Adam Carley, Founder Emeritus & Outdoor Program Leader

Adam’s lifelong passion for serving children is the foundation upon which REACH was built. With a background as an educator, school administrator, youth program director, and coach, Adam embodies the same core values that REACH strives to instill in every young person it serves. Adam has always championed the importance of strong communication and collaboration between families, schools, and communities to support the whole child and guide them toward success in college, career, or the trades.

Adam holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and English, an M.S. in Science Education, and a Sixth Year Degree in Educational Administration. He has also been recognized for his work supporting adults with special needs.

Adam firmly believes that programs don’t change lives, relationships do. At REACH, he has made it his mission to ensure that every child feels seen, supported, and believed in. Beyond relationships, Adam believes what truly sets REACH apart is its unwavering consistency and being there every step of the way for the kids we serve, day after day, year after year.

After serving for 13 years as the founding Executive Director of REACH, Adam has transitioned into the role of Outdoor Program Leader and proudly continues to serve as a Founder Emeritus on the REACH Board of Directors.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Joan Laucius has a long history of giving. Her mother and father were both tireless volunteers and giving back was an important part of the fabric of her families’ life.

Joan served as President of her local SPTO, and was involved for many years, she was President and 8-year board member of the Sherman Library, she served on the board of Julia’s Wings, and she was appointed to the Commission on Aging, serving for two years. Joan currently serves on the regional Deer Pond Farm board of Connecticut Audubon and is the President of Matthew 25, an organization that provides food and heat assistance to Sherman residents.

For many years Joan worked in the for-profit technology sector, taking a break to raise her 3 children. Upon returning to the workforce, Joan decided to combine her years of for profit and non-profit experience into a rewarding career.

“Raising funds for REACH and working with such dedicated individuals is a privilege. I love my role at REACH and what I do. As a parent, I take such pride in my children and their accomplishments. I want that pride to swell in every parent’s chest and for every child to have the same opportunities to succeed and thrive.

I really am blessed to watch my REACH children soar, funded by donor support and their unwavering belief in REACH Western CT and our mission.”

Joan resides in Sherman with her husband, Jim. Her three grown children are on their own but thankfully live in the tri-state area.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

As a veteran elementary teacher and Library Media Specialist, Lindsey has spent countless hours in the classroom teaching, mentoring, and coaching children to reach their full potential. She is an active member of her school's leadership council and regularly serves on district curriculum writing teams. Her most powerful contribution is a determination to develop trusting and caring relationships with each child that walks through her door.

Lindsey holds a BA in Elementary Education, Library Science Certification, BA in Corporate Communications and an MA in Education. She lives in Trumbull, Connecticut with her husband, Adam, and their three children. She enjoys running, coaching softball, and spending summer teaching literacy in urban communities

MENTOR COORDINATOR

Jeff Tolson is a dedicated high school counselor whose commitment to supporting and cultivating relationships with our town's youth extend far beyond the walls of Newtown High School or the local fields. His secret to reaching kids is simple; show how much you care by listening, be a consistent champion by their side, and strike a balance between unconditional support and accountability.

Jeff has led numerous mentoring and leadership initiatives through his Newtown Parks and Recreation Flag Football and Floor Hockey programs. The Fusion Mentoring Program, which he leads in conjunction with Newtown Youth and Family Services, is a model program in the state and is revered by students, parents, and colleagues.

"It is a great honor to be involved in the REACH program with such altruistic, powerful leaders and I am hoping to help continue our culture of giving and caring for all of Newtown's youth."

Jeff lives in Newtown, Connecticut with his wife and children.

Andrew E. Schoefer

President, Board of Directors 

Andrew is a multi-talented educator at RMT Johnson School in Bethel, Connecticut. From teaching children in grades 3 through 6  to directing a variety of musicals, to being a successful administrator in a K-8 school, Andrew has always displayed a consistent commitment to enriching the lives of all children.

Andrew holds a BA in Education and Psychology, an MA in Science, and a Sixth-Year Certificate in Administration. He enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and son at their home in Southbury, Connecticut. Andrew also enjoys coaching youth sports and is a dedicated writer in his spare time. 

Andrew has been a founding board member since 2011. 

Board of Directors Member

Eric currently serves as the President and Chief Operating Officer at Celsius Holdings Inc.  He recently joined Celsius after a nearly 30-year career at PepsiCo.  Eric enjoys playing golf, running, and spending time with his family traveling.

Board of Directors Member

Bryan is a financial advisor and a small business owner in Newtown with nearly 20 years of experience in the financial industry. He graduated from The University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business with a BA in Finance. Bryan is married with two children, and he is a very active volunteer and youth coach in his hometown of Newtown, CT.

Board of Directors Member

Joe is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a BA in Economics. His professional career includes mortgage banking and corporate relocation. Along with his role on the board, Joe has volunteered at REACH Mentorship and numerous REACH Expeditions.

He is passionate about serving on a leadership team for an organization that serves the town he has loved and lived in for 31 years. Throughout the many years Joe has lived in Newtown, he has coached numerous recreational and travel soccer and basketball teams and has volunteered for numerous community and church programs. Joe has been married to his wife Cindy for 31 years, and together they raised three children through the Newtown Public Schools. Joe's hobbies include gardening, fishing, model rocketry and planes, and woodworking.

Board of Directors Member

Steve is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who currently serves as a Site Director at Family and Children's Aid in Danbury, CT. He has worked with clients with a variety of issues and from all different backgrounds and has had extensive experience working with people who have experienced trauma as well as issues of traumatic grief. Steve values the importance of establishing an honest therapeutic relationship with the clients in a sensitive, compassionate and respectful way.

Steve is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), and he is a certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) therapist. Steve has also been trained in Solution Focused therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and various approaches to Family therapy.

Creative Director

Dave is an accomplished designer with a strong background in marketing and brand communication. His portfolio spans many different forms of media and across many different brands. Dave's experience as a youth leader for junior high kids also brings a valuable element to the REACH team.

Dave lives in Norwalk, Connecticut with his wife and two daughters.