Our People
Our people share an unending belief in our young people and understand the importance of working together in order to create opportunity that empowers every young person to fulfill their promise.
Meet our Program Leadership Team
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Ms. Deanna Reed, Program DirectorDeanna Reed, a Harrisonburg (VA) native, is a proven leader with experience in leading programs for young people of all ages. Before becoming the On the Road Collaborative Program Director in August 2015, Deanna served as the co-founder and director of Precious Gems Academy, a youth empowerment organization that served 65 ‘at-risk’ youth annually through its network of after school programs in the Harrisonburg City Schools, and created an original summer enrichment program for the Roberta Webb Childcare Center. Beyond her leadership and achievements in serving youth, Deanna has 20 years of experience in retail management and community development work. Deanna is currently the Mayor of Harrisonburg and the Advisor for the Iota Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at James Madison University and holds numerous offices of other local organizations.
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Ms. Emani Morse
Middle School Program Coordinator (THMS)
Emani serves as the Program Coordinator to lead our program at Thomas Harrison Middle School.
She shared the following about why OTRC:
“I am passionate about empowering our community’s youth to recognize their promise. I want to become a dependable and trusted resource for the students. With the organization’s expansion to Thomas Harrison Middle School, I am super excited to dive into the new program and be a part of the incredible atmosphere OTRC has created.”
Middle School Program Coordinator (THMS)
Emani serves as the Program Coordinator to lead our program at Thomas Harrison Middle School.
She shared the following about why OTRC:
“I am passionate about empowering our community’s youth to recognize their promise. I want to become a dependable and trusted resource for the students. With the organization’s expansion to Thomas Harrison Middle School, I am super excited to dive into the new program and be a part of the incredible atmosphere OTRC has created.”
Meet Our AmeriCorps VISTA Members
Mr. Corin Vogel, Fundraising Service Member
Bio: Corin is a recent graduate of Harrisonburg High School. He’s taking a year off of education to be an Americorps VISTA at OTRC, where he looks forward to helping raise funds to drive On the Road’s mission and drinking free coffee!
On why he believes in our mission: "Attending Harrisonburg High School, I had heard the words “On the Road Collaborative” but never really knew what it meant. As I’ve learned about OTRC, I’ve realized that it meets a need that isn’t addressed by other institutions or organizations. I think we all should strive to give every student the opportunity to succeed, and On the Road’s approach of directly providing the tools and support to do so for those who do not otherwise have access to them is an incredible and effective way to achieve such a goal."
Bio: Corin is a recent graduate of Harrisonburg High School. He’s taking a year off of education to be an Americorps VISTA at OTRC, where he looks forward to helping raise funds to drive On the Road’s mission and drinking free coffee!
On why he believes in our mission: "Attending Harrisonburg High School, I had heard the words “On the Road Collaborative” but never really knew what it meant. As I’ve learned about OTRC, I’ve realized that it meets a need that isn’t addressed by other institutions or organizations. I think we all should strive to give every student the opportunity to succeed, and On the Road’s approach of directly providing the tools and support to do so for those who do not otherwise have access to them is an incredible and effective way to achieve such a goal."
Ms. Lala Dark, Volunteer Coordinator
Bio: Lala, a recent graduate of THE James Madison University, serves as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with OTRC as their Volunteer Coordinator. In this role, Lala is recruiting STEM professionals from the community to get involved and share their expertise with our middle and high school students. Following her AmeriCorps service year, Lala plans to pursue a master’s degree in Business in the Fall of 2019.
On why she believes in our mission: "Coming from a low-income household and community, I believe that OTRC is a safe haven for the young students of Harrisonburg. As the mission statement seeks to empower the youth, I too share and embody this philosophy in everyday life. I am passionate and adamant about setting the foundation to lead others in the path of their future whether it be higher education or career & practice. Working with OTRC, I know that I can make a difference in the lives of those I serve and provide the resources to keep the students on the road to success."
Bio: Lala, a recent graduate of THE James Madison University, serves as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with OTRC as their Volunteer Coordinator. In this role, Lala is recruiting STEM professionals from the community to get involved and share their expertise with our middle and high school students. Following her AmeriCorps service year, Lala plans to pursue a master’s degree in Business in the Fall of 2019.
On why she believes in our mission: "Coming from a low-income household and community, I believe that OTRC is a safe haven for the young students of Harrisonburg. As the mission statement seeks to empower the youth, I too share and embody this philosophy in everyday life. I am passionate and adamant about setting the foundation to lead others in the path of their future whether it be higher education or career & practice. Working with OTRC, I know that I can make a difference in the lives of those I serve and provide the resources to keep the students on the road to success."
Meet Our Interns
Mr. Ty McReynolds
Program and Non-Profit Intern
Bio: Ty is currently studying Philosophy and Religion with a minor in nonprofit studies at JMU. He is originally from Augusta County, but considers Harrisonburg to be home. Ty has much experience working with youth and is passionate about providing them with the resources to be successful in life. After college, Ty plans to work with a youth-focused nonprofit organization.
Why On the Road?: Through my studies of religion and culture at JMU, I have begun to realize that people come from all sorts of backgrounds and settings. Some settings are more fortunate than others, but access to educational resources and caring adults should be a guarantee for every child. Students should not be defined by their settings but should be equally given support and the ability to learn and decide for themselves what their path in life should be. On the Road Collaborative does an excellent job of bridging the gap of underserved youth and building relationships with them by meeting them where they are.
Program and Non-Profit Intern
Bio: Ty is currently studying Philosophy and Religion with a minor in nonprofit studies at JMU. He is originally from Augusta County, but considers Harrisonburg to be home. Ty has much experience working with youth and is passionate about providing them with the resources to be successful in life. After college, Ty plans to work with a youth-focused nonprofit organization.
Why On the Road?: Through my studies of religion and culture at JMU, I have begun to realize that people come from all sorts of backgrounds and settings. Some settings are more fortunate than others, but access to educational resources and caring adults should be a guarantee for every child. Students should not be defined by their settings but should be equally given support and the ability to learn and decide for themselves what their path in life should be. On the Road Collaborative does an excellent job of bridging the gap of underserved youth and building relationships with them by meeting them where they are.
