During Quarter 2 (October 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024), NCVA conducted a total of 9 trainings to connect with the public (e.g. youth and families), provide technical assistance for the workforce, and foster systems level change.

*Training was canceled due to Hurricane Helene. 

Upon completion of the trainings, approximately 98% of the participants indicated being satisfied with the results of the trainings and shared positive feedback on the satisfaction surveys. 

Quarter 1: July - September

Quarter 2: October - December

Quarter 3: January - March

Quarter 4: April - June

Registrations by County

Registrants from 37 Counties

Participants from various regions across the state of North Carolina attended the trainings. 

Frederick Douglas

Family Training Coordinator

Kara Lynch

Communication & Outreach Coordinator

My biggest success from last quarter was the incredible response to our i2i (Insight to Innovation) conference presentation, "Snapshots of Mental Health: Envisioning a Thriving North Carolina Through Imagery and Youth Voice." Derrick Harris, President & Conference Chair of the North Carolina Juvenile Services Association (NCJSA), found it so impactful that he personally invited us to present at the NCJSA conference in April 2025. Opportunities like these is how we continually build connections and get the word out!

Kara and Kyle presenting at the Insight to Innovation conference in December

Chandrika Brown

Collaboration Coordinator

A lot has happened during 2024 that has affected most families. These life incidents weigh very heavily on our families during the holiday time. I had the pleasure of working with a family (a mother who is a single parent to 3 boys) that had been struck by an unexpected death. This turned her world upside down. She was especially worried about Christmas for her boys. I had the opportunity to demonstrate System of Care by partnering with a faith-based organization in Alamance County called Men of Steel. They partnered and adopted this family and provided them with Christmas and a holiday evening out with dinner. This also allowed members of the CYFCP Center to help support this family as well. When you can lift a burden off a parent and put smiles on their faces it truly warms your heart. 

Kyle Reece

Youth Training Coordinator

Last quarter saw a few successes that I was very proud of such as having a record high attendance in our Youth Engagement Webinar and assisting Easterseals with hiring and training 2 new Youth Peer Support Partners. Our program has been impacting youth support professionals across North Carolina in significant ways. However, I was most proud of our Youth Advocacy presentation at Cummings High School. Chandrika Brown and I met with 20 High School students who are eager to improve their school and their community by sharing their voices and expressing what they would like to see improved. Our presentation covered youth advocacy and how to share stories. We had a great discussion with the youth and their principal on how we can help them be more engaged in improving their school and expressing their needs to the school board. 

We hope to continue this partnership with Cummings High School and meet with them again soon to ensure the youth have the support they need to be amazing advocates for their school and community. We also hope to engage these youth with other advocacy opportunities, such as our Speaker's Bureau and future youth leadership trainings. We are very excited to continue to support the youth in our communities grow and utilize their voices of experience to impact their school and their community! 

This FREE Speakers Bureau
is designed for young adults
14-24 who are passionate about
sharing their experiences to
create meaningful changes in their
communities.

Learn directly from skilled youth
advocates and prepare to share your
voice to affect meaningful change!

Willow Burgess-Johnson

Program Manager

NC Youth and Family Voices Amplified has our eyes set to the future growth of the Youth and Family Peer Support field in North Carolina. We strive to support the wellbeing of the youth and family peer workforce in a wholistic manner. Our efforts span from awareness and recruitment in the general community, to training and technical support for youth and Family Peers, to the development of infrastructure and policy that will sustain this work for years to come. All of this work takes passion, focus, and commitment. In a world that is often chaotic and distracting, connecting with others who have similar passion, focus, and commitment can lead to tremendous positive progress. NCVA is so excited to have the opportunity to continue to build connections and to continue to find opportunities for collaboration. We are expanding our staff in order to be able to support continued growth in this field. We are also so excited to be able to offer increased support to local communities around meaningful engagement of youth and families in community collaboratives. NCVA is partnering with community providers to offer community-based Family Peer Support which should lead to deeper understanding of its impact. NCVA has deep hopes for connection and collaboration moving forward in 2025.   

Willow, Chandrika, Rachael, Kyle, Sabrina, and Fred (left to right) at the National Federation of Families 2024 Conference 

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