Samara’s Village has hired Deborah “Debbie” Keener, who will direct the nonprofit’s program activities, according to a news release.

Prior to her role as the program director, Keener volunteered as the education coordinator and a Home Visitor since May 2016. She is certified by Florida State University to deliver the Partners For a Healthy Baby curriculum, a major component of the services offered by Samara’s Village.

Samara’s Village provides teen pregnancy and parenting support and education in Brunswick County. The program director position was possible by a grant from the Cape Fear Memorial Foundation, a supporter of not-for-profit organizations providing services that improve the health and wellness of the people of southeastern North Carolina, officials said in the release.

Keener joined the organization as a highly-experienced educator, having obtained her master's in education and taught at all levels of learning, including elementary, middle school, high school and college environments.

“I was attracted by the Samara’s Village mission to educate, equip, and empower pregnant or parenting teens and their families. I see this as an opportunity to make a significant community impact outside the classroom," Keener said in the release.

Keener said she plans to strengthen the nonprofit’s public relations by emphasizing the organization’s vision to positively affect the health and well-being of families in the county for many generations.

“We exist to strengthen the family, and in turn, strengthen our county. We take a holistic approach to providing education and support that focuses on the family unit, not just the teen mother," she said of the vision.