REACHER RESIDENCY CLASS OF 2023 
Jason Melendez speaks about his experience after learning about ACEs through the REACHER Residency.

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REACH WITH US

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13 REACHERS - 10 STATES : START THE CONVERSATION

ACEs Matter is proud to be associated with a core group of childhood abuse survivors that are using their platforms to educate others about ACEs. 
We are a group of adults who experienced childhood adversity and we believe that sharing our stories and issues will help raise awareness and inspire a global movement to eliminate adverse childhood experiences, ACEs. 

Collectively, we have abandoned our individual agendas in favor of a collective approach to improving the REACH to marginalized communities, businesses, schools, and homes. 

REACHER is a noun & an acronym that describes a person who is willing to reach out to others in order to help them Realize Emotions And Challenges Help Encourage Resilience.

REACHERs are a part of a critical thinking community of childhood trauma survivors who are inspiring generational change. Through a Residency program, REACHERs become certified trauma informed community influencers that know the impact of ACES on their lives and others. 

The Residency is designed to teach REACHERs how to effectively communicate the science of positive and adverse childhood experiences. 

​Applications to become a REACHER are ongoing, so if you think you have what it takes to REACH others, please consider applying today!

By 2030, we'd like to have at least 1 REACHER representing each state!  

​The person with the microphone influences the conversation.

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REACHER Residency
​Class of 2023

Clarence Bumpas 
Colorado

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Born in Southeast Colorado Springs, Colorado, Clarence earned a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Human Services from the University of Northern Colorado. In college Clarence was a member of the football team as a 2x All-American, Ray Buchannon Award candidate, 1st and 2nd team All- Conference, and Humanitarian of the year award(2011). Clarence spent his free time public speaking to transition age youth, coaching and mentoring at the Boys and Girls Club, and community outreach in elementary schools and youth centers in Greeley, Colorado. From 2016 to 2018 Clarence worked in C. Springs school districts 2 and 11 as a Behavior Interventionist and Paraprofessional and a Counselor and Student Advocate. Following the pursuit of an Addiction Counselors and Registered Psychotherapist Certifications, further pursuit applying to graduate school to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. In 2019 Clarence was accepted into Colorado Christian’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program. In January of 2020 Clarence was selected for a fellowship by the NBCC(National Board of Certified Counselors) and NAADAC(National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor) as a Minority Addictions Counselor Fellow. Clarence is currently working at the Life Stance Health & The Therapist of Color Collaboration serving in the role of clinical therapist following completion of his M.A in December 2021. He is also working with the Children’s Hospital of Colorado & a local non-profit focusing on transition-age student athletes & youth mental health and total wellness. Clarence is also working to establish a collective group of professionals in conjunction with other local organizations to promote Mental Health Awareness in under-served and minority populations. With the aspirations of raising awareness as well as providing low to no cost Mental Health service to the Southeast and greater Pikes Peak Region and El Paso County.

Caleb Hylton
​Florida

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Caleb Hylton is a visionary whose personal life’s mission is “To be an open-minded and genuine individual who strives to (help others) become the best possible versions of themselves through passion and understanding of self. Founder of XponentialCZN, a FinTech company which empowers neglected communities with the foundation, education and sustentation to break generational curses.

Shequila Roberts
Florida

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Shequila Roberts is the founder of Determine Now and is a certified Life Coach that specializes in emotional intelligence. Shequila has been offering services to an experienced Meditation Coach since 2012, and has made it her mission to guide those that seek to enter the doorway to deeper insight by applying meditation to their daily practices. Her catchphrase “Come meditate with SHE!” Shequila has one goal in mind and that is to guide those who seek to strengthen their minds and emotions to live a life of purpose and well-being through meditation.  Whether you are experiencing pain, stress, anxiety, or simply want to improve your emotional, spiritual, and/or mental state, SHE is able to assist you in becoming the best version of YOU! I welcome and present to you our speaker for today Shequila Roberts, to take us to an emotional place for setting goals for the future!For ages 4-92 years old.​

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Saundra Golden
Georgia 

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Saundra J Golden has been a nurse for over 25 years spending much of her career in home care. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Mobile College with a minor in Psychology, later becoming a Legal Nurse Consultant. She has received numerous awards throughout her career. Two that are dear to her is the “The Big Heart Award” and “Team Mom” award. Saundra has endured much hardship and struggle, but through it all she is resilient and has dedicated her life to helping others. She is the author of “Make It Stop! A Young Woman’s Guide to Overcome and Prevent Dating Abuse.” Saundra’s mission is to provide education to teach parents to effectively communicate to their daughter, building a bond where it enables them to have those much needed difficult conversations to build healthy relationships. This is the first step she believes in preventing abuse.

