Brennon Graham, executive director of The Relatives, a resource center for families in crisis, says he will leave that post later this year to accept a new job in Columbia, S.C.
Starting January 1, Graham will lead Growing Home Southeast, an organization incorporated in 2014 to assist children and families in need.
“My life and heart’s work has always been to remove barriers to success for our community’s most vulnerable youth and families,” Graham said in a statement released Wednesday. “I have benefitted so much from exceptionally talented staff who work tirelessly to make a difference in Mecklenburg County. My successor will find The Relatives in these empowered hands.”
With locations throughout South Carolina, Growing Home connects at-risk children, youth and families to foster care services, community and home-based care and supportive housing.
At The Relatives, Graham is “developing a transition plan to ensure a smooth transfer of leadership,” the organization said in a statement. The Relatives’ parent organization, Alexander Youth Network, will help coordinate a search for a new executive director.
Graham graduated from Winthrop University in 2000 and started his career in 1995 as a residential counselor for York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs. After moving to Charlotte, he worked in quality assurance at a residential treatment center and at Alexander Youth Network as the business relations executive. Graham earned an MBA and a Master’s degree in health administration from Pfeiffer University in 2008. He was named executive director of The Relatives in 2005.
Among his achievements, the organization said, Graham helped develop the On Ramp Resource Center to support young adults aged 16 to 24 with job training and “futures planning.” Also under his leadership, Journey Place opened to provide independent living for young men transitioning out of foster care.
“We will greatly miss Brennon, but we are so happy for him and his family,” said Alexander Youth Network CEO Craig Bass. “Brennon has expanded the impact of The Relatives’ work; we know the families across South Carolina will benefit from his vision, leadership and expertise.”
