World Changers
With backgrounds in psychology, education, social work, public policy, and finance, Mettle Child’s servant leaders bring an authentic passion for their disciplines and exercise oversight of our organization and purposefully further our Mission, Vision and Values. They are ardently devoted to inciting programs and services of excellence that encourage fun, positive, and improved outcomes for abused, neglected, and exploited children, making their day-by-day experiences as much like home as possible.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
-Joshua 1:9
La Nita Holder, Founder & Executive Director
La Nita Holder is the Founder and Executive Director of Mettle Child, Inc. With over a decade of experience in the human service sector, Holder has made a personal commitment to advancing social good by creating life-changing opportunities for children who have suffered abuse, neglect, and exploitation via grassroots community service and outreach programs. Focusing on issues affecting children and families today, Holder is leading a charge of passion-driven advocates Renewing Childhood Experiences® through art, care, mentoring, and play.
Holder’s innovative leadership has garnered broad recognition from associates to help Alabama’s maltreated children through almsgiving and prayer. “Safe, stable, and nurturing family institutions are key to developing lasting transformation in at-risk youth,” says Holder, who emphasizes that a caring upbringing for children who have suffered repeated trauma or traumatic stress is Mettle Child’s utmost concern. Thereby for the purpose of keeping children in their homes with the families who love them, and out of higher levels of care; in-home and community-based supportive services, as well as civic dialogue help traumatized children overcome social barriers, shame and anger, disruptive and harmful behaviors, community deterioration, dysfunctional thinking, in addition to a myriad of life challenges youth face day-to-day.
Both professionally and as a volunteer, Holder is an avid philanthropist involved with several charitable organizations working with abused and developmentally disabled youth in many capacities raising awareness on the importance of fostering self-compassion, creativity, and economic hope. As a result, Holder has an array of assessment, treatment, management, and training practice. Implementing a Whatever It Takes model, Holder and her foundation make it possible for traumatized children to rise above their circumstance, resolve conflict, and achieve their goals. Through career experience among diverse populations of children suffering from chronic and serious mental or physical disabilities, foster care, forensic, inner city, multiculturalism, and special education; Holder was able to hone her craft in counseling, community and in-home services, day treatment programs, crisis and psychiatric medical centers, group homes, intensive residential treatment facilities, outpatient clinics, psychoeducational workshops, and transitional living programs. One thing is certain, Holder is concerned and compassionate about child welfare, ensuring every child's days are happy, healthy, and meaningful.
Holder holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi with graduate studies from West Georgia University. She is an authorized facilitator of Darkness to Light, leading the Stewards of Children Prevention Training, which teaches adults how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Holder is also a facilitator of Love and Logic, helping parents, educators, and care providers raise responsible children. Along with certification in Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI), an advanced, interactive therapeutic strategy for turning crisis situations into learning opportunities for children and youth with chronic patterns of self-defeating behaviors.
Heart and hand, Holder is dedicated to give her energies advocating for those who are unable to advocate for themselves by virtue of devout voluntarism with the Alabama Baptist Children's Homes, a ministry to protect, nurture, and restore children and families through Christ-centered services; Girl Scouts of the USA, building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place; and the Mobile Bay Sierra Club, an environmental organization working together to protect our communities and the planet. Holder's community involvement includes her playing essential roles as an active member of the Azalea City Republican Women, Conde Explorers, and Dauphin Way Baptist Church. When Holder is not giving all of herself to leadership, she enjoys tennis, poi spinning, collecting Abstract Expressionism art, and cruising along the Gulf Coast with her family and wild child, Javert Obasi.
Holder’s innovative leadership has garnered broad recognition from associates to help Alabama’s maltreated children through almsgiving and prayer. “Safe, stable, and nurturing family institutions are key to developing lasting transformation in at-risk youth,” says Holder, who emphasizes that a caring upbringing for children who have suffered repeated trauma or traumatic stress is Mettle Child’s utmost concern. Thereby for the purpose of keeping children in their homes with the families who love them, and out of higher levels of care; in-home and community-based supportive services, as well as civic dialogue help traumatized children overcome social barriers, shame and anger, disruptive and harmful behaviors, community deterioration, dysfunctional thinking, in addition to a myriad of life challenges youth face day-to-day.
