EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Adam's passion for serving the needs of children in Newtown through REACH is a natural outgrowth of his many years as an educator, school administrator, and youth sports coach. That's because he embodies the very same core values that REACH aspires to pass along. From dedicated husband and father to accomplished musician and coach to active community leader, Adam recognizes the value of consistent communication and collaboration between the family, community and school to effectively support children in need.

Adam holds a BA in Elementary Education and an MSc in Science Education. He also holds a Sixth Year Degree in Education Administration and has been awarded for his work with adults with special needs.

Adam lives in Trumbull, Connecticut with his wife, Lindsey, and their three children.

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.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Harry recently graduated from the University of Delaware. He holds a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in History. Harry enjoys running, playing basketball, painting. He has served as a camp counselor, mentor, and coach throughout high school and college.

In the winter of 2018, Harry started volunteering at the REACH Mentorship and Expeditions programs. In 2021, Harrison became the Mentorship Director and Academic Coordinator for REACH. Harry enjoys helping kids achieve their goals on an individual and group level. He hopes to continue to establish the REACH environment as one that cultivates creativity, inclusiveness, and positivity. Harry’s greatest strengths are his ability to connect with the kids, and his dedication to leading productive group activities.

Harry plans to obtain a Master’s Degree in the future and hopes to be a part of Team REACH for many years to come.

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.

PRESIDENT, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Luke Forshaw is proud to lead the Cooperative Educational Services Professional Development team. Prior to this role, Luke has been a classroom teacher and educational leader with experience in both building and district service. He continues to teach graduate course work in curriculum & teaching, leadership and research design. Luke is a firm believer in the power of adult learning and is a champion for continuous improvement on behalf of students and families.

Luke holds a BA in Psychology from Trinity College and an MA and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University.

ADMINISTRATOR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Andrew is a multi-talented educator at the Sherman School in Sherman, Connecticut. From sixth-grade math teacher to soccer coach to chair of the Fine Arts Committee, Andrew displays a consistent commitment to enriching the lives of children of all ages.

Andrew holds a BA in Education and Psychology, an MA in Science, and a Sixth-Year Certificate in in Administration. He enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter at home in Southbury, Connecticut. He's also a dedicated writer, youth fine arts director, youth soccer coach.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER

Eric currently serves as the Vice President of Revenue Management at PepsiCo where he has worked for nearly 20 years in various Sales, General Management and Finance roles. He and his wife Kathryn are both proud graduates of Indiana University and are raising their two boys Max and Charlie to love the Hoosiers as much as they do. Eric enjoys running, playing golf/basketball, and coaching youth sports in Newtown, CT. 

MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Barb Patrick, wife of Sean and mother of three fabulous teens, has been a Newtown resident since 1996. As a local artist and owner of Bitty Birdie Design, Barb lovingly makes baby quilts, t-shirt quilts, memory quilts, pillows and all sorts of other fabric goodies. Barb also dabbles in weaving words into stories and is a published author. In her nonexistent free-time, Barb loves to travel, watch movies, spend time with friends, read & eat sweets!

MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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.

MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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.