Crystal Jones

Crystal’s work has always been rooted in a deep belief that every child deserves safety, stability, and the chance to heal. As Grants & Outcomes Manager at the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau, she channels that conviction into securing resources, measuring real impact, and strengthening programs that meet young people where they are—after school, during the summer, and throughout the most formative years of their lives.

Before joining BGCP, Crystal served as Executive Director of AWAKE Children’s Advocacy Center in Sylva. There, she led the organization through a period of significant growth, expanding the annual budget from $271,000 to $1.13 million through intentional grant writing and partnerships with funders including ARP, the Duke Endowment, VOCA, and various foundations. More importantly, she helped build a stronger, more coordinated system of care for children who had experienced trauma—working alongside law enforcement, child protective services, medical providers, and families to reduce further harm and support healing.

Her path to this work has been shaped by years of service in law enforcement and the military, experiences that gave her a frontline understanding of the challenges facing children and families in rural Western North Carolina. Those years also deepened her commitment to prevention, early intervention, and creating places where young people feel seen, valued, and protected.

Crystal is currently pursuing her PhD in Public Administration at Liberty University, focusing her research on collaborative approaches that better support children and youth. She brings both strategic skill and genuine heart to her role at BGCP, driven by the conviction that when we invest in kids, we strengthen entire communities.

At the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau, Crystal is proud to help ensure that every child who walks through the doors finds not only a safe place to land, but a community that believes in their future.