Hope Center Staff
Meredith Yuckman
Executive Director
pronouns: she/her
mobile: 919-694-3133
email: myuckman@hopecenteratpullen.org
Where you’ll find me when I’m not at work: White water rafting
Favorite quote: “It is not happy people who are thankful, it is thankful people who are happy”.
Hidden talent: Playing piano
Favorite HS class: Theater
Meredith is grateful for the opportunity to serve The Hope Center and help light a path toward a safe and stable future for former foster youth. She is an experienced administrator and has developed and shaped programs that support at-risk youth for over 20 years. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master’s of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Meredith first join the Hope Center team in 2014, serving as the Program Coordinator, to spearhead the development of our Teen Programs that prepare youth in foster care for a safe and stable to adulthood.
Chantel Sherman
Director of Programs
pronouns: she/her
mobile: 919-637-9661
email: csherman@hopecenteratpullen.org
Where you’ll find me when I’m not a work: On a yoga mat or on a family outing
Favorite Book (and movie): Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston
Hidden Talent: I like to believe that I am the best rapper alive
Favorite Highschool Class: English (I have a serious love for words and reading)
I’m Chantel Sherman, I am so excited and honored to serve in the role of Director of Transition Programs at The Hope Center at Pullen! My passion for working alongside individuals who have a history within the foster care systems extends beyond my professional experiences. In my teen years I was a recipient of foster care services. I believe this experience proved to be my call to action. I have a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) that I received in 2018 from Cardinal Stritch University (Milwaukee, WI). Prior to joining The Hope Center at Pullen I worked for 14 years at New Horizon Center Inc. a non-profit program in Milwaukee WI. There I worked directly with youth who were entering foster care, foster parents, young adults transitioning out of foster as well as adoption. I am tremendously grateful to be able to continue this very necessary very rewarding work here.
Brittney Sherley
Director of Development & Communications
pronouns: she/her
mobile: 919-522-9707
email: bsherley@hopecenteratpullen.org
Where you’ll find me when I’m not at work: Attending/volunteering at a Comic Con, or out running.
Favorite quote: “Just because someone carries it well doesn’t mean it isn’t heavy.”
Hidden talent: Baking
Favorite HS class: AP Calculus
Brittney joins The Hope Center at Pullen with passion to learn and excitement to further the mission through development efforts. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in public relations and anthropology, and brings many years of fundraising experience in social services and animal welfare. One of her favorite previous positions was at the YWCA of San Diego helping individuals leave domestic abuse, and helping women and families transition out of homelessness. She loves development work because it offers the best way for her to use her strengths to help those in need. She feels privileged to be part of such an impressive team of people who empower current and former foster youth, and each other. In her free time, she enjoys an active lifestyle of running, playing tennis, strength training, and ballroom dancing. Brittney also loves spending time with her husband, Travis, whether it’s watching movies, playing Scrabble, or attending fan-based conventions.
Myisha Peterson
Transition Specialist
pronouns: she/her
mobile: 984-286-3390
email:
mpeterson@hopecenteratpullen.org
Where you’ll find me when I’m not at work: Hanging out with family, finding the nearest beach, outing or event
Favorite book: Anything written by Omar Tyree
Hidden talent: I’m pretty good at doing hair.
Favorite HS class: Lunch (haha)… Science
Myisha Peterson is a graduate from Shaw University with a B.A. in Psychology and holds a current certification in Life Coaching. She has an extensive background in the Human Services field working as a Case Manager and Program Coordinator for homeless families and young adults transitioning into permanency. She is very excited to serve in the role of Transition Specialist where she uses and eclectic approach tailored to the unique needs of each client. Myisha enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and sitting in the sun with a good book!
Stacey Rodgers
Parenting Specialist
pronouns: she/her
mobile: 919-637-5809
email: srodgers@hopecenteratpullen.org
Where you’ll find me when I’m not at work: You’ll find me on a date with my husband or home with the grandkids either jumping on the trampoline or dancing.
Favorite quote: “Don’t allow others to define who you are”
Hidden talent: Writing poetry
Favorite HS class: English
I’m a graduate of Shaw University with a BSW. My most recent experience is working with InterAct as an Outreach Counselor for Work First clients at WCHS. I served in a few positions at InterAct since COVID including Case Manager, CPS LIaison and Crisis Counselor answering crisis calls. I worked as a Foster Care SW with WCHS for just under a year. I also worked as a Qualified Professional on an Intensive In-Home Team. I am a former Licensed Therapeutic Foster Parent. I’m a licensed Minister. I am currently developing a Mentoring Program for teen girls 12-18 called Sparkle Mentoring Program. I am still a newlywed lol (4/24/2021) with four adult children and four grandchildren.
Coco Brown
Transition Specialist
pronouns: she/her
mobile: 919-349-8266
email:
cbrown@hopecenteratpullen.org
Where you’ll find me when I’m not at work: Spending time with family
Favorite book: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince / Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Hidden talent: I love to dance and sing. I am always off beat and making up my own words to songs.
Favorite HS class: History
I’m from Syracuse NY. An older sister, and a godmother to three. I have a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Public Administration with a focus in Non-Profit management. I started out my career working as a T.A. in the infant room and became the Family Advocate in a daycare and later worked as the Training Development Specialist in Buffalo, NY. As a Family Advocate I worked with families in their homes and focused on child development, housing, training, and education. As the Training & Development Specialist, I worked in a group home, residential and in a community setting with youth in foster care ages 14-21 years old. I was also a supervisor over three of the homes. When I was not working with the youth I would be creating and implementing trainings for the staff. I left this passion for a few months and went on to get my license in life Incense, but I am so excited to be back doing what I love!!
