Celebrating a Decade of Impact: A Conversation with the Founding Group of On the Road
As we mark the 10-year anniversary of On the Road Collaborative, we’ve been reflecting on the incredible journey that has led us here, the relationships we’ve fostered along the way, and the profound impact our mission has had on our community.
To help us tell this story, we brought together a group of individuals who have been with us since before On the Road even had a name: Diane Foucar-Szocki, who spearheaded afterschool programming in our area; Rick Castaneda and Todd Gardner, who served as Community Teachers and Board Members for many years; Kristi Van Sickle, who created Emerging Chefs and now serves as our current Director of Programs and Talent Development; Deanna Reed, former Director of Community and School Partnerships; and Brent Holsinger, our founder and current Board Chairman.
Together, this group gathered to share memories (and laughs) that took us on a journey throughout the years—from the very first decision to turn a closed door into a new chapter and what they hope for the future of On the Road.
Building a Strong Foundation
The story of On the Road Collaborative began with a simple yet powerful vision: to create programming that would support and uplift the youth in our community, particularly those who might otherwise be overlooked.
The story began, though, before On the Road was even a thought. Afterschool programming was already running in the area thanks to Diane’s grant-writing efforts–which brought funding into the community starting in the early 2000s–and a group of passionate individuals who had formed partnerships with local schools to make these afterschool activities a reality.
But in 2010, that local group agreed that they needed to hire someone to spearhead the next chapter. And this is where Brent entered the picture when he was hired as the first Afterschool Program Director in Harrisonburg City Public Schools. Under Brent’s leadership, he helped to shape and expand the programs supported by 21st Century grants, which collectively became known as Beyond the Bell.
Diane said Beyond the Bell “built an identity and a sensibility and more purpose-driven activity” behind their afterschool offerings. But after only three years, the team found out that the funding wasn’t going to be renewed.
And so they were faced with a decision: figure out the next step forward or walk away.
And walking away was never really an option.
“We knew we had this program—with an important mission of impacting young people in our community—and that the schools and community needed it. So, we had to do something,” Brent said.
“We were more than just an after-school program,” Deanna added. “Our families really counted on us and we were truly more to them than just a place for their child to go for two hours after school because we showed up to everything. We were there and focused on building those strong relationships and providing those opportunities that these kids were not getting anywhere else–that was our uniqueness.”
Rick agreed: “This program really understood children as part of a bigger system—their family systems and school systems—and understanding and incorporating that became a strength of our approach.”
The foundational team—centered around this core group—took a year off of programming to form a nonprofit and began raising the funds they needed to continue showing up for the youth in our community,
From raising the initial $50,000 to hiring Deanna as the founding program director, to launching the very first program as On the Road at Skyline Middle, every milestone has been achieved by a shared conviction: one step at a time.
“It really was like a startup – a grassroots effort to figure out how to get the programming back into the schools,” Brent said. “It’s been a tried-and-true strategy for us, to not get ahead of ourselves, but to focus on the next goal in front of us.”
This approach has allowed our mission to grow steadily and sustainably, ensuring that each new initiative we take on is built on a solid foundation.
Staying True to Our Values
For Kristi, On the Road’s foundation came down to two things: youth empowerment and youth voice.
“It was always about those two big things: How do we provide a space where there’s a lot of support, where our youth can build up different skills to then utilize their voice and really see a vision of the future for themselves,” Kristi said.
The early years were marked by a series of strategic decisions that were founded in strengthening those two components–with the first big decision being an intentional focus on middle school students. We recognized that this age group was often neglected, with no programming designed specifically for them and their needs.
“We knew that if our kids are not engaged in grade six through eight, then you lose them when they get to high school,” Deanna emphasized.
We also understood that these were the ages where those youth who were experiencing a learning gap started to really struggle without additional time for academic practice, more connection to adult mentors, and more access to additional learning experiences outside of school hours.
When we launched in the middle schools, we were intentional about focusing on creating a welcoming and inclusive space, building trusting relationships with our youth, and offering opportunities to help each youth find their voice and make decisions for their future.
But once they were graduating from our 8th Grade Academy, we had another choice: How do we continue to walk alongside the youth we serve?
“I always told them, you’re going to leave me before I leave you,” Deanna said. “The whole thing was always that we would follow them, so supporting them as they went throughout high school was a natural progression.”
Diane said that this commitment–maintaining those connections and relationships as our youth continued to grow and explore further–struck her as a core value at work.
“Having that reliability, assurance and care and this idea that we weren’t going to leave them – it’s a beautiful example of our values guiding our decision-making,” Diane said. “We started just thinking about ourselves as a middle school program. But then we have these relationships with the kids and it’s like, of course we’re going to go to high school with them.”
With this expansion, we added high school programming, additional career enrichment courses, and college visits along the east coast to help our youth explore post-graduation options–all with the goal that at the end of their high-school career, our youth feel empowered to make their own decisions and go after their biggest goals.
With each next step thoughtfully and intentionally taken, we could measure the impact, iterate, and then plan the next chapter, like expanding into Waynesboro–first in the middle school, then into the high school.
Brent said this approach is a core tenet of On the Road and how we’ve always operated: “Focus on one thing, do it well, and then build from there.”
Meeting the Youth Where They Are
Despite our continued focus on our core mission and guiding values, a number of challenges have thrown a few unexpected chapters into our story.
