Shaphaun Black: The Moments That Remind Me Why I Do This Work: An MST Therapist’s Perspective
Change doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes it starts with a family willing to try something new, a youth discovering their own potential, or a caregiver learning a new way to connect. For Shaphaun Black, MST Therapist at Alexander Youth Network, these moments are what make the work meaningful. Every day, Shaphaun partners with families navigating […]
Miranda Wilson: When Families Need Someone in Their Corner
Sometimes, the Support Families Need Most Is Someone Who Understands No parent expects to navigate a child’s mental health journey. One day, everything feels normal. The next, you’re sitting in doctor’s offices, meeting with schools, searching for resources, and wondering if you’re making the right decisions. It can be overwhelming. That’s why Family Peer Support […]
Career Day at Alexander Youth Network: Creating Space for What’s Possible
On June 18, Alexander Youth Network hosted its first-ever Career Day. What happened that day went far beyond a program or an event. It became a moment of recognition and possibility for the young people in the room. For many of our youth, this was not just about learning about the different careers that […]
Celebrating Our Kids 2026
On April 21, 2026 we hosted our annual fundraising luncheon, Celebrating Our Kids, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame! We were joined by over 300 community members, donors, and partners to hear more about the mission of Alexander Youth Network and learn how they can help support the children we serve. This year, we heard […]
Congratulations Blaine Sanders, 2026 Outstanding Individual Attorney Award
When Expertise Meets Purpose: Celebrating Blaine Sanders Some partnerships make the work easier. Others make the work possible. For Alexander Youth Network, Blaine Sanders has been both. We are proud to celebrate Blaine on receiving the 2026 Outstanding Individual Attorney Award at the Mecklenburg County Bar Law & Society Gala in Charlotte. This recognition honors […]
A Message from Our CEO: Alexander’s Commitment to North Carolina’s Children in 2026
As we welcome a new year, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the year behind us and the future ahead at Alexander Youth Network. This past year marked my first as CEO, and it has been a year of change, progress, and forward movement across the organization. We served thousands of children […]
Employee Spotlight: Leonard Shinhoster, Our New Vice President of Program Operations
“I treat everyone with respect, not because of who they are, but because of who I am. You never know what someone’s carrying, and kindness might be the only calm they feel all day.” For 25 years, Leonard Shinhoster has been a steady, compassionate presence at Alexander Youth Network. His leadership is more than a […]
Employee Spotlight: Jessica Hofstetter, Our New Family Peer Support Supervisor
“Stand, even if your knees are shaking.” These words reflect the heart of our newest program at Alexander Youth Network and the strength behind the person leading it. We’re proud to introduce Jessica Hofstetter as our Family Peer Support Supervisor, a role created to launch and lead our Family Peer Support Program, made possible through a […]
A Mother’s Breath: Jenny Harbin’s Story of Courage, Crisis, and the Lifeline She Found at Alexander Youth Network
When Jenny Harbin stepped into her child’s elementary school last October, she didn’t know she was walking into a moment that would redefine her as a mother and as a human being. Her child, just 8 years old, was in crisis. The school was on lockdown. Paramedics and police were already there. And Jenny, heart […]
Hope Through a Parent’s Eyes: Dr. Gisèle Chando’s Journey with Alexander Youth Network
For many families, navigating a child’s mental health journey can feel like a maze — daunting, emotional, and often isolating. But for Dr. Gisèle Chando, what began as a long and challenging road ultimately led to a place of hope, structure, and transformation through Alexander Youth Network. Nine years ago, Dr. Chando’s world shifted when […]