Partners in Learning to host “Partners Uplifts & Unites Breakfast” focused on caregiver mental health, workforce well-being
Published 2:00 am Sunday, June 7, 2026
SALISBURY — Partners in Learning will host its inaugural Partners Uplifts & Unites Breakfast on Wednesday, June 10, bringing together business leaders, human resource professionals, community partners and advocates to address a growing issue impacting families, workplaces and communities — caregiver mental health.
The event will take place at Partners in Learning, located at 1775 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue South in Salisbury. Breakfast will be served beginning at 8:30 a.m., followed by a program from 9 to 10 a.m.
Featured speaker Carolyn Dowdy, president and founder of Caregiver Mental Wellness, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting caregivers through awareness, education and advocacy initiatives designed to prevent burnout and promote mental well-being, will share insights on the challenges facing today’s caregivers and the far-reaching effects of caregiver burnout on workforce participation, employee well-being, family stability and community health. Dowdy brings extensive professional and personal experience to the conversation, including a career in human resources and training, years of caregiving experience, and research focused on the impact of caregiving on families, businesses, and the economy.
“Parents and caregivers are the backbone of our communities,” said Dowdy. “When caregivers thrive, families thrive, businesses thrive and communities thrive.”
According to Caregiver Mental Wellness, nearly 70 percent of caregivers are employed, yet many struggle to balance work responsibilities with the emotional, physical and financial demands of caregiving. As employers across the country seek ways to support employee well-being and retention, caregiver mental health has emerged as an important workforce issue.
“For nearly 30 years, Partners In Learning has worked alongside children and families, and one thing has become increasingly clear: when caregivers struggle, everyone feels the impact,” said Norma Honeycutt, executive director of Partners in Learning. “Caregiver mental health is not just a family issue, it is a workforce issue, a business issue and a community issue. Our Partners Uplifts & Unites Breakfast will bring together leaders who care about creating stronger workplaces and stronger communities. We hope this event inspires meaningful partnerships and practical solutions that help caregivers thrive, because when caregivers are supported, children, families, businesses and communities thrive as well.”
Attendees will learn about the growing impact of caregiver mental health, discover practical ways businesses can better support employees with caregiving responsibilities, explore community partnerships that promote workforce stability, and connect with local leaders committed to strengthening support systems for families.
The event reflects Partners in Learning’s broader mission of supporting children and families through innovative programs, collaborative partnerships, and community-based solutions, noted a release that added, “As the organization celebrates its 30th anniversary, the breakfast serves as an opportunity to convene stakeholders around an issue that affects every sector of the community.”
The Partners Uplifts & Unites Breakfast is open to business leaders, HR professionals, community partners, and anyone interested in building healthier workplaces and stronger communities.
For more information or to reserve a seat, contact Partners in Learning at 704-638-9020 or email katelin@epartnersinlearning.org