Amazing Grace Advocacy was Founded in 2015

  Melissa Guinn grew up in Columbia, South Carolina where she got a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education at Columbia College She was drawn to special ed due to seeing her brother struggle in school after suffering from Hydrocephalus and missing school in his younger years. She wanted to help kids and families and has always had a heart for those who seem to need help or support in some way. After moving to Charlotte and teaching for 8 years she met her husband Steve and they have been married for 30 years. They have a daughter named Caroline who has mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, anxiety and sensory processing disorder. As she grew Melissa and Steve worked to support her in any way possible. 

Once Caroline grew to a teenager, Melissa met Gwen Bartley and started working at AGA  as a Navigator. Over the years Melissa has felt that a resource was needed to help families learn special needs terms and about community resources as well as to help families see that they are not alone in the raising of a child with disabilities. Her book, Stronger Than We Knew, is coming out in July 2027. 

Melissa knows that God has put a fire in her heart for those who walk the road of facing life with a disability. She has a heart to encourage moms especially as they carry much of the load of helping their children navigate the world She enjoys leading Bible studies for moms of kids with disabilities, speaking to teachers and schools and helping develop programs for young adults who need a chance to grow and become the amazing young adults that God has designed them to be. 

Through her professional life as a teacher and her lived experience as a mom and wife Melissa is thankful for the opportunity to tell another family that though life can be hard every one of us is                   stronger than we knew.   

 Celeste has a background in special education with an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Child and Family Development and a master’s degree from Western Carolina University in Special Education. Prior to joining Amazing Grace, she taught for 15 years in local school systems in a variety of special education settings, including: EC Pre-K, More at Four, Day Treatment, and resource and co-teaching/inclusion at the elementary and high school levels. She also has various experiences working with children with special needs 1:1 in their home and throughout the community. Celeste lives in the Charlotte area with her husband and their 4 children.  Her oldest son is internationally adopted and has Creatine Transporter Deficiency (a rare genetic condition). In addition to her work as a navigator with Amazing Grace, she serves as a board member, Secretary, and Director of Education for the Association for Creatine Deficiencies. 

Celeste has a heart for kiddos with complex needs and dual diagnoses.  

Anna worked as a public-school special educator for 11 years-5 years in the high school level and 6 years at the county level. Her last role was to oversee special programs such as the transition to adulthood class development, Occupational Course of Study, and support behavior management in classrooms across the district of Cabarrus County. She left that career to run a disability inclusive business & additional consulting company. Anna is also now teach as a professor of special education at Catawba College. Anns has special interests in early adulthood, employment skill development, educational advocacy and school relationships. 

She loves spending time on her small homestead, homeschooling her 5 children, and hanging out with her chickens!

Credentials:

B.S. Special Education

M.S.-Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis

G.S.L.-Educational Leadership

PhD-Psychology-Human Development

NC Licensed Teacher: K-12 Gen Curriculum; K-12 Adapted Curriculum; School Leadership

Years ago I found myself needing services and support for my own child. Navigating the system can be overwhelming and I realized how difficult it can be for families to find resources and access the help they needed. 

That inspired me to learn what I can, take courses over time and become an advocate myself. 

My passion and focus on helping other families not only grew me as an advocate but gave me the drive to go further, learn more and become certified in other areas.

I believe every family deserves access to resources, support and opportunities that allow their children to thrive. 

I specialize in supporting children and families facing learning, behavioral and mental health challenges. My focus includes learning disabilities, in elementary and middle school aged children, trauma informed care, and assisting in helping families access the resources they need. 

I am a mother of four(3 daughters- 27, 23, 15, a son 16) and a Mimi of 2 sweet baby boys. 

My husband and I live in Concord and all of our children have attended CCS so between my own children and those I have helped I’m very familiar with CCS. 

We love to travel when we can, if I have downtime(which is rare) I love to read. I enjoy cooking and you will most likely always find me with an iced coffee in hand. 

 Credentials -North Carolina Certified Family Partner (NC-CFP)-Certified in QPR(Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention for Youth and Adults-Certified in Mental Health First Aid in Youth and Adults-Trauma Informed Specialist 

As a North Carolina Certified Family Partner, I bring both professional training and lived experience to my work supporting children, youth, and families. My certifications include Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention for Youth and Adults, Mental Health First Aid for Youth and Adults, and Trauma-Informed Care. 

Since 1985, the Family Support Network™ has worked to empower families across North Carolina, offering vital support and services. Our network continues to grow, dedicated to helping families with children facing special needs lead full, enriching lives.