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UNDER ONE SKY VILLAGE FOUNDATION STAFF

A year-round core Leadership Team of three provides support between camp programs to all youth and their foster or adoptive families. A camp program staff of fifteen professionals from the community make a long-term commitment to delivering our programs throughout the year. 

​This commitment helps to build a supportive mentoring community and meaningful relationships with youth. Some staff have themselves been in foster care and were former campers in our program. All staff has been trained in trauma-focused practices, which utilize strategies and training from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

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Bess Newton
Executive Director

After graduating from UNC-Asheville with a degree in psychology, I knew that I wanted to work for an organization that made a positive impact in the world.  For almost fifteen years, I found that in the Girl Scout organization.  Gaining experience in membership, marketing, and fund development, I was then fortunate enough to take those skills to Pisgah Legal Services.  During those years of non-profit experience, I was also in the process of becoming a foster parent and adopting three wonderful children. 

​This journey took me to a place of wanting to do more for youth in the foster care system.  Then, the opportunity to work with Under One Sky Village Foundation became a reality, and I truly believe that this is how we, "the village," can be a part of the lives of these young, resilient and brave individuals.  Join me in being a part of the Under One Sky Village Foundation!  It is my belief that once a child enters the foster care system, the community as a whole should support and encourage them.  We have that opportunity with Under One Sky.

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Karen Noel, MSW  
Youth Services Director

After 12 years of owning my own market research business, I realized that this was not what I came here to do. In 2003, I went back to school to get my Masters in social work. Following my graduation in 2006, I have worked with many different populations but mostly with young adults, teens, and children needing support to live a prosperous and fulfilling life. At the beginning of the year I decided that I wanted a social work job that was fun and made a powerful and heartfelt difference. Working for the under one sky village foundation is exactly what I asked for!  The joy and growth I have seen as a result of attending our programs reinforces my belief a teaching skills, wholeheartedly excepting, And truly caring for young people makes a huge difference! I am so grateful and thankful for this incredible opportunity.

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John McDermott
Program Director

I have been working with the Under One Sky Village Foundation since 2012. I came on as an Instructor Mentor and Cabin Counselor for our Journey Camp program and have been dedicated to our organization since. Working as the Program Director for our many camps throughout the year has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life, and providing a safe haven and special place to come to for our youth time and time again has a meaning to me beyond description. Continuing to help these youth flourish at camp is part of my mission and why I do what I do. 

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Diane Delafield
Founder of Under One Sky Village Foundation
While meeting and interviewing hundreds of children 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 or into the next phase of their lives including reunification with birth family, new foster placement or leaving the foster care system.
​I am honored to be the Founder of Under One Sky Village Foundation and will 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.

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​UNDER ONE SKY JOURNEY CAMP STAFF

We are fortunate to have a dedicated team of camp staff who come back year after year. Below are our talented camp program staff. Staff is made up of teachers, artists, and Under One Sky alumni. We also have professional chefs, farmers, carpenters, actors and more! Camp staff are trained every year to provide consistent and expert programming and mentorship for youth in foster care.

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Heidi - Logistics Coordinator

Jose - Lead Male Cabin Counselor

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Duke - Carpentry Instructor Mentor

Jessie - Lead Female Cabin Counselor

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Terrence - Male Cabin Counselor

Lissa - Art Instructor Mentor

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Indy - Female Cabin Counselor

Michelle - Female Cabin Counselor

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Brandon - Male Cabin Counselor

Joy - Female Cabin Counselor

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Aubrie - Female Cabin Counselor

Rebecca - Dance Instructor Mentor

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Pana - Theater Instructor Mentor

Melissa - Camp Nurse

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Ishka - Camp Chef

Mariah - Camp Chef

Beatrice - Instructor Mentor

 In Loving Memory,
Justin Bencivengo,
Camp Counselor 
"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die."  -Thomas Campbell

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 guided me to a place of self-worth and happiness. With the love and support I gained as a youth in the program, I find it possible to make a difference in people’s lives, including the campers I now mentor. Hope is alive and thriving in this program, and I am blessed to have the opportunity to change the world with the people who helped change me.” 
Brandon Nivens, Camp Counselor and former camper