we know...
reaching out takes strength you may not feel like you have. We also know you’re braver than you think.
It was 2020 when a generous donation came in with a directive: make mental health a priority in the New Albany community.
Sarah Hale Underhill and a handful of community members heard the call. Sarah founded Wellbeing Connection because she believed in the power of connecting people to resources that help them thrive, not just survive. And because, for Sarah, it was a chance to look deeply at her own lifelong journey with mental illness and addiction.
It’s our own personal struggles that keep each of us 100% dedicated to supporting you, even on your toughest days.
the connectors
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Sarah Underhill (she/her)
Founder
Motivated by her late father’s philanthropic work, Sarah embraced the chance to build the organization she’d always needed. Her passion for creating a community-wide safe space for sharing has grown with each brave, personal story she hears from others. Sarah works to create a network of organizations, care providers and partners to support us all.
Sharon Fancher (she/her)
Interim Executive Director
Sharon believes that we draw strength from one another and through access to resources, so when she moved to New Albany in 2018, she partnered with the schools to start the Mothers of Teenagers (MOTs) group. As a grounding force on the board, Sharon is a facilitator of WBC initiatives and manages our social media. With a master’s degree in counseling psychology, Sharon’s mission is to remove the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Amy Barnes, Ed.D. (she/her)
Board President
Amy’s mission to help lessen the depression and anxiety she saw in her OSU students drew her to WBC’s mission to support those with mental illness. Her leadership comes after years as a long-time volunteer with New Albany schools where her husband teaches, and her son and daughter are students. As Board President, Amy brings her specialties in organizational leadership, strategic planning, diversity and inclusion and much more to our community.
Christy Arenshield (she/her)
Treasurer
As a 20 year resident of New Albany and a past board member of The McCoy Center for the Arts, New Albany Women’s Network, Eagle Backers and New Albany For Kids, Christy’s passion is for fostering community connections. She and her husband George have enjoyed raising three New Albany Plain Local Schools K-12 “lifers” here. We put her type A personality to use as treasurer.
Jack Caudill (he/him)
Secretary
A personal passion to help others with their mental health makes Jack the perfect fit as a WBC intern. Ask his friends, and they’ll tell you he’s a good listener and great problem-solver. As a senior seminar intern, Jack used these talents—and more—to amplify the voices of teens who struggle with their mental health as he does. Once Jack turned 18, we asked him to join our board so we have a teen's perspective on our board.
