirit of encouragement, community, and care for others. Each scholarship is a small but meaningful way to continue the work she loved—supporting young people with a heart for service and a drive to lead.

We’re honored to support La’Tierra and Chloe as they begin this next chapter and look forward to seeing all they will accomplish.

Healthy Aging: Mental Health Matters at Every Age

Getting older comes with its own set of challenges—some expected, some not so much. But one thing we do know? Mental health matters at every stage of life. That’s why the Kellin Foundation is launching a new initiative focused on Healthy Aging, made possible through a grant from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

The goal is simple: to make it easier for older adults and their families to access the mental health support they need. That means expanding access to evidence-based services for adults aged 60 and up and building community awareness around the unique mental health needs that can come with aging.

Aging can bring added stress: health concerns, caregiving responsibilities, grief, financial pressure, or simply a loss of routine and purpose. It can also increase the risk of loneliness, isolation, and—unfortunately—abuse. But with the right support, these challenges don’t have to define someone’s later years.

Kellin Foundation is working alongside trusted community partners—PACE of the Triad, Shepherd’s Center, High Point University’s Medication Management Program, Well-Spring, and Friends Homes—to bring coordinated services and deeper support to older adults in our community. Together, we’re aiming to reduce stigma, improve access to care, and build a stronger safety net for older adults and their families.

Because everyone deserves to be seen, supported, and cared for—at every age.

Curiosity, Code, and Community: Nehemiah Community Empowerment Center Brings STEM to the Hope Hub

There’s a new buzz at the Hope Hub this summer—and it sounds a lot like the whir of drones, the click of LEGO builds, and the curious questions of kids deep in discovery.

We’re proud to welcome Nehemiah Community Empowerment Center as the newest official partner at the Hope Hub. Over the past few months, they’ve already made a big impression—quietly transforming one of our rooms into a fully equipped computer lab designed to expand access to STEM learning for youth and families in our community.

Now, they’re launching their Summer STEM Club, a program for kids ages 6 to 11 that kicks off July 1. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 10:00–11:30 AM, young participants will explore drones, robotics, LEGO engineering, cybersecurity, animation, and immersive VR. It’s a hands-on, high-energy experience built to spark curiosity and open doors to future careers in science and technology.

Nehemiah is creating the kind of access that can change the course of a young person’s future. This partnership brings learning to life in ways that are bold, engaging, and full of possibility.

The program runs July 1 through August 7 and requires a one-time $50 fee to join. Space is limited.

Click here to sign up.

Nehemiah Community Empowerment Center is the first WozEd STEM Career Pathway Community Center in Guilford County. Their mission is to create exposure, career awareness, and opportunity—especially in neighborhoods where STEM programs are often hard to come by. Their partnership strengthens the Hope Hub’s vision: to be a space where wellness, education, and possibility meet under one roof.

This summer, that vision includes buzzing drones and wide-eyed kids discovering what they’re capable of—and we’re here for it.

They Don’t Do It for the Applause—But We Applauded Anyway

From left: Yvoncerria Sutton, Meaghan Whitson representing Triad Adult & Pediatric Medicine, Ronda Holloway representing Ward Black Law, and Kamilah Usoro.

You won’t find any of this year’s Journey Award winners asking for attention. That’s not really their thing. They’re too busy showing up, stepping in, lifting others, and—without a lot of fanfare—making the world better than they found it. That’s exactly why they were recognized at this year’s Journey to Brave.

The Journey Award for Education:
Kamilah Usoro brings innovation to life through her work with Triad Play, where children connect with nature, build life skills, and begin to heal from trauma in a space that feels safe and supportive. Her calm, intentional approach helps kids grow in ways that ripple out into the classroom, their families, and the wider community. It’s the kind of work that speaks for itself—and still deserves to be recognized out loud.

The Journey Award for Community:
Yvonnceria Sutton gives the kind of help that can’t be wrapped in red tape. From organizing meals to offering a safe place to sleep to handing out voter info and Wi-Fi hotspots—she acts fast and with heart. She’s been there. She knows what it’s like. And now, she’s using that experience to walk beside others. She doesn’t do this for grants or headlines. She does it because someone needs to—and because she can.

The Journey Award for Business:
Ward Black Law could teach a masterclass on community-minded business—but they probably wouldn’t. They prefer to give quietly. They donate without press releases. They serve without expecting anything back. Their values run deep, and they act on them without needing applause. But we gave them some anyway. Because if every business had their sense of responsibility, we’d all be better for it.

The Journey Award for Healthcare:
Triad Adult & Pediatric Medicine is expanding access to care with intention and heart. Their team is growing services where they’re needed most—offering pediatric dental care, opening a new health center, and continuing to serve families with the compassion and consistency they’re known for. It’s healthcare that reflects the strength of the communities they serve—and a commitment to walking alongside them.

To all of this year’s Journey Award winners: thank you. Not just for what you’ve done, but for how you do it—quietly, consistently, and always with heart.

Journey to Brave: A Night of Community and Care

Journey to Brave was a success, and we’re so grateful to everyone who came out to be part of it. From the live music and food to the raffles, games, and a few bear hugs along the way—it was an evening filled with energy, generosity, and community spirit. A heartfelt thank you to every volunteer, donor, and attendee who showed up to support our mission, and to our generous sponsors who helped make the night possible. Your support ensures that children, teens, adults, and families in our community can access free mental health care when they need it most.

Photos thanks to Joselyn Sims. https://bit.ly/4jQNWhf