Theresa M. Caldwell, MIS, loves combining her skills as a parent, spouse, trainer, public speaker, and author into workshops on the impact of trauma on lifelong wellness and resilience-building. She also serves as the Community Engagement Specialist for the Virginia Department of Health-Crater Health District. In addition, Theresa conducts resilience-building programs with the Washington Metropolitan Area’s Dramatic Solutions (Drama Doctors) team and Selah City Theatre, as well as the Virginia-based Integration Solutions and Love Locked Down Theatre Project. Theresa is also a Certified Group Fitness Instructor and one of the Richmond region’s Sports Backers Fitness Warriors, Certified Trauma Professional, Certified Listening Professional, and a graduate of The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts’ (Washington, DC) Life Stories Institute. She holds a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies degree from Virginia State University, specializing in organizational leadership with a trauma-informed/trauma-responsive focus, and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Theresa is available for trainings in the Crater Health District and Greater Richmond region. She can be contacted at theresa.caldwell@vdh.virginia.gov, and 804-586-1487.

Joseph Feldman, MSSW, LCSW is the Prevention Training Coordinator at Greater Richmond SCAN. He is a doctoral candidate in Urban Education Studies and holds an MS in Social Work and a BA in Psychology. Joseph’s research focuses on the ways that educators conceptualize trauma and the impact this has on their practice. He has presented to local and national audiences about the topic of trauma, which he became interested in due to his experience as a foster and adoptive parent. Joseph has worked in the social services field for over a decade in areas such as residential treatment, service coordination, LGBT services, school-based therapy, and trauma-informed education. You can request an EveryDay Strong training offered by SCAN by completing this form.

Genevieve Lohr, MS, has a BSW with a concentration in Child Welfare from Missouri State University and an MS in Forensic Psychology from Arizona State University. She is currently a social worker at the James House. She previously created the Social Work Program within the Petersburg Police Department. Lohr has used her experience across many disciplines to create the program and relies heavily on the blend of education that was achieved by completing a Forensic Psychology program as a social worker. Previously, Lohr worked as a Developmental Therapist for children between the ages of 0-3; this continues to mold her practice as she uses coaching whenever possible and knows the benefits of coaching to partner with clients to enact positive change. Lohr resides in Petersburg with her children and enjoys crafting and baking with them whenever she can. She can be contacted for an EveryDay Strong training or other EveryDay Strong questions at Genevieve Lohr at genevieve@thejameshouse.org

Amanda Lynch, MA, is an expert in mindfulness, classroom management and trauma-informed practices. She is the author of numerous children’s books on the topic of using mindfulness as a self-regulatory skill for learners and their families. She is passionate about connecting children of color to yoga and mindfulness and in building healthy communities by disrupting historical and racial trauma. As a former RPS parent, teacher, and Behavior Specialist, she recognized early in her career, the healing power of mindfulness. During her decades long tenure in public education, she developed mindful spaces for both staff and students who’d been deeply impacted by toxic stress and community violence. Through her work, she provides professional development for communities and schools throughout the country, that address issues related to poverty, mental health, cultural competency, and addiction. She is a licensed classroom teacher, Registered Yoga Teacher (200 hours), MindUp trainer, Koru Mindfulness teacher, ACE Interface Master Trainer, and Stewards of Children facilitator. She brings both her lived and professional experience to help others understand the impact of trauma on learning and long-term societal outcomes. She currently resides in North Henrico with her children. To schedule a training with Amanda, reach out to her at Amanda.Lynch@vdh.virginia.gov

Leanne Lytle, MA, is an educator, a mom and an advocate for children who cares deeply about engaging in real conversations. Her devotion to person-centered ideals has driven her to work in various roles spanning education, non-profit and faith-based sectors. Her exposure to diverse people and experiences provides real-life grounding for her optimistic yet candid approach to programming, training and leadership in her life and work. Leanne earned her Masters of Education in Child Studies from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University in 2016 and currently serves in the role of Director of Programming & Evaluation at Communities In Schools of Virginia. She strives to be a compassionate and trustworthy colleague, wife, mother, mentor and friend who clumsily yet consistently builds honest and authentic safe spaces wherever she goes using the principles that support all people in becoming EveryDay Strong. Leanne is currently available for training in the Greater Richmond Region, primarily on evenings and weekends. She can be contacted via email at leannelytle@gmail.com or via text/phone at 562-484-4852.

