Ellarie is a graduate student at NC State University studying School Psychology, and has been a College Ambassador for RiverCross since the program launched in Fall 2025. We asked her to share more about her experience with RiverCross.
My initial transition to NC State was a bit of a rocky one. Learning how to navigate a new city, manage graduate level courses, and find community was a seemingly overwhelming task. Thankfully, the NC State Study Center provided a welcoming sense of calm and community in the midst of the busyness around me. Being a part of the Study Center has allowed me to meet and befriend an amazing Christian community.
Not only that, but it has allowed me to reconnect with past friendships. I initially met Maddie Grace Wohlschlegel, RiverCross’ Development Assistant, at UNC Chapel Hill through a campus ministry. I became intrigued hearing about her job at RiverCross. After learning about the heart and mission of RiverCross, I knew it was something I needed to be a part of.
Working with children and serving vulnerable communities has also been something I am passionate about. As a graduate student of school psychology, I hope to use my degree to work with children in the school setting and support them not only in their academic success but in their overall well-being. I was thrilled to learn how my passions aligned with RiverCross’ mission to care for vulnerable children, and was eager to become a College Ambassador.
Through the program, I have learned about RiverCross’ Christ-centered trauma-informed care they incorporate into their training. Maddie Grace leads our group of College Ambassadors through weekly training, where we listen to and discuss the audio dramas, meet with RiverCross staff and other local non-profit leaders, and read books on related topics.
Specifically, experiencing the audio dramas has had a profound effect on me. I had no idea how accessible and impactful the narrative story-telling format could be. I now understand how these audio dramas can provide healing and hope for children who have experienced trauma, as they listen to stories similar to their own. Through this program, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to run a nonprofit and the measurable impact RiverCross has in equipping caregivers of vulnerable children.
As a college ambassador, I have had the privilege of participating in various RiverCross community events, where I have met advocates and donors who make their impact possible. Hearing their hearts for RiverCross’s mission has influenced and inspired me. It has also been incredibly rewarding to create and host our own RiverCross events for students at the Study Center. I hope to display the same passion and love for this mission that I have experienced from other RiverCross supporters.
This summer, I will travel to Nairobi, Kenya for the RiverCross Summit. The Summit brings together caregivers, church leaders, and advocates for in-person training in trauma-informed, Gospel-centered care. After studying the material for months, I am eager to witness how these tools are received and implemented in a global context. I look forward to serving, learning from local leaders, and supporting the work RiverCross is doing alongside partners in East Africa.
RiverCross has already shaped both my professional path and my personal faith. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue learning and serving through this organization, and I am expectant for how God will work in the months ahead.
The college ambassador program wouldn’t be possible without your support. Thank you for investing in the next generation of advocates.
