Title: Administrator, Director (Retired)

Company: Appalachian Senior Programs

Location: Jefferson, N.C.

Wanda Brooks is the director of a volunteer service for the Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion Programs of New River Behavioral Healthcare. She is interested in starting new volunteer programs in North Carolina. Currently, she is training all new employees in ‘Cultural awareness and acceptance’ through her sponsor. Ms. Brooks attributes her continued success in the field to her inherited values, work ethic, and to her parents who gave her the tools needed to be a good worker.

For 20 years, Ms. Brooks has worked with the corporation’s programs. She has been instrumental in starting new programs in her state and has acted as a consultant to the new project directors and sponsors when needed. She has doubled her volunteers, stations, and reached out to expand services to seniors and the youth. The highlight of her career was serving the foster grandparents in schools. In five years, Ms. Brooks hopes to work as a volunteer and continue in the same profession.