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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
Executive Director

Lisa Culpepper
Director 
Childcare Resource & Referral

Tara Willeford
Program Manager

Deb Cook
Chief Financial Officer

Kindra Hamilton
Coordinator of
Family Services

Rene Fox
Subsidy Coordinator/
TA Specialist

"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 Chief Financial Officer. 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 25+ years experience working directly with children and families. 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 serves as the Director of Childcare Resource & Referral.  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 five 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.

Kindra is the Coordinator of Family Services. Kindra directs the

Story Explorers program as well as Dolly Parton Imagination Library  A native of Carteret County, Kindra lives with her husband and three children in Morehead City. Kindra joins the Partnership with years of experience working in Early Intervention. In her free time she enjoys spending time

on the boat and traveling. 

Board of Directors
List of Donors
Board of
Directors

Vicki Wank                                               Carteret County Rape Crisis

Misty Vargas                                            Excel Learning Centers

Lucy Bond                                                 At Large

Mardell Miller                                            Easter Seals

Christina Miller                                         At Large

Nic Carey                                                   Crystal Coast Proud/Wild Arrow Hair Studio

Kay Huffman                                            Carteret County Department of Social Services

Kevin McCarthy, Secretary                Sound Choice Insurance

Michelle Querry, Treasurer                 Chambers of Innovation

Stephanie Stevenson                           Carteret County Cooperative Extension

Jennifer Johnson, President              At Large

Rebecca Marson, Vice President    Crystal Coast Gymnastics

Brittany Jannise                                      United Healthcare Community & State 
 

Community 
Partners & 
Donors

Synergy Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine

First Flight Federal Credit Union

Tar Heel Basement Systems

Mattress Firm

United Healthcare

Rogers CPA

Great Clips

Sound Choice Insurance, LLC

Liftavator 

Sound Escape

Excel Learning Centers

Deborah Cook

Excel Learning Centers

Rotary Club of Morehead City-Noon

Carteret Health Care

Crystal Coast Gymnastics

Seasoned Southerners

Sunrise Pediatrics

Barrett Davis and Associates Family Dentistry

Frank Doors 

Bluewater Associates of Emerald Isle INC

Kurtis Chevrolet

Shortway Brewing

Beaufort Ole Towne Rotary Club 

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

Walmart

Beaufort Woman's Club

International Paper

Weyerhaeuser Foundation

Anonymous Trust Foundation

Carolina East Foundation

Z. Smith Reynolds

Bojangles Foundation 

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