Our Mission

The ActZ of the Apple is a community based non-profit resource center, which works throughout the year to provide support to meet the needs of those in our community. We offer a multitude of services to help individuals who are facing adversities. Our mission honors diversity, dignity, and participation when helping those in need.

 

Value

Through long term, and continuous strategic planning we are always committed to locating new opportunities and innovative ways to helping those in need. The values that guide our service delivery to the community, also guide our internal and external staff. The ActZ of the Apple regard the gifts of food, clothing, money, and time that we receive from others, as a sacred trust to be administered for the most effective relief possible.

 

We are a fiscally responsible organization and the need to continue servicing people, who may be experiencing life issues has become extremely high. Currently our society is experiencing economic stressors and a worldwide pandemic. We are committed to provide quality services whether on site or through our mobile outreach, to those who are in severe need.

 

Who we serve

The ActZ of the Apple is a 501 (c)(3) and donors can deduct contributions they make to our organization under the IRC Section 170.  This is what allows us to have our great program, providing direct assistance in the form of hot meals, nutritious snacks, clothes and emergency referrals to low-income adults, seniors, and children in our community.

 

Board of Directors

 

Beverley D. Gray -Director/CEO

Apostle, Dr. Beverley D Gray was called into ministry in 1993, and in 2002, she moved to Rutherford County, and founded The Apple of His Eye Apostolic Ministries, Inc.  The vision of the Apple of His Eye Apostolic Ministries, Inc. is based on Ephesians 4:12, “We are perfecting this vision through feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and empowering those who have no hope …”

The church which started out in a living room of a small home, has now produced a growing ministry of providing food, shelter, clothing, counseling a vast of other resources for the community. Apostle, Dr. Beverley D Gray moved to Greensboro, NC in 2008 continuing her purpose through training, teaching, performing pastoral services and duties. Dr. Gray holds three (3) Master’s Degrees in Divinity, Christian Education and Counseling. Dr. Gray also has a Doctorate in Counseling.

Founding the nonprofit, The ActZ of the Apple allows Dr. Gray to landscape a path in the community of meeting God’s people where they are physically, emotionally, and spiritually and assisting them to walk in their purpose towards resiliency.

 

Ashlee Adams -President

Ms. Adams is a Lead Pre-School teacher at a private academy in our community. Ms. Adams always advocate the value of early literacy and the importance of reading. Ashlee Adams holds an Associate Degree in Early Education from Stanley Community College as well as a Psychology from Degree from UNC-Greensboro.  Ashlee Adams has worked in the education professionalism for 14 years.  Ashlee is currently the Minister of the Children’s Youth Program at the Apple of His Eye Apostolic Ministries, Inc. and with her passion and creativity Ashlee has also implemented the following programs to assist with ministry, education, and tutorial in the community.  The Apple Youth Choir (2016), The Apple of His Eye After School Program (2018), and The Chosen Generation (2020) which is a youth group that encompass tutorial and Bible lessons.

Ashlee enjoys teaching all ages, as she follows pedagogies and learning styles that has helped children and adults with achieving their goals. Her dedication towards education shows how passionate she is about providing quality instruction for the next generation. The ActZ of the Apple is appreciative to have a teacher like Ashlee, who understand  those less fortunate, their unique needs and circumstances and are able to extend extra support to help them succeed academically.

 

Curtis Lilly- Vice President

Curtis is utilizing his foresight with the mission of helping people in rural areas, people with food insecurities, and helping to implement processes and action plans to help underprivileged people of all ethnicity groups in North Carolina. Curtis’ passions stem from his early childhood in Spindale, NC., one of the many rural communities in North Carolina.

Curtis Lilly holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Appalachian State University, a Master of Business Degree from the University of Phoenix, and an Internet Marketing Master of Science Degree from Full Sail University. Curtis worked at Duke Hospital for 13 years and at Duke Regional for five years. Curtis is currently the Director of Dining and Nutrition at MU Health Care located in Columbia Missouri. He is also the President of W.I.N.E. Psi Phi Social Fraternity Inc., Chair of the African Heritage Resource Group, and member of the Minority Men’s Network based in Columbia MO.

 

Johanna Kroth-Secretary

Johanna Marie Kroth is originally from NY State, and  after graduating from the State University of NY with a BA in Sociology, Ms. Kroth decided to  move to Stanly County, North Carolina.  She began working as a Job Coach, supporting individuals with disabilities to obtain competitive employment and learn the skills necessary to successfully be employed.   She then obtained her Master of Education in Rehabilitation Counseling Degree from the University of Georgia in 1997.

Ms. Kroth has worked in a variety of different roles in the Human Services field for 2 different NC service providers until 2014.  She then started working for an Electronic Health Records Software Company and currently trains Human Service Providers and Special Educators worldwide on how to set up, implement, and use their accounts to securely document the services they provide. .

Ms. Kroth has advocated for and worked with adults, children, and families receiving Intellectual Disability, Mental Health, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Educational Services to move towards accomplishing their goals and dreams for over  30 years.  She believes that everyone has their own unique gifts and talents that were meant to be shared, and that each of us can help play a part in building inclusive communities where people can help lift each other up and make this world a better place in the process.

 

Dee Fulton – Treasurer

Dee Fulton is an enthusiastic advocate for social issues in our community. This passion for helping others comes from an early foundation of love, received from a foster home placement at the age of ten. Ms. Fulton started advocating with the Guilford County Guardian ad Litem program in 2006. This position allowed her to witness firsthand the many issues that affected our community.   Dee Fulton became a member of The Apple of His Eye Apostolic Ministries in 2017, and as soon as she joined, she was given the opportunity to assist with the outreach ministry, which in turn became the non-profit side of the ministry, now called The ActZ of the Apple.

This position has allowed Dee Fulton to assist with the development of community programs, including budgeting strategies, to ensure compliancy with the regulation of state, federal and governmental guidelines. Dee Fulton’s commitment to detail, organizational skills and integrity has allowed her to be a stewardship in managing the funds for the nonprofit programs.  Dee Fulton has an Associate Degree in Human Service Technology with a focus in Substance Abuse from Guilford Technical Community College, as well as a BSW degree from UNC-Greensboro.  Dee Fulton also holds a master’s degree in clinical social work. Dee Fulton is currently a business consultant, who assist organizations in analyzing their business by identifying, teaching, and initiating change for success.

 

Antoine Lilly- Financial Consultant

Antoine Lilly is the Financial Consultant for the ActZ of the Apple. D. Antoine Lilly earned his BSBA in Computer Information Systems from Appalachian State University in 2000. He later attended NC Agricultural and Technical State University, where he earned his Master of Science in Management Information Systems.

Mr. Lilly spent five years teaching high school in the Durham and Mecklenburg County School systems, where he also coached football, wrestling and track and field.  Mr. Lilly is a 22-year member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, where he holds a Life Membership, and a member of the NC Prince Hall Freemasons and Prince Hall Shriners (A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc.), where he serves in local, State and National leadership roles and has received several awards for his dedication and commitment to the organization.