Saundra lives in McDonough, GA with her husband and has 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren.​

Kesha Mason Campbell
Virginia

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Kesha  Mason Campbell is an Author, Consultant, Speaker, Coach and The Freedom Fixer.  As The Freedom Fixer she teaches women that No is a complete sentence, while showing them how to set healthy boundaries, and how to prioritizing their needs above the needs of their loved ones.  

She has leveraged her education and expertise in finance, information technology, and training development to accelerate the productivity of corporate financial institutions for nearly 20 years.   

As the oldest and only girl among six brothers, she has had her share of journeys to take.  With two of her brothers incarcerated with a combined total of 20 years, Kesha has had to endure many difficult circumstances.  She learned very early in life not to mix business and her personal life. She found that this principle is a learned behavior, which can be unhealthy in some instances. In addition to compartmentalizing everything Kesha had to learn to set boundaries.  Setting boundaries made it possible to manage all things in her life. 

During the time both her brothers were incarcerated she earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Las Vegas Nevada (UNLV) in Interdisciplinary Studies.  While in college she worked full time and advanced her career in the financial industry all while taking care of them.  They never wanted or needed anything while they were in prison.  

Kesha documents her healthy boundary-setting journey in “Not Your Journey To Take”. The book explores her personal experience identifying the difference between responsibility and lack of boundaries as the oldest of six siblings, the primary support system for her mother, with two of her brothers incarcerated. “Not Your Journey To Take” is one of its kind focusing on the experience of the caretaker and offering effective tools to support your loved ones and confidently prioritize your needs without guilt or regret.

Kesha currently lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia as the eldest of six brothers and with no children of her own she has 13 nieces and nephews.

LaQueena Carrington
Texas

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My current role is I AM AN Alchemist! Not just by what Webster Dictionary defines it as but in the very natural meaning of the word itself. It means one WHO practices Alchemy! For me practice makes perfect. Again not in the sense of “perfect” most defined as such.An Alchemist is by definition “a person who transforms or creates something through a seemingly magical process.” Throughout life I have practiced alchemy without even knowing it. But I always say I CAN DO MAGIC. Leading me to believe in the power of the senses to my ultimate goal; to always walk with purpose. I’m a mother of 7 so I was blessed to find my purpose early. I wanted to teach, but I was told “those who can teach, those who can do.” To me that meant I wouldn’t become just a teacher, but my purpose would bring me to more than one occupation. I’m my children’s first everything: from teacher to doctor to referee to best friend and other titles. This further piqued my interest in how to change the narrative in how I was raised, my grandparents, my parents, and my neighbors. By changing everything that I thought was negative or adversity, I switched it around with my kids. I learned from other parents, teachers, books, doctors, and  even television. All the parenting examples I’ve seen or thought to be of quality and effective, I implemented those in my parenting and everyday life.

Ronisha Johnson
Louisiana 

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Ronisha Johnson is a social worker and life-long learner who has a passion for helping children and families be their fullest selves. Born in Denver, Colorado, Ronisha was a substance exposed newborn, who was determined to beat the odds despite the challenges she faced in her life including being in foster care, experiencing homelessness, and being a child sexual abuse survivor. Ronisha grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is a proud graduate of HBCU powerhouse, Southern University, where she received a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Social Work. For the past ten years she has worked with individuals and families exposed to trauma in capacities ranging from adult and youth mental health services, homelessness/housing insecurity, the educational system, and child welfare. Presently, Ronisha has the honor of working for her alma mater, Southern University, as the Training/Learning Center Manager and Adjunct Professor of Social Work and holds certifications in several trauma-specific treatment and learning modalities. Ronisha is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and spends her time volunteering with Girl Scouts and other community-based programs.

