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The Living and Learning Youth Center is a nonprofit organization designed to aid youth, their families and the community in retaining services, information and coaching needed to become productive members of society, graduate from high school, attend an institution of higher learning or become work/career ready beyond high school. We advocate for youth to grow and thrive during school age years; we educate, motivate and inspire parents, families and communities to advocate for children and model leadership.
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To develop and implement programs and activities to serve youth helping to insure a safe, healthy and productive childhood. To aid youth, their parents/guardians and the community in bringing awareness of the need to reinforce (values, morals, standards) life skills and self-worth. To provide children with meaningful growth experiences that explore mindfulness, citizenship, leadership, and excellence.
Terry Alston Jones |Executive Director
Contact: tajones@livingandlearningyouthcenter.org
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A first-generation college student, Terry attended North Carolina Central University, NCCU earning her Bachelor of English degree and Master of Public Administration degree. She describes the years she spent at NCCU as the awakening of life and all of its possibilities. It was there that she learned many academic and life lessons and met lifelong friends.
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Always embracing new challenges, Terry has served as a Middle Grades Language Arts/Reading teacher, a college-level Developmental English instructor and First Year College Academic Advisor. Terry has also worked extensively in the nonprofit sector throughout the Northeastern sector of North Carolina as a Community Health Outreach Coordinator developing informational material and training modules on Infant Mortality Awareness and Prevention and Women’s Health. She is the author of A Summer With No Ice Cream and The Parent Push, Helping Your Child Succeed Through High School and Beyond. Terry lives with her family on their family farm in Northeastern North Carolina.
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Board of Directors
Sybil Kearney Riollano |Board of Directors
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Sybil Kearney Riollano is a lover of God above all else. Her passion is family. Being the daughter of Calvin Davis and Angelena Kearney-Dunlap, the mother of Justin and Alexander gives her a sense of pride. Sybil says her sons are the joy and delight in life! She also enjoys, entertaining friends and family at her home, working in her yard, crafting and occasionally cooking.
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She has enjoyed a 16 year career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and currently holds a position in the medical department. The fair and equitable treatment of all, inmates and staff alike, is what Sybil hopes to achieve in her daily interactions in the prison setting.
Being a native of Warren County, tracing her roots through slavery to this land, is fulfilling because, despite what the naysayers would have others believe, this is a strong community and GREAT things blossom from the rich history created here.
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Sybil believes that as women, we must stop and take care of ourselves in order to effectively take care of those around us. Self-care is self-love and should not be considered as being selfish. You cannot pour into a vessel if yours is empty.
Stanley Melvin |Board of Directors
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Retired from the NC Department of Public Safety after 39 years of service of which 22 years were served as the Director of Pitt Regional Juvenile Detention Center. Served as Program Consultant at Edgecombe Youth Development Center after retirement and currently teaches Criminal Justice courses at NC Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount. Stanley is a 2002 graduate of the East Carolina University Master of Science in Criminal Justice program. He graduated from North Carolina Central University in 1979 with a BS in Recreation Administration.
He received ECU Department of Criminal Justice, College of Human Ecology Outstanding Alumni Award in 2006 and the ECU Centennial Legacy Award in 2007. In 2012 he received the Special Commendation Award from the Criminal Justice Society of Barton College for his contributions to the Criminal Justice and Criminology programs. In 2016 he received the John R. Larkins Award, the highest civilian civil rights award that can be given to a state employee. He has taught undergraduate criminal justice course at NC Wesleyan College for 4 years. He is currently the Eastern Region Manager of Facility Operations for the NC Department of Public Safety/Division of Juvenile Justice.
Lisa Jordan-Ellis |Board of Directors
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Coming from a long line of preachers, teachers and farmers, Lisa is a native of Warren County and attended North Carolina Central University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. Upon graduating from college she began her career at the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. This challenging career path gave her the opportunity to proudly serve the community and citizens of Durham County. As a law enforcement and corrections professional, Lisa performed various roles and duties to help meet the special needs of vulnerable populations with compassion. Thinking outside of the box was a key component of her abilities and performance. Lisa was a Sergeant and the administrative assistant to the deputy director and command staff at the Durham County Detention Facility. She served as the policy and procedure transition team editor and Accreditation Sergeant for the detention facility. Lisa also served on the Triangle United Way and the Durham County Government County Cares campaign for charitable giving to local organizations. Lisa retired from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office in 2019 and relocated back to her beloved family home where she enjoys spending time with her family.
Taylor Williams |Board of Directors
Taylor Williams a Warren County, North Carolina native from the Arcola community. She graduated from Warren Early College High School in 2019 with an Associate in Science degree and a high school diploma. In 2021, she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Development and Family Studies.
As a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe in Hollister, NC, she participates in different cultural events, such as the Annual Haliwa-Saponi Tribe Pow Wow and during college she was a member and secretary of the Carolina Indian Circle Executive Board, (her home away from home) during her last semester at UNC. Taylor also served as the Secretary on the Executive Board of the North Carolina Native American Youth Organization (NCNAYO) for one year while in high school.
With a passion for dance, Taylor was a competitive dancer in high school and during college, she continued to pursue her passion for dance joining the KamiKazi dance team, a co-ed dance team and one of the most popular dance organizations on campus.
A fun fact about Taylor is that she was featured in a Nike N7 advertisement alongside Halifax County native and America’s Got Talent finalist, Brooke Simpson. She was also given the opportunity to dance for Brooke during her concert in Rocky Mount, NC back in December 2021.
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