franchesca hayward: counseling and support coordinator

franchesca@urbanpromisecharlotte.org

Empathetic Listener. Lover of Laughter.

Franchesca is a Christian counselor and compassionate advocate who serves as Counseling and Support Coordinator across the North and East Sites. She holds a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and spent two years in private practice working with adolescents and adults before joining the UrbanPromise team. Her path to counseling was anything but straight: she studied Animal Science at Clemson University with plans to become a veterinarian, before spending two years doing college ministry in the Dominican Republic — where she discovered that her true calling was caring for people. That realization sent her back to school and into a career built around breaking the stigma around counseling and creating spaces where everyone feels comfortable, safe, and seen.

A Charlotte native who grew up in Charleston, Franchesca spent six years serving in various ministries in Charlotte before pursuing her graduate degree. Outside of UrbanPromise, you'll find her exercising, crafting, traveling, or exploring new coffee shops, restaurants, and hobbies with friends.

Quick Stats:

  • Hometown: Charlotte, NC

  • Passion Points: Destigmatizing counseling, holistic youth well-being, and creating spaces where people feel safe and seen

  • Ask her about: Christian counseling, life in the Dominican Republic, or her latest hobby discovery

  • Superpower: Making the counseling room a place where teens actually want to show up

"To be a part of a team supporting a teen's social, emotional, academic, and personal well-being — that is an honor."