Both professionally and as a volunteer, Holder is an avid philanthropist involved with several charitable organizations working with abused and developmentally disabled youth in many capacities raising awareness on the importance of fostering self-compassion, creativity, and economic hope. As a result, Holder has an array of assessment, treatment, management, and training practice. Implementing a Whatever It Takes model, Holder and her foundation make it possible for traumatized children to rise above their circumstance, resolve conflict, and achieve their goals. Through career experience among diverse populations of children suffering from chronic and serious mental or physical disabilities, foster care, forensic, inner city, multiculturalism, and special education; Holder was able to hone her craft in counseling, community and in-home services, day treatment programs, crisis and psychiatric medical centers, group homes, intensive residential treatment facilities, outpatient clinics, psychoeducational workshops, and transitional living programs. One thing is certain, Holder is concerned and compassionate about child welfare, ensuring every child's days are happy, healthy, and meaningful.
Holder holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi with graduate studies from West Georgia University. She is an authorized facilitator of Darkness to Light, leading the Stewards of Children Prevention Training, which teaches adults how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Holder is also a facilitator of Love and Logic, helping parents, educators, and care providers raise responsible children. Along with certification in Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI), an advanced, interactive therapeutic strategy for turning crisis situations into learning opportunities for children and youth with chronic patterns of self-defeating behaviors.
Heart and hand, Holder is dedicated to give her energies advocating for those who are unable to advocate for themselves by virtue of devout voluntarism with the Alabama Baptist Children's Homes, a ministry to protect, nurture, and restore children and families through Christ-centered services; Girl Scouts of the USA, building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place; and the Mobile Bay Sierra Club, an environmental organization working together to protect our communities and the planet. Holder's community involvement includes her playing essential roles as an active member of the Azalea City Republican Women, Conde Explorers, and Dauphin Way Baptist Church. When Holder is not giving all of herself to leadership, she enjoys tennis, poi spinning, collecting Abstract Expressionism art, and cruising along the Gulf Coast with her family and wild child, Javert Obasi.
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
-Exodus 14:14
Mertis Shearry, RN, Director of Clinical Services
For Mertis Shearry, service is something that has long been close to her heart. Top of her class, Shearry holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Mississippi College. A humanitarian, Shearry has been caring for the lives of others since she was five years of age. Today she has carried that passion on into her career as the Nurse Manager at West Anaheim Medical Center.
Integrity, generosity, and kindness are Shearry's hallmark attributes. She joined the family of Mettle Child on the twenty-ninth day of September in the year of our Lord 2013, providing her helping hand to those most in need. A devoted wife and mother of two, Shearry successfully juggles careers and never ending extracurricular PTA, Cub Scott, and Mettle Child events. Her energy and creativity have been irreplaceable since she joined the family of Mettle Child on the twenty-ninth day of September in the year of our Lord 2013. We truly appreciate her dedication and compassionate service to the children and families of Mettle Child.
Integrity, generosity, and kindness are Shearry's hallmark attributes. She joined the family of Mettle Child on the twenty-ninth day of September in the year of our Lord 2013, providing her helping hand to those most in need. A devoted wife and mother of two, Shearry successfully juggles careers and never ending extracurricular PTA, Cub Scott, and Mettle Child events. Her energy and creativity have been irreplaceable since she joined the family of Mettle Child on the twenty-ninth day of September in the year of our Lord 2013. We truly appreciate her dedication and compassionate service to the children and families of Mettle Child.
But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
-Psalm 59:16
Director of Communications
A little about me coming soon!
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire,
thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
-Isaiah 43:2
Director of Development
A little about me coming soon!
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins,
your Father will not forgive your sins.
-Matthew 6:14
Director of Human Resources
A little about me coming soon!
And he said: Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
-Matthew 18:3
Allen Dougherty, Director of Operations
A little about me coming soon!