Team Up Mentoring’s mission is to foster generational change for families affected by trauma.

In 2006, Anna Blount completed her degree from the University of Georgia in Biological Science and while volunteering in the city of Monroe, GA with a church ministry. She had planned to attend veterinary school, but during her junior year of college, Anna recognized her own passion for working with youth through church volunteer work. More specifically, Anna had a soft spot for the children who seemed the most vulnerable and in need of the most care. She felt called to serve these children and recognized that in order to help these children succeed, they would need more than just one person helping them-- they would need a team-- thus Team Up Mentoring began.

Over ten years later, Anna continues to dream, research and contemplate ways to best serve the vulnerable children and their families. She not only manages day-to-day operations of the organization and the staff, but also oversees all medical services for children in the program. From making school lunches, to strategic planning meetings and everything in between, Anna lives out Team Up’s mantra of “Doing whatever it takes to help a child succeed.”

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Aydee’s passion for helping others came from her own personal background. Aydee was in the foster care as a teen, and grew up in a system that she felt was not always helpful for struggling families. After she was adopted, she moved to Athens, GA for her second chance at life. While in Georgia, she graduated from Athens Technical College with her Associates Degree in Social Work and went on to pursue her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Piedmont College which she completed in May of 2019.

While pursing her degrees, Aydee interned with Prevent Child Abuse Athens and gained experience working with youth while being employed at The Boys & Girls Club H.T. Edwards in Athens, Georgia.

Aydee is gifted at listening and connecting with families in a meaningful way. Her passion for serving children and families is all about helping them to get the support they need for a long and healthy future.

A Pacific Northwest native, Brady was born and raised in Oregon. From his first “mentoring” experience (as a 3rd-grade reading buddy for a student needing extra help), Brady knew that helping and connecting with people was his calling. He is also a lover of all things sports (in particular basketball). He went on to play basketball and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. From there, Brady moved back home to Bend, Oregon, and worked in behavior support for five years at the middle school he attended as a teenager. There he worked to form connections with the most challenging students to work with as well as their families. He also coached basketball and track and field at the middle school.

In July 2020, Brady moved across the country to Georgia and began working with children with autism between the ages of 2-12. First providing direct therapy, then being promoted to managing one of the largest ABA therapy clinics in the state, Brady loved his work with the kids but was ready to get out of Atlanta, back to something more rural, and ideally something out of the corporate world.

Brady’s unique background and love for helping kids achieve their best make him and his role as Teen Leadership Academy Director a perfect fit. Brady truly believes that just one caring and supportive adult can make all the difference in a teen’s life. Blessed with a few great mentors in his own life as a teen, Brady strives every day to make sure the teens know they are loved, cared for, and supported, even when they don’t make the right decisions. He couldn’t be more excited to be part of Team Up and is genuinely proud of their work. 

When Brady is not working or planning something fun for the teens, you are most likely to find him spending time in Athens with his girlfriend Claire and their furry friends, Gray (70 lb pitbull mix) and Roo (Gray’s 10-pound cat sister).

Katja is a University of Georgia graduate with a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She has always known that she wants to work with children and families in order to make a positive difference in her community. After working as a Program Facilitator during Team Up Summer Camp, Katja knew that Team Up Mentoring was a great fit where she is able to utilize many of her passions and skills. Katja currently works as the Elementary Program Specialist.

When she is not working, Katja enjoys spending time with her husband, Chace, going camping with family, meeting a friend for coffee, hiking, and reading a good book.

Susanna Barr is a proud Walton County native, currently thriving in Monroe, GA. She’s a Kennesaw State University graduate, holding a BS in Sociology, but her journey began as a collegiate athlete at Reinhardt University, where she spent three years as a student athlete playing volleyball and throwing on the track team. Along the way, Susanna discovered her passion for community service, coaching club volleyball, and advocating for women and children at a shelter in Atlanta. These experiences ignited her desire to dive into the nonprofit world.

Her love for service grew even stronger during a summer internship at Shepherd's Staff, a local food bank in Walton County, where she realized that her heart was set on making a difference in the lives of others.

Susanna’s journey with Team Up Mentoring started in 2022 as a summer camp facilitator, and she instantly knew she’d found her place. The joy of working with the community brought her back the following summer and eventually led her to join the team full-time. Susanna’s passion for her hometown runs deep, and she’s always on the lookout for ways to uplift her community. Whether it’s shopping small and supporting local businesses or finding new ways to connect with her neighbors, she’s all in.

Outside of work, Susanna is a true water lover, always seeking out the nearest lake, river, or ocean. She also enjoys losing herself in a good book and spending quality time with her friends and family. Being back in Walton County after college has given her a fresh appreciation for the place she calls home, and she’s more dedicated than ever to making it even better.

Bio

Born in sunny California in 2018, Selina moved cross-country as a young pup to metro Atlanta. Last year, Selina relocated to Orlando, Florida to further her education at Canine Companions for Independence. 

A proud 2021 graduate of Canine Companions, Selina has mastered more than 40 commands and is certified for public access. In other words, she is a VERY good girl! Selina works at Team Up to help children practice new skills, comfort clients in distress, and provide encouragement to all. 

Outside of work, you can find Selina playing fetch, enjoying a belly rub, or snuggling with her handler, Anna Blount.