Staff Spotlight: Ciera Harrison

When Ciera Harrison first came to Kellin Foundation, it was as a graduate intern finishing her master’s in social work. She spent months here learning the pace of the work and the needs of the people we serve. By the time she joined the staff in June 2025, the transition was natural—like stepping into a role she’d already begun to inhabit.

Ciera holds an associate clinical social work license and focuses her practice on individuals and families. She grew up in rural North Carolina, later making Greensboro her home. After earning her undergraduate degree in social work from UNC Greensboro, she continued to Appalachian State University for her master’s. Her approach is trauma-informed and person-centered, rooted in the belief that people make their greatest progress when they feel safe, unhurried, and genuinely heard.

Colleagues describe her as deliberate and attentive, someone who notices details and makes room for what’s hard to say. She hopes to be remembered for kindness—a thread that runs through her work and her life.

Outside of work, Ciera enjoys simple, grounding pleasures: coffee shops, bookstores, thrift stores, and time in nature. At home with her husband and cats, she crafts, creates art, reads, and unwinds with a good show—favorites include Gilmore Girls, and New Girl. She’s partial to chocolate-covered pretzels for a snack, cheesecake for a treat, and Bloom by The Paper Kites for a soundtrack.

For those who’ve met her, it’s easy to see: the way she listens is an act of care in itself.

School-Based Mental Health: How Kellin Foundation Supports Students Onsite

Kellin Foundation provides school-based mental health services designed to bring behavioral health services directly to students during the school day. Launched in partnership with Guilford County Schools, the program aims to meet students where they are—at their schools - to minimize barriers and increase access to needed supports.

Services include individual therapy, youth peer support, and navigation services to help link students with needed supports beyond behavioral health. Students are able to access these onsite services, or if they prefer, they can also do telehealth or come to Kellin Foundation’s clinic at the Hope Hub. By embedding these services into schools, and offering a variety of ways to access services (in-person at school, telehealth, or at Kellin’s clinic), the program helps eliminate one of the most common barriers to care: transportation. It also creates opportunities for closer collaboration with school teams, leading to more consistent support for students and families.

Like any program, there are kinks to work out as new processes were built such as establishing streamlined referral systems, coordinating with parents during the school day for intake and screenings, navigating language access needs, and building out clinical staffing for onsite presence. But the foundation has been laid for long-term success. Stronger relationships were built with GCS support services, and staff at participating schools received training focused on mental health and family engagement.

The early feedback has been encouraging. “One high school student told us, ‘I’m really glad that I decided to do this. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made for myself,’” says Melanie Garner, Wraparound Services Supervisor at Kellin Foundation. “And we’ve heard from school staff who are seeing a difference in students’ classroom behavior and attendance.”

The school-based mental health services have reinforced what we already knew—when mental health care is accessible, students are more likely to engage. And when care is coordinated, families feel less alone.

We’re looking forward to expanding on the strong foundation that has been laid, and working closely with Guilford County Schools to reach more students and support the well-being of the family as a whole to ensure school success. 

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.