Ambassadors

BECOME AN AMBASSADOR

The Ambassador Program trains, connects and activates a network of passionate emerging leaders with a common goal: preventing child abuse and neglect by strengthening families and communities.

PCA Georgia’s Ambassador Program engages emerging leaders in a 9-month long (January 2026 – September 2026) cohort to help promote the prevention of child abuse and strengthen families in their communities. Through educational workshops and hand-on experiences, PCA Georgia Ambassadors will come away with leadership skills to positively impact the lives of children and families across the state.

This program is designed for college students, young professionals, or community members looking to gain knowledge and skills to make a difference.

Program Components

PCA Georgia Ambassadors will come away with leadership skills to positively impact the lives of children and families across the state. In addition to workshops focusing on the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect, participants will learn about the critical role PCA Georgia and other partnering organizations play in prevention, understand more about the structure and fundraising needs of nonprofits, and explore their leadership skills through direct learning experiences.

The proposed program will engage emerging leaders in a 9-month long cohort that includes four components: monthly workshops and networking; fundraising; in-person volunteer experiences; and hosting an awareness event.

Monthly Workshops

Workshops are a mix of topics that are designed to develop leadership skills as well as educate participants to advocate for child abuse prevention strategies in their communities. Workshops are typically 90 minutes in the evenings. The majority of sessions will be virtual and a few will be in-person to allow for networking.

Volunteer Experiences

PCA Georgia will provide a list of volunteer opportunities that are both Atlanta based and spread throughout the state that include PCA Georgia’s local councils, the organization’s annual conference, and other partner events. Participants can also get approval for aligning volunteer experiences not listed by PCA Georgia.

Fundraising

Making the ask, reaching out to others, and describing the cause can be difficult for new or seasoned fundraisers. PCA Georgia will provide a workshop and continued support to help participants raise funds to go toward the next cohort of the Ambassador program. Participants have until the end of the program to meet their individual $500 fundraising goal.

Awareness Event

The Ambassador program will culminate with each participant hosting an in-person or virtual event with community members where the focus is on raising awareness, educating, and engaging in discussions focused on helping families thrive. Participants can be creative in planning their event and PCA Georgia will provide support as needed.

Meet the Ambassadors Class of '24

The PCA Ambassador class of ’24 represents a passionate group of individuals with diverse backgrounds, who unite for a common mission, helping children and families thrive. This group of 16 ambassadors come from 13 different counties spanning the state: Bibb, Cobb, Colquitt, Dekalb, Dougherty, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Muscogee, Newton, Richmond, and Rockdale. Read the PCA Ambassador kick off blog post.

Andrea Cooke

Andrea is a Development Director and Therapist in middle Georgia. She joined the Ambassador program to explore new avenues to stand up for children and families.

Ashley Nelms

With over 10 years of experience in the medical field, Ashley is looking to take the initiative to better understand children and families who have experience trauma and to be part of the solution.

Bonnie Easley

Bonnie Easley has over 10 years of social service experience in the state of Georgia. She has dedicated much of her life to children through her profession as a Social Worker, through faith-based education, dance and cheer.

She chose to become a PCA Ambassador because she is passionate about empowering and equipping the community in raising awareness to promote safety and the well-being of children.

Cara Bowen

Mrs. Bowen has served in the child welfare field for 24 years. Her passion is community service, specifically serving children and families who are in crisis. She is excited to be a part of the PCA Georgia Ambassador program and is looking forward to increasing her knowledge and skills on raising awareness, educating, and engaging the community in discussions focused on helping families thrive. Prevention is a community responsibility and as the saying goes “it takes a village to raise a child.”

Cassenda Nelson

“Being an advocate for those that have a tiny voice is a passion for me. I have the voice of a lion, the endurance of an eagle.”

Cassenda has joined the PCA Ambassador program to become an advocate because there are many children that don’t have that connection of someone taking a foot forward to be a voice for them. Understanding childhood trauma creates issues as adults, she wants to tackle trauma at it’s root and prevent things that break people down. “I am her she is me. I am him he is me. I am their voice!!!! I would not be silent I am an advocate for child abuse.”

Gbemi Famule

Gbemi has a strong desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others, especially Atlanta’s youngest and most underserved children. By participating in this program, I believe I can gain valuable insights and tools to enhance my ability to advocate for and protect the well-being of children in our community. In my current position as PAACT coordinator, at Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS) she works with early learning childcare programs and professionals that care for these children. My interactions opened my eyes to the challenges they face and the critical need for preventive measures.

Joanna Jackson

From Albany, Georgia, Joanna is a mother of 3 daughters as well as a first time grandmother. She is a community organizer and activist that loves advocacy and policy work around social justice causes. She joined PCA Georgia’s Ambassador program to network and help prevent abuse, advocate for change in systems, share her expertise and lived experience, and to empower others.

Joyce Harris-Stokes

Joyce is a retired Alabama math teacher and currently works as a part-time Georgia math teacher. She has written books and has a doctorate in school/grief counseling. As a Georgia CASA volunteer she has seen the after-effects of child abuse, and therefore her goal is to keep as many children, child abuse free as possible.

Maritza Holley

Maritza has always had a passion for youth, even before becoming a mother. In addition to working with in a children’s ministry, she has also coached youth programs, worked in childcare centers, afterschool programs, and summer camps. She has joined PCA Georgia’s Ambassador program to learn more and become active in the fight for child abuse prevention.

Nicole Howard

This cause is very close to Nicole’s heart. She long sought to play a positive role in the lives of children as a former CASA volunteer, former Partner in Education with public schools, helping families in public housing with their needs, and through an online community ministry. She is participating in the PCA Ambassador program to help her spread awareness of prevention efforts.

Samanthia Moore Valentine

Samanthia is very involved in her community (Richmond) and beyond. She brings a professional as well as personal passion to this program and as a member of the Parent Advisory Council for DFCS. She is excited about the opportunity to support not only her community but the lives of my children and the nation.

April Beggs

As the founder of her own non-profit, April works to support youth who have experienced trauma and advocate for reform.

Collisa (Lisa) Latimore

As a School Counselor for Richmond County Schools, she considers herself to be a child advocate; providing resources to families and protecting children is what she has been doing for over 20 years. She joined the PCA Ambassador program because she knew it would be beneficial to her work and supporting families.

Kristen Motley

Kristen is a resource science teacher in Rockdale county. Through her experience as a teacher, she knows how difficult it can be for students to discuss abuse happening to them, or that they may try to hide it. She wants children to feel comfortable and get the help and support they need.

Application

We invite you to be part of a cohort of awareness-minded individuals while networking with a variety of leaders in the field. You will develop leadership skills applicable to non-profits and social causes while making a positive impact on children and families in your community.

Applications Open in September 2025 and close October 31, 2025. Notification of application acceptance will occur in early November 2025.

Qualifications:

Show a demonstrated commitment to serving the community
Commit to full participation in the program
Be easily accessible by e-mail and/or mobile phone
Interest in learning about child abuse prevention and advocating to strengthen families
20 years and older
Pass a criminal background

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Mailing:	P.O. Box 3995 Atlanta, GA 30302

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