Teen Health Connection

12/17/2025

December is Adolescent Appreciation Month at Teen Health Connection. During the month, we are highlighting the outstanding teens we work with and the impact they’re making on their schools and communities. Today we’re highlighting Sophey Cherry, a senior at Northwest School of the Arts.

Q: What is your role at Teen Health Connection?
A: I am a part of the Teen Advisory Board as a member (TAB)

Q: How long have you been a participant in Teen Health Connection’s programs?
A: I have participated in Teen Health Connection since 2021, my 8th-grade year, starting with my first viewing of their play production of “The Big Picture.”

Q: How has this participation benefited you as a teenager?
A: My participation has immensely impacted me as a teenager in this generation through my pledge of staying alcohol, to***co, and other drugs (ATOD) free. I have had the opportunity to speak at the international CADCA conference in Dallas, Texas, serve as a panelist at events, and act in a few short films to spread a notion in which I am beyond passionate about. I had the utmost privilege in providing a mentorship to a group of middle school students through our annual summit initiative, and I even helped select scholarship recipients to change-making teenage pioneers; all in the aid of spreading the mission of developing and empowering adolescent leaders into making informed decisions due to a conscientious pursuit of a healthy life. This organization has been a driving force in my personal and professional growth by fostering my developing values of leadership, responsibility, and resilience, inspiring me to actively contribute to my community and become a positive influence for others.

12/16/2025

It’s “Where’s Pixie?” Day! Recently, Pixie took a “field trip” and participated in Leadership Charlotte’s Healthcare Day at The Pearl. Founded in 1978, Leadership Charlotte is focused on building Charlotte community leaders through inclusive leadership development. Leadership Charlotte is a 10-month program for emerging and existing leaders and includes monthly sessions focused on key issues impacting our community. Clark Bridge, one of Teen Health Connection’s 11 behavioral health therapists, and Pixie visited the HealthCare Day to share about Teen Health Connection’s integrated medical and behavioral health services for adolescents and teens and to talk about the importance of pet therapy. Pixie was certainly a big hit during the day-long session.

This week’s Pixie tip - The Leadership Charlotte team members give the best pats and rubs. I’m so glad they invited us to be part of the day. If you’re interested in having a representative come to your group to talk about Teen Health Connection, please reach out to our Director of Development, Jerri Haigler, at 704-381-8345 or Jerri.Haigler@TeenHealthConnection.org.

12/11/2025

Last Thursday we celebrated a changing of the guard at Teen Health Connection with an unforgettable welcome reception for our new Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Thomas, and her family.

More than 70 team members, partners, supporters, and donors gathered at The Junior League of Charlotte to congratulate Dr. Thomas and to wish her well in her new role.

As Dr. Thomas noted in her remarks, Teen Health Connection is needed now more than ever in order to help empower our teens to be healthy, safe, and successful. The video of her remarks is in the comments.

Enjoy this video recap of the celebration: https://youtu.be/cJYf8ZampQQ

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12/11/2025

This month is "Adolescent Appreciation" Month at Teen Health Connection. Throughout the month, we're featuring adolescents and young adults involved with Teen Health Connection who are making a difference in their communities and schools. Today we feature Kenna Klaesi.

Kenna Klaesi is a sophomore at Myers Park High School, who serves on our Teen Advisory Board, and is slated to graduate in 2028.
Q: How long have you been a participant in Teen Health Connection's programs?
A: I have been a member of the Teen Advisory Board since my freshman year of high school.

Q: How has this participation benefited you as a teenager?
A: Being part of TAB has opened my eyes to what teens in Charlotte are really experiencing, and it’s made me more confident talking about important health topics. It’s also given me a fun, supportive space to speak up about mental health and help spread awareness in a positive way!
Q: Is there anything you would like to say about Teen Health Connection and how important our services are to teens?
A: I am so proud to be part of TAB, and I love how it truly allows teens to be an active part of the Charlotte community while staying informed. It helps us understand the real health issues our peers face, and with that awareness, we’re able to support one another and create meaningful change.

