Advocates For Children Hires New Executive Director

CARTERSVILLE, GA — Advocates for Children has named Rachel Castillo to serve as president and CEO of the organization. Castillo's new role leading the organization went into effect Monday, July 23.

Before coming to Advocates for Children, Castillo most recently served as the vice president of Program Services at MUST Ministries. She previously served at Lutheran Services of Georgia, Inc., as the director of operations where she oversaw the development of housing services line including, Housing Opportunities for People with HIV/AIDS.

One of her greatest accomplishments was working to accredit the organization by both CARF and COA organizations. She has a master's degree in management in nonprofit and public administration from Cambridge College and has more than 15 years of experience in social services under her belt.

Advocates notes Castillo "has a passion for resolving issues surrounding homelessness and affordable housing." While she was The Salvation Army’s state director of social services, she was recognized by the State Housing Trust Fund for the work she and her team did with Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing in implementing the largest-ever housing grant the state of Georgia has ever received in this category.

Castillo served with The Salvation Army from 2009 to 2013 in New York, Boston and Atlanta in various capacities. Shs also received the Dr. Martin Luther King Spirit Award for her work in the greater Boston area. She is a mother of three and enjoys spending time with her children and supporting their sporting, music and school events.

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As Advocates CEO, Castillo will have responsibility for the overall success of the organization, including board development and management, program design and evaluation, evaluating new opportunities for service, strategic and financial planning. She will also be responsible for oversight of buildings, grounds and fundraising, to ensure the organization always has the resources necessary to do the important work of taking care of children and families.

Castillo will take the reins from Patrick Nelson, community redevelopment coordinator with Bartow County and Advocates' interim executive director. Nelson graciously filled the role originally vacated by Karen White while a formal search was conducted for her replacement.

“For more than 30 years, Advocates for Children has worked diligently to provide every child in Bartow County with a safe, stable and supportive environment in which to live, learn and grow,” said Tina Hudson, chair of the Advocates for Children Board of Trustees. “Rachel has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of Georgia’s children. Her expansive knowledge and unique experience in social services will prove instrumental in our efforts to ensure all children are afforded the best possible opportunities for success. I am confident she will carry out our mission on behalf of Bartow’s children and be an effective leader for our organization.”

Photo: Rachel Castillo. Credit: Advocates For Children