Charting New Paths: On the Road Expands to Staunton

Everyone at On the Road is overjoyed  for this new step. “I’m most excited about the opportunity to bring On the Road to a brand-new community and to connect with students who will benefit from the hands-on career exploration, mentoring, and support we provide” says Regional Director Kishia Taylor, who is leading day to day operations at Shelburne this year. “This expansion allows us to continue fulfilling our mission of empowering youth and creating equal access to opportunities.”

Collaboration is integral to On the Road’s mission, and our expansion to Staunton has opened the door for meaningful new relationships. “Every time we open at a new site, a wave of new people find their way to us, and it renews the entire organization with fresh ideas and opportunities,” says Co-CEO Emani Morse. “I am especially excited to be in Staunton because so many people ask me about it, and I can finally say, ‘Yes, and enrollment is open!’ The administration and teachers at Shelburne have been so welcoming and helpful. It already feels like we are part of their school.”

In addition to connecting with the Shelburne family, we are prioritizing building partnerships with the broader Staunton community. “I’m excited about all our new opportunities,” Morse adds.“I am particularly looking forward to collaborating with Gear Up, who will be sharing an office with us at Shelburne Middle School. We have already been making plans to bring enticing family engagement opportunities and dive deeper with our academic support.” While fostering these relationships, we are also looking ahead to how we can best support students from day one.

Our team is setting clear objectives to introduce students to On the Road programming. “Our goal in the first year is to create a strong foundation by building trust with students, families, and school staff while delivering high-quality programming,” says Taylor. “We anticipate this expansion will not only provide more youth with access to opportunities but also strengthen our overall program model as we continue to grow.” Morse echoes this commitment to connection and growth. “For this first year, our main goal is to connect with as many people in the local area as possible,” she says. “I want On the Road Collaborative to be a known resource to the community and create an easy pathway for caring adults to connect with our youth. Doing this will create a strong foundation for us to be in the Staunton area for years to come. Additionally, this expansion will be a great way to strengthen our most successful programs and allow us to introduce new program elements while still fulfilling our core mission.”

Collaboration is a value shared by school leadership in Staunton. Assistant Superintendent Stephanie Haskins sees On the Road’s programming as a natural fit for their community. “We appreciate the collaboration and true partnership with On the Road.” says Haskins. “The team listens to identified school needs, focuses on student achievement with established programs that have proven success, and provides continuous student support through staff directly in the school building for a long-lasting connection.” Through our shared commitment, On the Road and Shelburne Middle School are creating meaningful experiences for our youth.

Haskins also expressed her excitement about the unique opportunities available to students. “We are excited about the career enrichment experiences and related field trips,” she says. “This is a great way to connect academics to future life experiences, bringing meaning to academic learning. We can’t wait to get started and hear from the students about their experiences!”

Looking ahead, Haskins hopes that this partnership will create lasting impact.“Increasing student achievement for all students is a consistent focus in Staunton City Schools and a focus for this partnership.” she explains. “We hope this partnership will help students develop a meaningful connection to school through career development and meaningful outdoor experiences. For both On the Road and Staunton City Schools, the ultimate goal of this partnership is positively impacting students’ connection to school and education.

Together, On The Road staff and Staunton educators are committed to helping students grow in self confidence and establish a sense of direction through after-school programming. We are so excited about this new chapter and the opportunity to support Staunton’s youth both inside and outside of the classroom. Let us know if you’d like to be involved in our work in the Staunton area. We are always looking for volunteers to come alongside our staff and youth!

Email Responses:

What excites you most about expansion On the Road to Staunton City Public Schools?
I am most excited for the energy and connections that expansion brings. Every time we open at a new site, a wave of new people find their way to us, and it renews the entire organization with fresh ideas and opportunities.  I am especially excited to be in Staunton because so many people ask me about it, and I can finally say, “Yes, and enrollment is open!” The administration and teachers at Shelburne have been so welcoming and helpful.  It already feels like we are part of their school.

What partnerships or collaborations are you most looking forward to building in Staunton?
I’m excited about all our new opportunities, as I have spent a lot of time this summer reaching out to local businesses and organizations to explore potential collaborations.  I am particularly excited to collaborate with Gear Up, who will be our office buddies at SMS.  We have already been making plans to bring enticing family engagement opportunities and dive deeper with our academic support.

What goals do you have for the first year of this expansion and how do you anticipate the expansion impacting the overall growth of the program?
For this first year, my main goal is to connect with as many people in the local area as possible.  I want On the Road Collaborative to be a known resource to the community and create an easy pathway for caring adults to connect with our youth. Doing this will create a strong foundation for us to be in the Staunton area for years to come. Additionally, this expansion will be a great way to strengthen our most successful programs and allow us to introduce new program elements while still fulfilling our core mission.

Stephani Haskins:

How do you envision the partnership with On the Road supporting your school’s goals for students?
Our goal is further extending learning for all students at the middle school level.  We appreciate the collaboration and true partnership with On the Road.  The team listens to identified school needs, focuses on student achievement with established programs that have proven success, and provides continuous student support through staff directly in the school building for a long-lasting connection.

What is something that you are excited for the students to have the opportunity to experience this year?
We are excited about the career enrichment experiences and related field trips.  This is a great way to connect academics to future life experiences, bringing meaning to academic learning.  We can’t wait to get started and hear from the students about their experiences! We think they will love being part of this team!

What impact do you hope this partnership will have on the students in your community? What is something you hope will be a result of this partnership?
Increasing student achievement for all students is a consistent focus in Staunton City Schools and a focus for this partnership.  In addition, we hope this partnership will help students develop a meaningful connection to school through career development and meaningful outdoor experiences.  Ultimately, our goal is that this partnership positively impacts students’ affect toward school and education.

Kishia Taylor:

What excites you most about expansion On the Road to Staunton City Public Schools?
I’m most excited about the opportunity to bring On the Road to a brand-new community and to connect with students who will benefit from the hands-on career exploration, mentoring, and support we provide. This expansion allows us to continue fulfilling our mission of empowering youth and creating equal access to opportunities.

What partnerships or collaborations are you most looking forward to building in Staunton?
I’m looking forward to building strong partnerships with Staunton City Public Schools staff and leadership, as well as connecting with local businesses and community organizations. Collaborating with these partners will help us provide meaningful experiences for students both inside and outside the classroom.

What goals do you have for the first year of this expansion and how do you anticipate the expansion impacting the overall growth of the program?
Our goal in the first year is to create a strong foundation by building trust with students, families, and school staff while delivering high-quality programming. We anticipate this expansion will not only provide more youth with access to opportunities but also strengthen our overall program model as we continue to grow.