Main Street Moms on the Move ~ April 2017

By Rachel Hoeing

I am thrilled to introduce three more amazing women to our readers today. Our Main Street Moms on the Move for April include Helen, Megan, and Melissa – three women who are not only making a difference in the lives of their own families, but in the lives of others as well.

We hope you enjoy getting to know these women and will read more about the foundations and charities they support as well.

Helen Langley Naples

Helen has made her home in Winston-Salem for 30 years.  The former owner/operator of Women’s Wellness & Fitness, she raised 2 daughters (now 19 and 22) in the Triad community.  In June 2014, she traveled to Northern Thailand to research anti-human trafficking efforts, and network with organizations engaged in the work.  It was during this trip that she discovered the magnitude of the problem of child sex trafficking, and met one of its toughest opponents:  Boom Bean of the HUG Project Thailand.  “Boom is equal parts compassion and steel,” explains Helen.  “Boundless compassion for child victims of sexual violence, and steely resolve to bring justice to perpetrators.”

Almost 3 years later, Helen now lives and works in Thailand- supporting the work of Boom Bean and the HUG Project:  preventing, protecting, and restoring child victims of sexual abuse and trafficking.  We caught up with her during a visit home to NC.

“When people ask me what it has been like in Thailand, I compare it to becoming a parent,” says Naples.  “Beautiful and hard.  Hard and beautiful.  No one can really prepare you for how challenging it will be.  No one can accurately describe the depth of emotion.  But God stretches the heart- bringing impossible joy out of unimaginable pain.  I will never be the same.”

In the battle against child trafficking, the HUG Project focuses on prevention (through education and programming for children, families, and communities), on protection (through fact-finding, surveillance, case consultations, victim assistance, and other collaboration with law enforcement), and on restoration (through connecting victims and their families with resources such as counseling, medical care, education, and rehab).

For more information, please check out:  http://www.hugproject.org/.  To follow Helen’s journey, log on to:  http://theelephantchronicles.com/ or search Facebook for “The Elephant Chronicles”.

Megan Berlinger

Megan is a hometown girl and enjoys calling Winston home with her husband Bob and two daughters Julia (8) and Gabby (5).  Megan and Bob returned to Winston the year they married almost 11 years ago.

Like many moms Megan wears multiple hats.  Professionally she serves as Business Administrator of the Heart and Vascular Service Line at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center where she enjoys working with physicians and teams in providing the best care for patients.  Megan most enjoys the people she works with at WFBH as well as the ability to provide full continuum of services including cutting edge care to patients here in Winston.  Similar to the vision of the early leaders that moved the medical school to Winston Salem, she is proud and thankful for the continued strategy to provide the best care in our community.

Beyond Wake Forest, Megan serves as Vice President for the Association of Academic Surgical Administrators and as editorial advisor for Cardiovascular Business Magazine.  She is an avid Carolina Tar Heel fan, enjoys running and plays in an adult soccer league.  She also enjoys being outside with her family watching her kids play sports or at a park. Megan recently started a Rodan & Fields business, “R&F Making a Difference” with all profits going toward community need or an organization that gives back.  Her goal is to provide an example to her daughters of challenging yourself professionally while spending quality time with your family and giving back to your community.

As Megan approaches balance in life she is often reminded of a family friend’s favorite song from the Gaithers.  “Count my blessings, great things He has done… Greatly Blessed and Highly Favored, Imperfect but forgiven child of God.”  She is thankful for God’s grace and grateful for the many blessings in her life including family, friends and opportunities.

Melissa Brooks

Melissa is the newest member of the team here at Triad Moms on Main. She joined our team last summer and is going strong with sales in the Greensboro and Burlington areas. She has been a wonderful addition to our group and we wanted to share more about her today!

After moving from New Jersey 25 years ago, Melissa has lived most of her life in and around Greensboro. After graduating from college in Charlotte and working a few different positions, Melissa decided to come back to the Triad to get married and start a family. She and her husband Scott have three children (Kamdyn, 6 and Paige and Reese who are 3). They have their parents close by, which is so important to them and their three girls.  “I was very close to my grandparents growing up and I love seeing the bond my girls have with theirs.”

A stay-at-home mom, Melissa also volunteers with Family Support Network of Central Carolina. FSN provides support, education and caring connections to families who have a child with special needs or experience a NICU stay. Melissa is a member of the Poker for Preemies committee which is a fun event where all proceeds support FSN. Melissa is also a member of the Children’s Ministry team at her church and works part time in sales for TMoM.  After being out of the workforce for a few years, Melissa is thrilled to be working again and connecting with other adults.

In her spare time, Melissa enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering at Kamdyn’s school, book club and anything outdoors.

Know a local mom who might be a perfect person to feature in our next Main Street Moms on the Move blog? Email Rachel@triadmomsonmain.com. 

To view our archived Moms on the Move features, click here. 

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