Volunteer Corner: Impacting the Lives of Others and Our Own
Webster’s dictionary defines volunteerism as “the principle of donating time and energy for the benefit of other people in the community as a social responsibility rather than for any financial reward”. This definition, however, doesn’t begin to define the profound impact a volunteer can have on the lives of others. Rebecca McLaughlin is a former […]
Creating Calming Rooms
A Calming Room is a space that is meant to be a supportive therapeutic environment which assists children in self-calming efforts by offering them a designated space to relax and self-regulate. It is a designated place designed to calm the senses where the student can experience calming visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli. Items that should […]
Employee Spotlight: Thomas Montaglione
Thomas Montaligone’s career in behavioral health spans 8 years, with 5 of those years being spent in the Charlotte area. In that short amount of time, Tom’s impact has been tremendous as he worked to become the Young Adult Program Manager for The Relatives. As the Young Adult Program Manager, Tom helps manage the On Ramp Resource Center, which […]
Multiple Careers Paths With One Common Thread – Making An Impact
Jessie Britt shares his outlook on life, his career, and his community throughout his 20-year career working in children’s mental and behavioral health. Originally from Gates County, North Carolina, Jessie Britt has lived a life that not many have imagined in a rural farm town. He has played in the NFL, worked on the streets as […]
A Family Mission to Serve
Executive Director, Ashley Sparks, didn’t think she would wind up working in mental health like her parents but after years working in development, she found herself drawn to the field of social services. From a young age, Ashley Sparks was drawn to music and the arts with the dream of being a teacher. Most of […]
Helping More Than Kids, Helping Families
Alexander Youth Network believes that in order for healing to begin for our kids, we have to care for the whole child. This means not only providing treatment and services to the children in our care but assisting their families as well. The COVID-19 pandemic has had disastrous impacts on many in our community, including the […]
Employee Spotlight: Beth Altmix
As one of our licensed therapists for the Charlotte Residential Treatment program, Beth Altmix has long days but is motivated by her inspiration for working with kids and finding joy in what she does. Read about why she is a part of Alexander Youth Network and what advice she has for younger therapists. What is […]
Heroes’ Corner: Alexander Children’s Foundation Spotlight
Navigating Transitions With The Help Of Others Alexander Youth Network features our countless community members who have supported our kids over the past few weeks of uncertainty. Alexander Youth Network wants to say thank you! Over the past few weeks, we have been amazed by the continued support of our volunteers and donors, in helping provide seamless […]
A Mission To Connect
Charlotte Campus Executive Director, Leonard Shinhoster, shares over 20 years of his personal and professional experience at Alexander Youth Network. If you have ever visited Alexander Youth Network’s Charlotte campus, you have probably met Leonard Shinhoster. He is almost always unmistakenly decked out in a blazer with a Washington Redskins cap. Usually, he’s the first friendly […]
Bark and Heal: Building Relationships & Building Skills
Alexander Youth Network welcomes the latest Bark and Heal class to our Charlotte Psychiatric Residential Program. Bark and Heal is one of the many therapeutic programs at Alexander Youth Network. The canine skills training programs offers the children at Alexander the opportunity to develop individual relationships with the dog they are paired within the program. At the […]