12/09/2025

It’s “Where’s Pixie?” Day! Today, Pixie is with Brittany Thomas, MD in Teen Health Connection’s adolescent medicine services area. Dr. Thomas is board certified in adolescent medicine and pediatrics and is a strong advocate for quality care for adolescents and young adults.

Teen Health Connection offers medical services including sport/school/camp physicals, immunizations, acute care (colds, acne, injuries), chronic illness prevention and management, same-day sick appointments, reproductive health, and more. To schedule an appointment or learn more about the medical services provided by Teen Health Connection, call (704) 381-TEEN (8336).

This week’s Pixie tip - “Sit, stay, and schedule your check-up! The Teen Health Connection medical team keeps teens and young adults healthy - fur real!

12/03/2025

December is Adolescent Appreciation Month at Teen Health Connection. During the month, we are highlighting the outstanding teens we work with and the impact they’re making on their schools and communities. Today, we’re highlighting Teen Advisory Board (TAB) member Cameron Miller.

Cameron is a senior at East Mecklenburg High School and has been a TAB member for four years. Here’s what Cameron had to say about Teen Health Connection -

“This program has allowed me to find my inner voice and build up my self-confidence. Teen Health Connection is super important for teens because their services are geared specifically toward teens, meaning they know how to get proper help and resources to any teen.”

12/02/2025

It's “Where’s Pixie?” Day! And it's also Giving Tuesday, a global movement unleashing the power of radical generosity.

Today, Pixie is encouraging you to consider a gift to Teen Health Connection. Created in 2012, Giving Tuesday is a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

Pixie invites you to give back by joining in the work of Teen Health Connection. By making a gift today, you have the ability to impact the nearly 7,000 teens we serve annually through integrated medical and behavioral health services, teen leadership development, health and parent education, research, and advocacy.

https://teenhealthconnection.org/give-now/

This week’s Pixie tip – "No bones about it" making a gift to Teen Health Connection is a great way to have an impact on our community, our adolescents, and their families.

12/02/2025

Today is GIVING TUESDAY! A global movement that encourages people to do good and give back. Teen Health Connection is the leading provider of integrated medical and behavioral health services for adolescents and young adults ages 11 through 25 in the Charlotte region. But don't just take our word for it - check out this video highlighting families who have been impacted by our work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjPRAUK3mS0

Would you consider a gift today? It's easy: https://teenhealthconnection.org/give-now/

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

12/01/2025

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday. A day that encourages people to do good. This global movement asks people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

Will you consider joining in the work of Teen Health Connection? By making a gift, you have the ability to impact the nearly 7,000 teens we serve annually through integrated medical and behavioral health services, teen leadership development, health and parent education, research, and advocacy.

It's easy - https://teenhealthconnection.org/give-now/

11/29/2025

GIVING TUESDAY is only four days away. Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical giving. Created in 2012, Giving Tuesday is a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. This movement asks people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

We encourage you to give back by joining in the work of Teen Health Connection. By making a gift, you have the ability to impact the nearly 7,000 teens we serve annually through integrated medical and behavioral health services, teen leadership development, health and parent education, research, and advocacy.

It's easy. https://teenhealthconnection.org/give-now/

11/28/2025

There are only 4 days left and $10,000 could be yours to attend college if you are selected!

We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Johnston Ziegler Safrit Youth Leadership Scholarship through December 1, 2025. This scholarship recognizes high school seniors who are leaving a mark on their community. Through this scholarship, Teen Health Connection is investing in future leaders, changemakers, and advocates.

The selected youth will receive a $10,000 educational scholarship to the college or university of their choice.

If you are a graduating senior, use the link below to apply today: https://teenhealthconnection.org/johnston-ziegler-safrit-scholarship/

11/27/2025

Teen Health Connection is closed today in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We wish you and your family a Happy, Healthy, and Safe Thanksgiving. We're grateful for our teens, families, donors, partners and team members for their contributions to our work. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure our teens are successful.