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About Us

Our Mission

Our Mission

Our Mission

Inspire, support, and advocate for young children and their families in areas including health, education, and childcare.

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Our Vision

Our Vision

All children will reach their full potential by having the best childhood possible. 

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Our Vision
Children in Indoor Playground
Meet the Team

Meet The Team

Juliet
Rogers

 
Lisa
Culpepper

 
Tara
Willeford
Karyn 
Cartwright

 
Deb
Cook

 
Cynthia 
Jackson
Rene
Fox

 

"I love to see that light go on when someone realizes that being strong is one of the greatest feelings in the world." Passion for children has greatly influenced Juliet’s life and work. As the Partnership's Executive Director, she leads this small but mighty nonprofit. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Miami University of Oxford, Ohio. Juliet lives with her husband, Richard, in Morehead City. She has 2 children, Kelly and Julian, and loves the beautiful Crystal Coast. 

Deb is our Finance Manager. She comes to the Partnership with over 35 years of finance experience. Her expertise in fiscal management and accounting provides the oversight that keeps the Partnership humming along. Deb lives in New Bern and enjoys spending time on the boat and with her grandchildren. 

As the Partnership's Program Manager.

Tara brings over 20 years experience working directly with children and families. She is the coordinator of our Baby Steps program, and oversees the Reach Out and Read program. She has a degree in Human Services from Florida State University. Tara has seen the positive impact that investment in early childhood programming has on our community. When families succeed, children succeed.

Lisa is our Early Education Outreach Coordinator, as well as the Affiliate Coordinator for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Lisa has worked passionately to enhance the lives of young children since 1999. She has earned Associate's degrees in Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation and a Bachelor’s in Early Education. Her greatest enjoyment is hanging out with her family, especially her two grandbabies.

Rene serves as our Subsidy Coordinator and Technical Assistant Specialist. Rene has been working in the Early Childhood field for over 25 years.

She believes that children learn best when their learning environment is designed in a way that meets their unique developmental needs and encourages exploration, creativity, and independence. Rene believes that early childhood education should constantly evolve with our fast-paced society.

A local girl who has worked in CCR&R for the last 20 years. As Director of CCR&R, Cynthia has worked with parents providing childcare options and in facilities providing training and technical assistance. She advocates for Early Childhood teachers, believing they are necessary for our youngest citizens to have a wonderful, smart start.

Karyn is the Program Facilitator for the Story Explorers' program. She has been with Carteret Partnership for Children since September. However, she and her children have been part of the Story Explorers' family since 2008 . Her experience as a first-grade teacher lends her skills to plan and implement Story Explorers' activities that are developmentally appropriate and enhance early education. 

Board of Directors
List of Donors
Board of
Directors

-Gwen Roberts, Carteret County Rape Crisis

-Shannon Henry, Project Superhero

-Zac Everhart, At Large

-Lucy Bond, At Large

-Nic Carey, Crystal Coast Proud/Wild Arrow Hair Studio

-Donald Crooms, Faith Tabernacle of Praise

-Tiffany Crosley, Easter Seals/Child First

-Bart Farrell, Edward Jones

-Kay Huffman, Carteret County Department of Social Services/Health Department

-Kathryn Hunsucker, Carteret Counseling Services

-Jennifer Johnson, Chairperson, At Large

-Jodi Justice, Justice Elite Dance Company

-Lisa Kittrell, Carteret County Public Schools

-Rebecca Marson, Vice Chairperson, Crystal Coast Gymnastics

-Dr. Katharine Moorehead, Carteret Children’s Clinic

-Zac Steffey, Town of Cape Carteret 

-Stephanie Stevenson, Carteret County Cooperative Extension

-Lacy Salter , Carteret County Health Department

-Kevin McCarthy, Secretary, Sound Choice Insurance

-Michelle Querry, Treasurer, Crystal Coast Economic Development

Community 
Partners & 
Donors

Frank Doors 

Bluewater Associates of Emerald Isle INC

Shortway Brewing

Tru Fit Gym

Island Girl Charters

Mitchell Village Animal Hospital

J. M. Davis

Project Superhero   

PNC Financial Group

Artistic Tile and Stone

The Pool & Patio Store

Sports Center

Childcare Network

Excel Learning Centers

Carteret Children’s Clinic

ReMax Ocean Properties

Putnam Real Estate

Johnson Family Dentistry

Carteret Craven Electric

PNC Foundation

Carteret Community Foundation

Beaufort Food & Wine

Wal-Mart

Beaufort Woman's Club

International Paper

Weyerhaeuser Foundation

Anonymous Trust Foundation

Carolina East Foundation

Z. Smith Reynolds

Bojangles Foundation 

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