Our Staff Nazareth Child & Family Connection has targeted a specific population of North Carolina’s children and developed a program that specifically address deficit areas children may exhibit in their home environment, educational setting, and in the community.

Vernon L Walters, Jr. has been the President/CEO of Nazareth Child & Family Connection for 19 years. During his tenure at Nazareth he has worked to increase the services and continuum of care provided to the community. He has provided the leadership to include Residential Level II services, Day Treatment services, and Mental Health and Substance Abuse counseling in the agency’s array of services and has opened locations in Salisbury, Albemarle, and Lexington. Mr. Walters has also established the infrastructure needed to ensure Nazareth obtained accreditation through the Council on Accreditation and maintain accreditation for the past 18 years.

Mr. Walters obtained his Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina Pembroke. Prior to his tenure at Nazareth, Mr. Walters served as the CEO/President of American Children’s Home in Lexington, NC and Executive Director of Sipe’s Orchard Home for Boys in Conover, NC. Mr. Walters currently lives in Lexington, NC with his wife, Renee.

Hugo Crigler joined Nazareth in October of 2021. Prior to that he worked as a print salesman and business consultant for 33 years (1989-2022). Mr. Crigler obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from UNCC. He lives in northern Davidson County with his wife Janet.

Mr. Lookabill joined Nazareth in November of 2015. Prior to that he worked as a Certified Public Accountant. Chris graduated in 1997 from UNC - Chapel Hill with a BS in Business Administration. In 1999, Chris graduated from UNC - Greensboro with a BS in Accounting. He then completed his Masters in Accounting in 2000, also from UNC- Greensboro. Chris is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant. He lives in Lexington, NC with his wife, Claire, two sons, Thomas and James, and his daughter, Ellis.

Mr. Yousey joined Nazareth Child and Family Connection in October of 2012 when then Nazareth Children’s Home merged with Carolina Counseling and Consultation, an outpatient Mental Health and Substance abuse agency he co-owned and managed with Jim Mallinson.

During his tenure with Nazareth, he has overseen all clinical services at their outpatient offices in Salisbury, Lexington, and Concord as well as starting and managing a trauma focused level 3 residential group home and a day treatment program with three locations.

Prior to Carolina Counseling and Consultation, Greg worked as an independent practitioner in Rowan County serving to meet the mental health and developmental needs of local residents. In his career he has worked with a number of DD Agencies including RHA, GHA Autism Supports, and Horizon’s Residential Care and he holds the belief that a comprehensive team approach to mental health, Substance abuse, and developmental needs has the best hope for successful outcomes. Mr. Yousey has been an active member of the local mental health community and has been an active past member of the Cardinal Innovations Piedmont COC Network Council where he advocated for the needs of Licensed Independent Practitioners (LIPs) and LIP Agencies. He received his License to practice in NC from the NC Psychology Board in 1998, his Masters of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Appalachian State University in 1996, and his Undergraduate degree in Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1993. He lives in Salisbury, NC where he resides with his wife and three daughters.

Ms. Cagler has a Bachelor of Social Work degree and a Master of Arts degree. Donna has worked at Nazareth for over 20 years. She likes reading inspirational books, attending worship services and spending time with family.

Her two favorite Bible verses are “Because of Him, I live again” and “Be still and know that I am God”.

Since 2007, Jennifer Ethridge has been the Director of Human Resources at NCFC. Prior to coming to NCFC, Jennifer worked in direct care for residential services, case management, and as Residential Director at American Children's Home in Lexington, NC. Jennifer received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Cultural Anthropology at Memorial University of Newfoundland and a Masters of Public Affairs at University of North Carolina Greensboro. She currently holds a Professional in Human Resources Certification, is a member of the Society of Human Resources (SHRM), and is a peer reviewer for the Council on Accreditation. Jennifer is a native of St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada and has lived in North Carolina since 1997. Jennifer currently lives in Salisbury, NC with her husband, son, and dog.

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. " - Maya Angelou

Mrs. Squirewell Joined the Nazareth family in May of 2006 as a residential counselor in the transitional living program for males. After working direct care she moved into Case Management for Therapeutic Foster Care Services, before becoming the Director of the Foster Care & Adoptions programs. Originally from Maryland, Shawn moved to North Carolina to attend Catawba College in 2000. She graduated in 2004 with a Degree in Sociology and Minor in Psychology. She currently resides in Salisbury with her husband and two children.