Surprize Parker, MA is a native of Newport News, Virginia and holds a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. Surprize serves as the Trauma-Informed Education Coordinator for Greater Richmond SCAN, where she oversees the Trauma-Informed work in local schools. She has over 16 years of experience providing engagement strategies, training and coaching in the areas of behavior management, parental engagement and education, and trauma informed practices. Surprize has held positions as family advocate, parent liaison and behavior specialist within Henrico County Schools and Richmond Public Schools, respectively. She has an immense passion for serving others and supporting the community. Her fondest times are spent with her husband, Jermaine and her two children Cayden (14) and Cailee (6). 

Candice Shields, MSW, LMSW works part-time as a group facilitator under Greater Richmond SCAN’s family support programs. The program enhances parenting skills, builds social networks, increases knowledge of child development, and makes parents aware of valuable community resources. She is also a full-time social worker for the Care Connection for Children program at VCU, a statewide network of six regional programs that coordinates the health care, community support services and resources to children with special health care needs. Candice previously worked under the Injury and Violence Prevention Programs (IVPP) with VCU.  At IVPP, she provided case management with the Project Empower team, working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Additionally, she held a position of team lead for the IVPP Research Lab, working on research studies such as Preventing Retaliatory Gun Violence in Violently Injured Adults. Lastly, Candice previously served as a foster care social worker at the Richmond City Department of Social Services, keeping families intact and placing children in permanent homes while ensuring their well-being and safety. Candice brings together a wealth of knowledge, from various backgrounds, while understanding that because of trauma any child has the potential to fall through the cracks. She currently resides in Moseley, VA with her two children, husband, and two dogs. You can request an EveryDay Strong training offered by Greater Richmond SCAN by completing this form.

Loretta Simmons-Jackson is a Community Health Worker on the Violence Response Team at Bon Secours Southside Medical Center in Petersburg, Va. Loretta’s recent background is in Certified Peer Recovery lived experience (Parent). She has experience working with the homeless, substance use disorder and Mental Health. Currently in the role as Community Health Worker, Loretta works extensively with victims of violence in the tri-cities community and their families. As a CHW Loretta also focuses on building collaborative partnerships with other local organizations. Please email Loretta to request a training: Loretta_Simmons-Jackson@bshsi.org

Hello, I am Marnae Smith, Community Health Worker with the Bon Secours Violence Response Team, Southside Medical Center in Petersburg. My background is QMHP and individual and family advocacy within the prisons, schools, and community for over 20 years. Helping others is my passion. Making sure those that I come in contact with understand the most difficult situations they are enduring in the moment and learning how to maneuver through that, are one of my greatest assets! I am here to help!!! To request a training, email Marnae Smith at Marnae_Smith@bshsi.org.

Charvalla grew up in the greater Williamsburg area. As a young adult, she embarked on a successful career in sales and marketing leadership. Finding her passion in developing teams and managing performance, she decided to pursue a different career path. After being certified as a life coach, Charvalla completed her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Political Science, graduating summa cum laude.

In 2012, Charvalla began serving as a volunteer and then joined the staff at Avalon Center where her journey in the nonprofit sector began. Having served in various roles, Charvalla is now the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Community Impact at United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, where she leads collaborative, multi-sector efforts to create Pathways out of Poverty.

Charvalla is passionate about bringing our community together to address the vulnerabilities of poverty, and its impact on famlies. Charvalla has managed direct service programs, and lead the launch of United Way’s Community Assistance Network (CAN), the Peninsula’s Advocacy and Referral Service, and the Peninsula Youth Collaborative (PYC), bringing people and organizations together to better serve our children and young adults. She has served in leadership positions with the Greater Virginia Homelessness Consortium (GVPHC); and with the support of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has led the implementation of the Peninsula’s first Eviction Reduction Pilot including an Eviction Court Navigation program. To request a training through United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, please use this form.