Adrianna Meerkamper
Transition Specialist
pronouns: they/them
mobile: 984-286-6023
email:
amee@hopecenteratpullen.org
Where you’ll find me when I’m not at work: In a cuddle puddle with all four of my kitties!
Favorite book: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Hidden talent: Making delicious jams and preserves
Favorite HS class: Anything related to poetry and writing
Adrianna is thrilled to join the Hope Center as a Transition Specialist! Adrianna is a nonbinary health and housing justice advocate who deeply believes that building a better world is possible. They recently moved here from Oakland, California where they worked as the lead street outreach case manager and program coordinator at a youth shelter drop-in center. Adrianna has a sociology degree from UC Berkeley and loves to flex their sociological imagination every chance they get. Their professional work is driven by their personal experience and strong belief that every human being is worthy and essential to this life. Adrianna works through a harm reduction and trauma-informed approach to elevate and empower clients. They cannot wait to envision beautiful futures with all the staff and youth at the Hope Center an to collectively work on turning those futures into reality.
Bri Scotton
Teen Programs Manager
pronouns: she/her
mobile: 984-895-6093
email: bscotton@hopecenteratpullen.org
Where you’ll find me when I’m not at work: On my porch enjoying the peace and quiet.
Favorite TV show: Succession
Hidden talent: Line dancing. Not everyone can do it. lol
Favorite HS class: I liked interactive classes like Healthful Living and Weightlifting.
Bri is VERY excited about serving as the Teen Programs Manager for the Hope Center at Pullen. A southern country girl at heart, she comes from a family that taught the importance of helping others, serving community and working together to support youth. “ My mom, grandparents and family members always took in and cared for youth that were not always biologically related to us but that needed someone who could care and look out for them. They were big on ‘it takes a village’ and they were the village for many people when I was growing up. I grew up seeing my family members care for others in many ways, what some would consider now, grass-roots-micro level social work, so honestly, that’s all I know how to do. lol. I guess you could say they were the first social workers I saw.”
After working with individuals across the life span (birth to ninety-eight) she discovered that her passion is working with teens. She enjoys helping them navigate their unique journeys and her mission is to provide meaningful support to youth by meeting them where they are, aiding them in identifying where they want to go and helping them feel empowered in order to reach their full potential. Bri is a graduate of UNC-Greensboro (Go Spartans!) with a Bachelors of Social Work, and holds a Masters in Higher Education Administration from Appalachian State University with a focus on College and University Leadership. She is also certified in Trauma and Resilience through Florida State University. She has over twelve years of Social Work, Public Health and Education experience in urban and rural areas through Federal and State grant programs.
Alexys Pardo
Teen Programs Specialist
pronouns: she/her
mobile: 984-895-5927
email: apardo@hopecenteratpullen.org
Where you’ll find me when I’m not at work: Hanging out with friends or binge watching a show/movie series
Favorite quote: “Success is rarely the result of one swell swoop, but more often the culmination of many, many small victories.” -Joseph M. Marshall III
Hidden talent: Can spontaneously switch to a British accent at any time
Favorite HS class: English/Writing
I graduated from East Carolina University with B.S. in Applied Sociology, with a concentration in Marriage and Family, and a minor in Gender Studies. I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in social work at NC State. I have always known that I wanted to make a positive impact on the world and my local community, and I am excited for the opportunity to be part of the HCP team and look forward to working with and empowering our youth!
“Aging out is..hmm..to be honest, I really didn’t even know I aged out. It was because of the simple fact that I didn’t know anything about it–I didn’t know anything about my case, I didn’t go to court. I got to the age where I realized I didn’t have anymore court dates. I just put it in my mind that I was out of the system. There wasn’t really a transition for me because I was already used to living the way I lived. It was more like I already didn’t have anybody, so it was just the same scenario once I aged out. Why was I caught up in the system? That’s really my main thing, I still don’t understand.”
In 2016, more young people aged out of foster care in North Carolina than in the previous 15 years. In Wake County alone, 30–40 age out each year. Furthermore, Wake County experienced a spike in the number of children entering foster care in 2017. The services of The Hope Center are needed now more than ever before, and since 2013, we have increased the number of young people we serve from 30 to approximately 180.
The Hope Center provides support in the areas of housing, employment, life skills, education, mental and physical health, financial management, and establishing a support network, so that young people such as this young man quoted above don’t feel like they are alone in the world.
“Aging out is..hmm..to be honest, I really didn’t even know I aged out. It was because of the simple fact that I didn’t know anything about it–I didn’t know anything about my case, I didn’t go to court. I got to the age where I realized I didn’t have anymore court dates. I just put it in my mind that I was out of the system. There wasn’t really a transition for me because I was already used to living the way I lived. It was more like I already didn’t have anybody, so it was just the same scenario once I aged out. Why was I caught up in the system? That’s really my main thing, I still don’t understand.”
In 2016, more young people aged out of foster care in North Carolina than in the previous 15 years. In Wake County alone, 30–40 age out each year. Furthermore, Wake County experienced a spike in the number of children entering foster care in 2017. The services of The Hope Center are needed now more than ever before, and since 2013, we have increased the number of young people we serve from 30 to approximately 180.
The Hope Center provides support in the areas of housing, employment, life skills, education, mental and physical health, financial management, and establishing a support network, so that young people such as this young man quoted above don’t feel like they are alone in the world.