The first being a worldwide pandemic that closed all local schools, essentially halting programming overnight.
“When that happened, we had to figure out how to still connect and reach our youth, who, at that time, were feeling super isolated and had a lot of mental health struggles,” Kristi remembered. “We had to quickly figure out how to serve them and keep them engaged while they were at home, but also adapt to make space for those current needs, including creating space for them to talk about anxiety and depression.”
Several of the team members noted that those different social and emotional needs continued once programming was back on school grounds, so we collectively shifted our approach and adapted, always in an effort to meet the youth where they are.
Deanna said that from her point of view, we’re constantly changing because of the holistic view we take. “Knowing that our families rely on us, we do whatever we need to do to get them to where they need to go.” This underpins all of our decisions, including our commitment to providing transportation or offering tailored programs that create space for mental health discussions.
Diane agreed: “On the Road has remained committed to the development of youth, the establishment of lifelong relationships and friendships and skills and capacities, and engendering creativity and curiosity. So when kids and families need change, we change because that’s what we’re here for.”
After eight years of running On the Road together, we also experienced a change in leadership, with Brent and Deanna pursuing new opportunities and transitioning out of their roles.
It’s not unheard of for this kind of change to negatively impact an organization, but the team felt that the right foundation had been built to allow new leaders to take the reins.
“When Brent told us he was leaving right after Deanna had just left, he said to me: On the Road is bigger than any one individual. If we’ve done it right as an organization, leaders can move on and the organization continues,” Todd recalled. “That really stuck with me. Brent and Deanna set it up where they were able to make that transition and for us to be here, celebrating ten years and be stronger than ever serving the community, it’s awesome to think about.”
Brent said hiring Emani Morse and Russell Leary as Co-CEOs made sense for On the Road because it honored the collaborative leadership model he and Deanna first adopted. And as we reflect on where we are and where we’re going, everyone agreed that the new leaders are carrying us into a bright future.
“A year and a half after the transition and On the Road still feels like On the Road,” Brent said. “We’re still doing all the work, never skipping a beat. We added Waynesboro High School and it’s continued on. We have stayed true to who we are, to our values.”
Deanna agreed: “I think they are leading in a way that I think we can be proud of.”
As we look ahead to what comes next for On the Road, taking a moment to honor where we’ve been–especially considering that our story began because a door was slammed shut.
“The great gift was that, in the beginning, we got told no, and we didn’t take no for an answer,” Diane said. “That allowed us the flexibility to build our own path, which has allowed us to be this responsible, reflective, resilient organization with a unique model built on the right values.”
“I’d love to see this kind of program—the community-teacher model, the ‘I’ll leave you before you leave me’ approach—anchored in every community.”
A Heartfelt Thank You
This anniversary is a testament to the hard work, passion, and dedication of everyone involved with On the Road Collaborative. From the founders to the current leadership, staff, volunteers, and supporters, each person has played a crucial role in making this vision a reality. As we celebrate 10 years of impact, we look forward to many more years of empowering young people and building a stronger, more equitable community.
“On the Road was a vision that existed in many people for a long time in this community,” Rick said. “Many of those people came together to contribute to that vision and those who came along later, the vision was shared so well that everyone who received that vision came to a point where they thought they had that vision all along and in some form, they probably did.”
Looking ahead, the current leadership is committed to carrying that vision forward.
“I hope On the Road continues to grow as a space of opportunity and belonging for young people,” Emani said. “The impact we’ve made is measured not just in numbers but in the stories of youth who have found their purpose and promise through our programs. I’d love to see us expand our reach, deepen our partnerships, and continue empowering youth to shape their futures in ways that matter to them.”
Russell agreed: “More than anything, I want more youth to have access to high quality out of school time programs – they are so essential to empowering the next generation. Our youth are desperate for connection and inspiration. On the Road has always believed that a major value of our work is creating opportunities for community members to pour into young lives. Taking an hour out of your week to spend time as a tutor, coach, course instructor, or mentor can make a massive difference in the life of a young person.”
Emani said she witnesses this truth everyday in the depth of relationships we’ve built over the years. “Seeing youth grow into leaders, alumni return as mentors, and the community of people who rally behind this work is amazing,” she said. “On the Road has served as a place of connection, enrichment, and empowerment for the youth as it was intended, and now we see that it also greatly impacts the adults who choose to get involved through volunteering or working with us.”
Rick, who began as a Community Teacher, said he couldn’t agree more: “There are a lot of things I’m proud of here in this community and being a part of On the Road’s story is at the top of my list.”
As we celebrate this milestone, we remain dedicated to continuing the essential work we do while looking for additional opportunities to continue supporting our families and youth in new ways. And we hope you’ll join us in making it a reality.
With your support, we can make sure that all youth are on the road to realizing their promise.
“Our commitment to equity, youth empowerment, and community remains at the heart of everything we do,” Brent said.
“The world needs On the Road and everything we represent and who we are, and I’d love to be here in 10 years talking about all the ways we’ve continued to expand while remaining true to who we are.”
Join Us to Celebrate 10 Years of Youth Empowerment in Our Community
On the Road is hosting a one-of-a-kind party on February 22nd, 2025 at Frieden Farms to celebrate 10 years of impact! Grab your sneakers and join us for fun, games, and so much more!
Learn more about the event and grab your tickets in the link below.