HEALING THE ROOTS FOUNDATION
"EMPOWERING CHILDREN TO THRIVE BEYOND ADVERSITY"
HEALING THE ROOTS FOUNDATION
About Us
Mission & Vision
Mission
At Healing the Roots Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we empower children to thrive beyond adversity through tailored assistance that nurtures their ability to manage life's obstacles, fostering emotional well-being and equipping them to navigate challenges with confidence.
Vision
At Healing the Roots Foundation, we foster social-emotional needs and healing by solidifying skills in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and coping tools. We provide culturally competent therapy to address unrecognized issues affecting a child's social-emotional health and learning and offer personalized tutoring to bridge educational gaps. By incorporating quiet spaces in classrooms, we provide serene corners where students can manage their emotions, take timeouts, or engage in quiet activities. This approach ensures every child can confidently navigate challenges and embrace a brighter future.
Our strategy is designed to address adversity, healing fractured roots before they mature and manifest. In today’s world, children face numerous challenges that can hinder their development. While shielding them from every obstacle is impossible, equipping them with tools and support is essential for their growth into resilient individuals.
Healing the Roots Foundation aspires to reshape our world from its core, envisioning a future where healing transcends boundaries, permeating communities, ecosystems, and the collective human spirit. We strive for a world where compassion, empathy, and connection nurture the roots of our society, fostering growth and resilience.
Join Us in Uplifting Children in North Carolina
Support our 2024 program to help children thrive beyond adversity. Your donations will fund essential supplies, pay for tutoring, support staff training, build therapist partnerships, and expand our outreach.
Volunteering Opportunities:
We offer roles in administration and social media management.
Partnership Opportunities:
Collaborate with us on events and initiatives. We are seeking partnerships with therapists for culturally competent counseling and teachers for tutoring services.
Invest in Healing the Roots Foundation to make a lasting impact and create a brighter future for children.
This video showcases our mission to assist
children to thrive beyond adversity.
This video showcases our Nina's Coping Toolbox Curriculum.
Portia Mills Henderson
Founder, President,
and Executive Director
Hello, I’m Portia Mills Henderson, a proud native of North Carolina. My life's journey has been marked by abundant challenges, which have become the wellspring of my inspiration and purpose. In 2023, I founded Healing the Roots Foundation with a profound commitment to helping children overcome adversity and navigate life’s challenges. As Founder, President, and Executive Director, I channel my experiences and deep empathy into this vital mission. My personal journey through significant hurdles has equipped me with the fervor and understanding necessary for this work. I often ponder the fundamental questions of existence: "Why was I born? Why am I here?" For me, it’s about healing the very fabric of society—our children. As Emily Maroutian wisely said, “If you want to know where to find your contribution to the world, look at your wounds. When you learn how to heal them, teach others.” This quote resonates deeply with me, guiding my mission to support children through healing and empowerment. I am a certified Breathe For Change facilitator, with certifications in Mindfulness, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and Yoga Teacher Training for educators and community leaders. These qualifications are integral to our approach, which combines culturally competent therapy with comprehensive support for both children and educators. My passion extends to making a profound impact on the lives of the children and families we serve. I am deeply committed to the well-being of the educators who nurture our children. By offering culturally competent therapy, social-emotional learning, wellness practices, and educational support, we ensure a holistic transformation that positively influences our community. In my role as Executive Director, I am committed to maintaining effective governance through a dedicated board and transparent processes. While I currently manage multiple roles, I am actively planning for future growth, including expanding our leadership team to ensure sustainable and impactful operations. Thank you for joining us on this journey to create a brighter, more supportive future for our children.
Meet The Team
Rachel Weathers
Board Member, Secretary, Human Resource Director
Mrs. Weathers, holds a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management Technology and serves as both Secretary and Human Resource professional. With exceptional skills in administration and legal compliance, she fosters a positive workplace culture that engages employees and promotes retention. Mrs. Weathers is a versatile and valuable asset to our organization.
John Peoples
Board Member, Treasurer, Finance Director
Mr. Peoples, the owner of Peoples Tax Service Inc., brings a wealth of expertise to our organization. With a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and associate degrees in Marketing and Management, Mr. Peoples has extensive experience in tax and accounting services. Since 1982, Peoples Tax Service Inc. has proudly served Spartanburg County, providing him with deep knowledge in financial management. As a Board Member, Treasurer, and Finance Director, Mr. Peoples plays a crucial role in overseeing our organization’s finances. He ensures proper financial management and accountability, helping to safeguard the integrity of our financial operations.
Katherine Miller
Board Member, Education Advisor
As our Education Advisor, Mrs. Miller brings a wealth of experience to the table with over 36 years in child development and education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Elementary Education and an Associates In Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Development. Mrs. Miller strongly believes in the significance of parental involvement and will provide diverse and productive resources to encourage positive parent engagement and communication in our tutoring program. By prioritizing the formation of strong relationships and sharing resources tailored to individual needs, both parents and students will benefit from Mrs. Miller's expertise and dedication. We are delighted to have her on our team.
William Walker Jr.
