FCFC Newsletter Fall 2024 v2 (1) | Page 3

Our New Executive Director
Our New Marketing and Event Specialist

GETTING TO KNOW ...

Our New Executive Director

Welcome

Growing up I always had a heart for helping others . My path in life has led me exactly where I am meant to be today .
Being a local in the North Georgia Mountains , my home is dear to my heart . I grew up in Talking Rock , Georgia , on a small farm taking care of dogs , chickens , horses , bunnies , a bird , and cats . I attended Gilmer County High School , graduating with honors in 2017 . From high school I went straight into college , starting my Bachelor ’ s degree at the University of North Georgia ’ s Blue Ridge Campus . I was led to pursue a major in Human Service Delivery and Administration . I discovered a subject that followed my passions learning how to serve individuals , groups , families , and communities . During my time in school , I worked my way through college serving tables at the Last Catch in Jasper , Georgia . If you have ever worked in the service industry you know all the life skills it can teach you working with people !
My last year of college I was required to complete an internship and I had the opportunity to accomplish all of my hours at Fannin County Family Connection in 2021 . Upon graduation I started working at the University of North Georgia in Blue Ridge as the PEAKS ( Personal , Enrichment , Action , & Knowledge Series ) Program Coordinator , building a lifelong learning program for adults 55 + in the North Georgia region . I then went on to work with students at UNG as the Academic Success Coordinator helping our younger generation identify educational paths to lead them to a desired career . During this time , I was also pursuing my Master ’ s Degree in Human Service Delivery & Administration . My graduate degree helped me gain skills in leadership , non-profit administration , grant writing , identifying and working with at risk populations .
Ever since my internship time at FCFC my passion has been Human Service work . It has been my dream to become an executive director of a non-profit ever since working directly under Sherry Morris . On May 28th , 2024 , I was gratefully invited to join the FCFC team again and have been working directly under Sherry Morris as the Associate Director , using her wealth of knowledge to better prepare me for my new leadership position . It is an honor to step in her place as she leaves an extraordinary legacy at FCFC and throughout our community . Sherry has been a mentor , friend , and supporter throughout the growth of my career since my first days as an intern .
The amount of gratitude I feel to have this opportunity to serve as Executive Director of Fannin County Family Connection is overwhelming . I am beyond excited to start this journey and do the necessary work for our community .

Our New Marketing and Event Specialist

Victoria Catherine Walker was born in Loganville , GA near Atlanta . She moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains in 2013 . She graduated from Fannin County High School in 2021 . She took a teaching internship in High School her sophomore-senior year . She loved to work with children and help expand their knowledge of literacy .
She was originally enrolled in the University of North Georgia to obtain a Bachelor ’ s in Elementary and Special Education . Although , she wanted to help the community in a different aspect .
“ My passion is to help people who are nervous to ask for help and improve their quality of life ,” says Walker . “ One day , I will successfully build a non-profit for those in need . I want to give back to the community and offer resources to help the population improve .”
While working in retail , she helped customers feel confident and supported . It was the most rewarding feeling when she knew she had made someone ’ s day better .
Her favorite part of her job at Family Connection is how understanding and welcoming the environment is . It does not matter who walks through the door , everyone deserves not to feel alone . Walker notes , “ The staff here are amazing and they encouraged me to start my career in Human Services .”
When she is not working on building her future at Fannin County Family Connection or finishing the last couple of semesters at the University of North Georgia , she likes to camp with her family in Tennessee and travel to different places .
Continued on next page
3