Anthony McCauley
North Carolina 

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Visit this donation page to sponsor Anthony's journey: 

https://www.flipcause.com/secure/fundraiser/MTUyMjU2/71958

​Anthony B. McCauley was born and raised in Thomasville, NC. He is Founder and CEO of MALES of Distinction/Ladies of MERIT Youth Programs, and owner of Gravity Drone Services. Anthony is a three-time number one Best-Selling Author, he has published eleven books and is also an International Author published in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. He is a life-long Mentor that uses his talents to share his experience, strength, and hope to today’s youth. He has completed training at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ as a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist, and obtained A.A.S in Human Services from Guilford Technical Community College. He is currently a student at Southern New Hampshire University, obtaining his B.S. in Psychology and received induction into Sigma Alpha Pi (National Society of Leadership) at SNHU. He is Certified DISC Profile Analyst in association with Personality Insights. Anthony is passionate about mentorship and life coaching, and education. After attending the Mentoring Center of Ohio, he received career diplomas in the areas of Building Resilience in Youth and treating Trauma with a working knowledge on interventions. Anthony motivates and mentors within school systems globally. He helps young people make better decisions for their lives and teaches them how to transition from stages of adolescence into adulthood. His motivation and experience lead and guide others how to grow and strive for excellence, achieve greatness, and speak freely and openly about issues and concerns. In 2017, Mr. Anthony B. McCauley began working with young boys and girls when he saw the need for more assistance to be given to help support families and communities with focuses on building self-esteem and improving the well-being of students who needed guidance, support, and role models. As Mr. McCauley began to research juvenile justice and those males who find themselves making bad choices, he saw that he can use his success building and character development talents to bring together males to help those affected by making poor life decisions.

Ruth Salady
California

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Ruth Salady has been an environmental activist for decades and was involved in the Headwaters protests defending ancient redwood forests in Northern California. She is a regenerative lifestyle consultant, natural builder and artist who has been educated in permaculture design, cob building and soil restoration. Ruth’s lived experience with childhood trauma drives her dedication to advocating for those in need of support. She currently sits on the Child and Family Services Citizen Review Panel for the State of California as a lived experience expert and works with Compassion Prison Project helping to inform prison residents about the effects of childhood trauma.

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Ruby Watson
Florida​

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Ruby Watson believes everyone can find their purpose in life once they understand how ACEs influence their behavior. She strongly believes we are a strong community with all the resources we need to live happy healthy lives, we need to come together to make it a reality.

Ruby is dedicated to serving the community through innovation and action oriented thinking. She has had many opportunities to give back over the years.

Through education, vocational opportunities, community outreach and leadership development, she has continued to lift up the community around her. Being a servant leader is a choice she is happy to make on a daily basis.

Patricia Troy
Virginia​

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​HI. IM PATRICIA I am the Founder of Flavorz Academy, A non-profit cooking program for youth. I use my voice to Advocate for Mental Health, PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression. I am passionate about Educating my community, cooking, and music!

Anthony Morano
New York ​

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Anthony and his wife are proud parents of three special-needs young men, (two adopted), 25, 20, and 18.  He  is employed as a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist for Children and Adults in a large Behavioral Health Clinic in Syracuse, NY. He has Master’s degrees in both Childhood Education and Special Education.

​Anthony is founder of Journey Through the Storm, a ministry that supports children who struggle with behavioral and mental health challenges, and their families, via skill-building and support groups. He serves on the fundraising committee for the Building Men Program, a Syracuse, NY based nonprofit that seeks to give inner city middle and high school young men a vision for  Purpose-filled and Integral Manhood.. Anthony is a graduate of New York State Partners in Policy Making (2015) and Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders (2021). He is also a member of the ADA Trainer Leadership Network.  Anthony has served as Treasurer for the Brain Injury Coalition of CNY, and is currently a member of the New York State Rehabilitation Council, which advises New York State’s Vocational Rehabilitation agency. 

Anthony is deeply committed to the ACEs Matter mission to “start the conversation where it doesn’t exist!”

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Jason Melendez
Florida​

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My Name Is Jason Melendez, I am a podcast producer, director and host with over 100 hours of interview time. I have interviewed some of the most influential people in the world. I'm very passionate about my work, and aspire to be a paid motivational speaker.I'm a person who's had to face many adversities in life and I am now most of the way through my journey. I'm not a hero. I'm just an average person who didn't allow my past to define me. I have plans to be successful & independent in my career path and be able to have a flexible schedule that allows me to be with my loving family more. I am a strong advocate for mental health and hope to use this program to spread the word about ACEs.

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