As Development Director for Child Protect, Children’s Advocacy Center, Laurel Teel spreads the word about the good work the organization does and oversees fundraising efforts to ensure it can continue doing it.
How long have you been with Child Protect? Since September of 2015
What is the mission of Child Protect? The mission is to interview, counsel and to be an advocate for children when there are allegations of abuse. Our organization exists to minimize the trauma experienced by child abuse victims and to rebuild young lives.
What does your job entail? As the Development Director, I am responsible for all things that are special events, fundraising and marketing related. I coordinate both of our major fundraisers, Barrel of Blues and our Swingin’ Fore Kids Golf Tournament, run our social media accounts and oversee our 15-member Junior Executive Board. Because we are a small staff of six people, our tasks often overlap.
Are you from Montgomery? I am from Wetumpka, went to college at Auburn and soon after, moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, for a few years and loved that experience. But when I would think about my future, I would always picture myself back in the River Region, specifically Montgomery, making a difference in my community.
What’s your favorite thing about your job? At Child Protect, we see the absolute worst in humanity, and some days really test your faith. But then, I open the mail and see that we got a sweet note from a donor with a donation, or that we received a grant we really needed, or even that someone just takes the time to comment on our Facebook page that they are praying for us, and all my faith in humanity is restored.
What are your interests outside of work? Spending time with family and friends, going to my family’s house on Lake Martin, traveling, spoiling my niece, weekly supper club, browsing our local flea markets and attending Cloverdale concerts in the park. childprotect.org