Board Member, Behavioral Health Director
Mr. Walker Jr., a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, has built an extensive career in various areas of Human Services. He has experience as a Co-owner/Manager of Adult/Adolescent Group Homes, Educational Consultant, Prevention Specialist, Student Services Coordinator, and currently works with an agency providing training for staff and youth through team building skills. With a passion for learning and helping others apply strategies to improve their daily living experiences, Mr. Walker Jr. brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team.
Courtney Woodberry
Education Program Director
Courtney Woodberry is a diverse professional with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from UNC-Greensboro and a Masters of Business Administration degree from UNC-Wilmington. She has over 7 years of experience working as a math teacher at both the elementary and middle-grade levels. Since transitioning out of education, Courtney works in Corporate Finance. Because she loves teaching, she still finds the time for tutoring. Courtney is a natural born leader and planner. She’s always encouraged her peers and students to attempt to operate in a growth-mindset; not stressing over imperfection, but challenging self to become better with each opportunity and embracing the wins as they come. She reminds us that growth looks different for each person and for each situation. We are delighted to have her on our team as the Education Program Director.
Felicia D. Higgs, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Felicia Higgs is a full-time employee of Guilford County Schools, where she provides speech and language services to middle and high school students. She also serves elementary school students as needed throughout the year. Mrs. Higgs earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Communicative Disorders with an emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology from Eastern New Mexico University in December 2003. Since 2004, she has been a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, holding a Certificate of Clinical Competence as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Additionally, she is a member of the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing and holds a license from the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. Throughout her career, Mrs. Higgs has provided services in various settings, including schools, virtual services to schools, home health, skilled nursing facilities, early intervention, and as an adjunct professor at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is enthusiastic about providing skilled expressive and receptive language therapy, emphasizing total communication for non-verbal or limited language individuals. Mrs. Higgs has been married for over 20 years and is a mother to three sons. She has lived and provided speech/language services in New Mexico, Virginia, Indiana, and North Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cycling, and traveling. Mrs. Higgs brings a wealth of expertise to our team, and her skills will uplift and change the lives of many students.
Ray Henderson Jr.
Marketing Director
Ray Jr. is committed to assisting children in elevating their mental state through the power of positive thinking, and breaking free from mental bondage. As our Marketing Director, he utilizes his marketing skills to bring attention to the need for this cause and raise awareness. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of obtaining mental health support, Mr. Henderson is dedicated to making it easier for others to access the resources they need. We believe that mental health should be a priority for all individuals, regardless of their background. Our foundation, Healing the Roots, is dedicated to empowering individuals from all walks of life to access the resources and support they need to thrive.
Ray Henderson Sr.
Operations and Volunteer Director
Ray holds an Adult Mental Health First Aid USA certification from the Council for Mental Wellbeing. In his role as the Global Supply Chain Manager for IQE, he brings a wealth of expertise, overseeing operations, identifying cost-cutting initiatives, and providing training on team cohesiveness, leadership, and board goals. His extensive knowledge of supply chain management enables him to effectively manage technology systems and ensure the smooth flow of goods and services. Additionally, Ray plays an instrumental role in volunteer recruitment by creating job descriptions, posting opportunities, and organizing community events. To further support volunteer engagement, he provides orientation, training, and supervision to all new recruits, ensuring they are well-prepared for their roles.
Cheryl Renee Caple
Director of Grants and Donations
Renee Caple's Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science is a vital asset to our non-profit organization, as it aligns with our mission to support children who have experienced trauma. Renee is dedicated to securing funding for interventions like tutoring, coping skills development, and therapy. Her passion and exceptional ability to build strong relationships make her an invaluable member of our team, and we are grateful for her contributions to improving the educational outcomes and overall well-being of these children.
Destiny Nixon
Case Manager Director
Destiny Nixon is a compassionate professional with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Winston Salem State University. She has over 5 years of experience working with children and continues to work with Exceptional Children as a teacher. With her expertise, dedication, and collaborative approach, she provides invaluable support to our clients in navigating complex systems and accessing essential resources to achieve their goals. We are proud to have her on our non-profit team.
Silvia Cardenas
Spanish Interpreter & Translation Services Coordinator
Meet Silvia Cardenas, our highly skilled and passionate Spanish interpreter and translator. She has extensive experience in providing language services. Silvia is a critical member of our team, ensuring effective communication with Spanish-speaking communities. Her fluency in Spanish and cultural sensitivity are instrumental in making our services accessible to all. We are grateful for Silvia's skills and dedication to serving others.
Andreana Leverette
Advisor
Andreana Leverette a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. She is an experienced case manager and juvenile court counselor with a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children and families. As an advisor to the board, she will use her career experience to guide the direction of the organization and ensure the well-being of families.
Bernard Davis
Nonprofit Development Advisor
Mr. Davis, holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Healthcare Management. He is the President and CEO of RAO. Mr. Davis will serve as our organization's Counsel. He will provide guidance and support as we work to improve trauma-related symptoms in children to enhance their daily functioning and learning experience. With his experience in leading a nonprofit and expertise in navigating nonprofit rules and regulations, we are excited to have his support in advancing our shared goals.
Angela Middleton
Mental Health Advisor
We are honored to have Mrs. Middleton, a highly qualified and experienced mental health professional, as our Mental Health Advisor. With a Master's Degree in Counseling and over 20 years of experience as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, her expertise will be invaluable in supporting our mission and those we serve.