The Family Wellness Outreach Team
Ashley Williams, Interim Executive Director
awilliams@fwocga.org
Ashley Williams is the Program Director with 10 years of experience working as a youth advocate and change agent throughout the state of Georgia. Ashley received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Columbus State University as well as a Bachelors of Business Administration from Georgia Southwestern University. With the hope of continuing to inspire and educate youth, she also received a Masters of Education in School Counseling from Albany State University. While pursuing her Masters, she had the hopes of helping young people deal with the many challenges and obstacles that life might throw at them. Now she works to completely eliminate them.
Ashley has extensive experience in facilitating evidence-based curricula and training in healthy relationships and trauma-informed care. She has worked in communities throughout the state of Georgia providing education, resources, and information for the betterment of families. Her goal in life is to ensure the success of youth and their families.
Christine Cross, Program Director (BJA) ccross@fwocga.org
Christine Cross is currently the Program Director for BJA Success For Life Adult Reentry Program, located in Albany, Georgia. For the past 10 ½ months, she served as a Success Coach for BJA Success For Life Adult Reentry Program.
Prior to working with Family Wellness Outreach Center of Georgia BJA Success For Life Adult Reentry Program Ms. Cross worked with Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, Camilla, Georgia and the Department of Corrections until she retired as a Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment in October 2020. She received many hours of leadership training, facilitation training, Post Certified Corrections Officer Training, among lots of other training.
Ms. Cross received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Social Work from Albany State University in 1994. She completed coursework for a Masters in Criminal Justice in 1996 from Albany State University.
She is the mother of 3 sons and 1 daughter, the proud grandmother of 5 grandsons and 4 granddaughters and 1 very active great grandson.
Ms. Cross is passionate about helping others. Her hobbies include: watching television, spending time with my family, playing games on the telephone and iPad, hosting blood drives and helping others.
Maranda Canty, Team Lead and Data Assistant (SRA) mcanty@fwocga.org
As a public health professional, Maranda Canty has spent the past five years working in Southwest GA, making positive, impactful changes along the way. She understands the significance of giving back to the community and the importance of being a leader. She has facilitated multiple evidence-based curricula to community members of all ages dealing with health-related prevention, intervention, and outreach.
Maranda has gained experience with collecting and analyzing data as well as working with underserved populations throughout her career. She has been trained to facilitate various evidenced-based curricula and has gained knowledge in sexual risk avoidance education and healthy relationships. She is passionate about helping others and making a positive impact in their lives. Maranda Canty currently serves as the Program and Data Assistant. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Health both from Florida State University.
Teresa Martin, Youth and Family Wellness Specialist (SRA) tmartin@fwocga.org
Teresa Martin is a dedicated Youth-Family Wellness Specialist with a passion for empowering families and promoting positive youth development. With a background in counseling and community outreach, Teresa has 6 years of experience working with diverse populations to foster healthy family dynamics and enhance the well-being of children and teenagers. She specializes in areas such as workshops and facilitating and implementing evidence-based curricula with high quality and fidelity to youth, including vulnerable\high needs youth.
Teresa holds her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology while pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University. She is committed to ongoing professional development and providing resources to families. A quote she likes to remember is, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome”. She’s committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of youth and families, offering them the support and tools they need to flourish.