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 […]
Employee Spotlight: Hadjaratou Diallo
“I lead with empathy, listen with intention, and believe deeply in the strength of families.” For Hadjaratou Diallo, this work is personal. As a Family Peer Support Specialist at Alexander Youth Network, she stands in the gap for families, helping them find their voice in moments when they may feel overlooked, unheard, or overwhelmed. Since […]
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 […]
Employee Spotlight: Ashley Nieves
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank Ashley Nieves doesn’t just quote this line; she lives it every single day. Ashley started with Alexander Youth Network back in 2014 as a Customer Care Specialist in the Access to Services department. At the […]
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: Nikki Cannon
For more than 16 years, Nikki Cannon has been a steady force of leadership and compassion at Alexander Youth Network. Her journey is rooted in a deeply personal calling to help children heal, grow, and find their way to brighter futures. Finding a Calling in the Work Nikki’s connection to the mission of Alexander Youth […]
Employee Spotlight: Fran Hart
Shaping Futures: Fran Hart’s Impact Across Generations “I know that what we do will have long-term effects. We may not see it right away, but we give them the tools to use in their future with the hope that they remember what they have learned and use it to be successful once they leave us.” […]