Under One Sky Staff
We’d love to hear from you and answer any questions you might have about our programs and services. Below are the year-round staff of Under One Sky. We are committed to providing the youth in our program, their social workers, and families the very best in service and care.
Diane Delafield, Founder and Executive Director
Public Relations, Donations, Resource Development
Under One Sky Village Planning and Supervision
Phone: 828-251-9703
email: diane@under1sky.org
While meeting and interviewing hundreds of youth in foster care in North Carolina as Founding Director of Campaigns for Kids, I listened to them tell their stories of hope, despair, and resignation. I saw how their behavioral, emotional, and psychological issues often impeded their ability to ready themselves for adoption and make a successful transition into an adoptive family. For years I have envisioned a healing environment for these youth and the people in their lives who support them. I am honored to be the Executive Director of Under One Sky and to continue my commitment to help youth awaken to a renewed sense of purpose, connect with their inner resources and ultimately to a family and community of loving support. As part of my life path, I adopted my son Jesse at age fifteen and feel blessed to have built my family through adoption.
Tina Peterson, MSW, Youth Services Director
Enrollment and Social Worker Relations
Youth-in-Transition Mentoring and Training
Phone: 704-820-0700
email: tpeterson11@carolina.rr.com
It has been my life’s calling to be a social worker, and that path led me to obtaining my Master’s Degree in Social Work, working for a Department of Social Services for seven years, and then working outside of the system for three years assisting agencies in developing recruitment materials and strategies for youth with the plan of adoption. My journey as a social worker has taken many turns, but I have always ended up heading in the same direction—serving youth who have been neglected, abused and abandoned. Eventually I found my way to Under One Sky, and I have been with the Passages program since the opening camp in May 2005. I cherish these youth for their teachings, spiritual gifts, tenacity, and their ability to love without limit. I appreciate the honor of serving these youth who I will nurture and guide as they determine their own life path.
Holly Paar, Program Manager
Passages Youth Camp Program, Event Planning and Staff Relations
Youth Engagement Programs
Phone: 828-251-9703
email: holly@under1sky.org
I came to fill the position of Program Manager with Under One Sky in the spring of 2006, having worked in western North Carolina developing adoption support programs in eleven counties and providing other services to youth at risk for over a decade. As Program Manager with Under One Sky, I oversee the youth programs and program materials, supervise camp staff, coordinate Village Adoption Connection events, and develop new programming. I am constantly amazed by how much wisdom and strength these youth have, and I feel privileged to serve and learn from them. Having only worked with youth in short-term rehabilitative programs, I love seeing the youth enrolled in Passages grow from season to season and year to year.
Christopher Keiser, Camp Director
Phone: (828) 251-9703
email: christopher@under1sky.org
I am the Camp Director and Logistics Coordinator for Under One Sky. Before and after camp sessions I work closely with our camp facility and other Under One Sky staff to develop camp programming and logistics related to camp. At camp I help run all of our whole camp activities as well as provide support for staff and youth in need. Besides making lots of announcements, being the all time kickball pitcher, and facilitating our circles, I am also a go-to person for any logistical needs. A new responsibility of mine will be working with mostly older campers in facilitating Rites Of Passage experiences in and outside the camp setting.
Marie Hall, Financial Manager
Phone: (828) 251-9703
email: mariehall@charter.net
I am the Financial Manager for Under One Sky and have always wanted to be part of an organization working with youth and helping them live up to their life’s dreams. I spend a lot of time behind the scenes working on financial management, and most of all enjoy the times when I visit camp and get to know the children. I feel it’s important to give back and I want the children to know there is hope and that they can find love. It’s important to me that all children have an equal opportunity to grow to their fullest potential. I am fortunate to be part of such a meaningful organization, knowing that in some way I am making a difference in the lives of children.
Julie Abbott, Human Services Consultant
Writing, Editing, Resource Development
Project Management, Video Direction
Phone: (828) 645-2649
email: julabbott@msn.com
As a former social worker, I was drawn to Under One Sky’s mission and unique approach to finding families for older youth in foster care. Since 1997, I’ve had the opportunity to serve the organization in a variety of roles, helping to make a difference in the lives of the youth in their program. My experience with Under One Sky includes project management, video direction and film editing, resource development, and writing/editing copy for feature articles, brochures, grants, and video scripts. It is a privilege to do this work and to follow the journeys of the youth as they discover their talents, achieve their goals, and become the young adults they were meant to be.
What Staff Love about Camp
“I love watching the kids be themselves, stretching themselves by trying something new, and accepting one another.”
“I love how they learn to work together, how they get freed up to be creative.”
“I love how a youth who’s never been to camp before can say at the end of camp in front of fifty people how comfortable they feel, how easy it is to be with others who know their situation.”
Under One Sky Year-round Staff in 2008
