Council on Adolescents of Catawba County

MISSION STATEMENT

The Council on Adolescents of Catawba County, Inc. exists to inspire today’s adolescents to be physically and emotionally healthy through education, awareness, and advocacy, creating tomorrow’s leaders.

VISION

Young people growing up in Catawba County will realize their full potential as contributing members of our community and its economic future.

HISTORY

Since 1986, the Council on Adolescents has become an educational resource for the community through programming, data collection, and research for teens and their families. The Council has received state and national recognition for its campaign to inform citizens about the “Age of Consent” law. Through collaboration with other agencies, the Council has led efforts to reduce teen pregnancy, and to make all schools in Catawba County 100% tobacco free.

Staff Biographies

Alice Whitener - Executive Director

Alice Whitener joined the Council on Adolescents as Director in February 2007. Previously, Alice was the Outreach Coordinator at Rape Crisis Center of Catawba County for four years. During her employment at RCC she educated over 16,000 students, professionals, and community leaders.

She is the youngest of five children and a native of North Carolina. She is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Besides working for the Council on Adolescents, Alice has also been involved with efforts involving the environment, the elderly and working with persons with disabilities.

Alice is a member of the Catawba County Interagency Council, The Children’s Protection Council, the Mayor’s Committee for Person’s with Disabilities, the Community Relations Council and a volunteer at Unique World Gifts.

Lisa Eaton - Health Educator

Lisa Eaton has worked at the Council on Adolescents since May, 2005. She graduated in 1996 from East Carolina University with a bachelor’s in Psychology. She previously worked at a psychiatric hospital on the children’s unit with victims of sexual abuse.

She has been happily married for 10 years and has 2 children. She enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, playing tennis and any outdoor activity.

Linda Guttler - Health Educator

Linda Guttler has served as Health Educator with the Council on Adolescents since 1993. She is originally from Havertown, Pa and received a bachelor’s in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Linda moved to Michigan and earned a master’s in Child Development from Michigan State University. Linda taught “Supertots” privately in Hickory for 12 years, a class in art, music and movement she developed for 2 year olds and their caregivers.

Linda has been married to Sandy Guttler, a family physician for 33 years. She has 2 grown sons, both Duke graduates.

Elissa Harrell - Health Educator

Elissa Harrell joined the Council on Adolescents on June of 2003 as a Health Educator. She had previously served as Youth Ministries Director at Saint Alban’s Parish and has experience in foster care with the Department of Social Services.

Elissa grew up in Hickory and attended East Carolina University and received a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Elissa is married and has a daughter and a son. She enjoys camping, fishing, gardening and bird watching with her family.

Michele Hewitt

Born in the Bronx, NY, Michele Hewitt moved to NC as a child and has lived the majority of her life in Conover. She is a proud graduate of Newton Conover High School and an alumnus of UNC at Chapel Hill. Although her collegiate studies were centered in the subjects of Biology & Physics, she realized her true passion when joining the Council on Adolescents in November 2006. As an educator, she is able to teach and touch the lives of young people across Catawba County.

Michele resides in Catawba with her husband and three children. She is an associate minister at City of Praise, in Newton, and enjoys spending time with her family and reading.

Robin McGraw - Health Educator

Robin McGraw has been on staff with the Council on Adolescents since June of 2003. Her background is in working as a Certified Medical Assistant in a Pediatric and Adolescent Practice both here in Catawba County and Mecklenburg County. She also serves part time as the Children’s Ministry Director for her church.

She enjoys spending time with her two sons and husband at baseball games and activities her children are involved in.


Home About Us Programs Ways to Give Volunteer Links Teen Council Calendar Contact	About Us *MISSION* *STATEMENT* The Council on Adolescents of Catawba County, Inc. exists to inspire today’s adolescents to be physically and emotionally healthy through education, awareness, and advocacy, creating tomorrow’s leaders. *VISION* Young people growing up in Catawba County will realize their full potential as contributing members of our community and its economic future. *HISTORY* Since 1986, the Council on Adolescents has become an educational resource for the community through programming, data collection, and research for teens and their families. The Council has received state and national recognition for its campaign to inform citizens about the “Age of Consent” law. Through collaboration with other agencies, the Council has led efforts to reduce teen pregnancy, and to make all schools in Catawba County 100% tobacco free. Staff Biographies Alice Whitener - Executive Director Alice Whitener joined the Council on Adolescents as Director in February 2007. Previously, Alice was the Outreach Coordinator at Rape Crisis Center of Catawba County for four years. During her employment at RCC she educated over 16,000 students, professionals, and community leaders. She is the youngest of five children and a native of North Carolina. She is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Besides working for the Council on Adolescents, Alice has also been involved with efforts involving the environment, the elderly and working with persons with disabilities. Alice is a member of the Catawba County Interagency Council, The Children’s Protection Council, the Mayor’s Committee for Person’s with Disabilities, the Community Relations Council and a volunteer at Unique World Gifts. Lisa Eaton - Health Educator Lisa Eaton has worked at the Council on Adolescents since May, 2005. She graduated in 1996 from East Carolina University with a bachelor’s in Psychology. She previously worked at a psychiatric hospital on the children’s unit with victims of sexual abuse. She has been happily married for 10 years and has 2 children. She enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, playing tennis and any outdoor activity. Linda Guttler - Health Educator Linda Guttler has served as Health Educator with the Council on Adolescents since 1993. She is originally from Havertown, Pa and received a bachelor’s in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Linda moved to Michigan and earned a master’s in Child Development from Michigan State University. Linda taught “Supertots” privately in Hickory for 12 years, a class in art, music and movement she developed for 2 year olds and their caregivers. Linda has been married to Sandy Guttler, a family physician for 33 years. She has 2 grown sons, both Duke graduates. Elissa Harrell - Health Educator Elissa Harrell joined the Council on Adolescents on June of 2003 as a Health Educator. She had previously served as Youth Ministries Director at Saint Alban’s Parish and has experience in foster care with the Department of Social Services. Elissa grew up in Hickory and attended East Carolina University and received a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Elissa is married and has a daughter and a son. She enjoys camping, fishing, gardening and bird watching with her family. Michele Hewitt Born in the Bronx, NY, Michele Hewitt moved to NC as a child and has lived the majority of her life in Conover. She is a proud graduate of Newton Conover High School and an alumnus of UNC at Chapel Hill. Although her collegiate studies were centered in the subjects of Biology & Physics, she realized her true passion when joining the Council on Adolescents in November 2006. As an educator, she is able to teach and touch the lives of young people across Catawba County. Michele resides in Catawba with her husband and three children. She is an associate minister at City of Praise, in Newton, and enjoys spending time with her family and reading. Robin McGraw - Health Educator Robin McGraw has been on staff with the Council on Adolescents since June of 2003. Her background is in working as a Certified Medical Assistant in a Pediatric and Adolescent Practice both here in Catawba County and Mecklenburg County. She also serves part time as the Children’s Ministry Director for her church. She enjoys spending time with her two sons and husband at baseball games and activities her children are involved in.
Council on Adolescents of Catawba County • 1120 Fairgrove Church Rd SE Suite 22 • Hickory, NC 28602 • (828) 322-4591 • (828) 322-2675 Fax