Cape Fear Guardian ad Litem Association

One of our most important events of the year is supporting these kiddos and giving them the graduation ceremony they deserve and a celebration they’ll remember forever. SO proud of all their hard work!! 🖤💙

CFGALA had another incredible Spring event at Kendra Scott in Mayfaire! We raised over $400. Thank you to the Kendra Scott team, everyone who stopped by & those who supported us online! Every donation helps us help kids, just be kids 🩵

So excited to be welcoming this group of volunteers to the program 🖤💙 Thank you for showing up for our kiddos!

see you this Mother’s Day weekend at Kendra Scott in Mayfaire 😍✨💖

Happy May 💜 join us for one of our favorite events of the season! 10% of proceeds from this event will support our mission of helping kids, be kids. 💙🤍

CFGALA continues to celebrate National Social Work month by honoring social workers in our community.
Their hard work and dedication to serving children and families in New Hanover & Pender counties is unmatched. We’re so lucky to have them!

Meet Sherry Smith-Cain 💙
Social work chose me. I spent almost 18 years in Juvenile Justice and was burning out. There was and opening for social worker at DSS and I really enjoyed working with kids so that prompted my move. In April I will have been with the Department for 3 years.

My favorite part of the job is the kids and being able to see them laugh, and be kids. Especially in their circumstances being in foster care. I like being able to make their day a little special.

My words of wisdom are to always have empathy, patience, and be non-judgmental. You cannot change the world but you might be able to change a person’s life. I get through my day expecting that people are doing their best.

Thank you Sherry for everything you do 💙

CFGALA continues to celebrate National Social Work month by honoring social workers in our community. Their hard work and dedication to serving children and families in New Hanover & Pender counties is unmatched. We’re so lucky to have them!

Meet Stephanie Teachey 💙
I originally started off as an Elementary School major, but changed paths when a close friends went into the Social Work field – I was drawn to the ability to help families not only in the school setting, but in all areas of life.
I graduated in May 2008 with a BSW and got my first Social Work job in October 2008 at Onslow County DSS with Permanency Planning. Unfortunately, being a DSS Social Worker had a bad reputation, so I told myself I would only work there for 2 years to get experience and then move on — minus a 2 year stent with a private agency, I have been with DSS since. I started at New Hanover County DSS in January 2020.
My favorite part is seeing good things happen – in this job that could mean a parent getting housing, a parent being sober for one month, a grandparent accepting help for a grandchild in their home, a kid passing a test in a difficult subject or a kid just going to school for a full week– in this job you have to praise the small victories!
One impactful story that has stuck with me is when I had a single teenage mother with a special needs child in her home. Mom was working full time and going to school – trying to make ends meet at every corner. She herself had been in the system as a minor and wanted a better life for her child. However, she had become involved in the wrong crowd and that lead to the removal of her child. After the removal Mom could have gave up, instead she hit the ground running with her requested services, while also still participating in shared parenting daily with the placement provider. Mom maintained her housing and employment and was able to be successfully reunified with her child. It was very inspiring to see Mom take advantage of every resource given to her and not let this bump in the road derail their lives.

We are SO inspired by Stephanie’s commitment to children and families and how she honors integrity and resilience. 💙

CFGALA is celebrating National Social Work month by honoring social workers in our community. Their hard work and dedication to serving children and families in New Hanover & Pender counties is unmatched. We’re so lucky to have them!

Meet Lexis Jones 💙
I chose social work because helping others has always been part of who I am. Even when I was younger, I found myself naturally stepping into spaces where people needed support or encouragement.

I’ve been in the social work field since 2017 working with various populations and over the years, the work has shaped me just as much as I’ve helped shape outcomes for families.

My favorite part of the job is reunification. There is nothing more powerful than seeing a family rebuild. Watching parents commit to sobriety, establish stability, and create consistent routines for their children. Seeing a parent go from surviving to truly being present and engaged is incredibly rewarding. Those moments remind me why this work matters.

Every case leaves an imprint on me because each family is unique. I build bonds with the families I serve, and their growth, struggles, and victories stay with me. I once worked with a parent who struggled deeply with addiction and self-doubt. There were setbacks, difficult court hearings, and moments where giving up would have been easier. But through persistence, accountability, and support, that parent maintained sobriety, stable housing, and ultimately reunified with their child.

Words of wisdom? Social work teaches you that people are more than their worst mistakes. When you lead with empathy and accountability, transformation can happen.

Thank you, Lexis for all that you do 💙