Welcome To Teach 2 Reach

CEO and Founder Tweet

Angela M. Thomas CPC is a certified motivational speaker and author of eight inspirational books. She is a columnist writer for the magazine “Trendsetters to Trendsetters in Atlanta, Georgia and the CEO/Owner of Sheerpurrfection Publishing and Teach 2 Reach Literary Program. She has been recognized in Who’s Who business leaders in Publishing, Radio and several Newspapers.

Angela began her writing career on a path that is rare among other Certified Correctional Officers. Having earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Angela’s goals were to complement her career with a strong foundation in business and finance. In 2005, Angela’s career took another leap forward when she decided to step out on faith and pursue her writing career and that’s when her first book was birthed, “Chipping Away At The Soul Of Me’ and she has never looked back.

I held a position as a GED Officer/ Supervisor for 15 years of a Miami- Dade Correctional Rehabilitation Program in Miami. I have helped numerous inmates to achieve their GED's while being incarcerated. In teaching inmates to evaluate the consequences of their choices, I was motivated myself to pursue my writing career and the importance of being a literacy model for young and older children. Publishing children books, I was able to show parents and volunteers that books are a valuable tool which they can use to encourage children's love of words and learning.

Angela's career as an author, spokeswoman and counselor enable her to pursue her passion to inspire others with her success story and believing in your dreams. Angela's connection with teens has led her toward her Life's Purpose; a career that is rich in helping our children and public speaking. I appreciate you taking the time to learn about me and I look forward to helping our future leaders of tomorrow achieve more with their education and life careers.

CEO/ Director Mr. Charles Betts

Charles Betts is the founder of the Stingers organization in 1984. It was formed to provide for youth (boys and girls) to further their basketball skills and also, provide a means for children involved in sports to not only focus on sports but academics and community responsibility as well. Charles Betts, has expanded the Stingers program throughout the years forming a "quasi" holding the company name of "Hands Up". There are actually three programs that operates under the "Hands Up" including the Springfield Stingers; Connecticut Stingers; (based in Hartford Connecticut) and Team Roc Stingers Rochester, (based in Rochester, New York).

After retiring from the NBA, Mr Betts decided to dedicate his life to helping the youth and at risk children through programs and schools. I have coached boys and girls in basketball camps. My goals are to give every child the opportunity to excel in academics and become a successful College graduate.

President Mr. Frederick Thomas

Mr. Frederick Thomas, a 24 year veteran of The Miami Dade Police Department. I was a uniform officer for 2 ½ years, and a Field Training Officer for another 3 years. For the past seventeen years I have been a General Investigative Unit Detective. I handle such cases as robbery, shooting, stabbings, aggravated assaults, and battery grand theft some sexual offenses, fraud, burglary, and criminal mischief.

I have been trained in such areas such as Hostage Negotiation, Robbery Interviewing, Domestic Violence Cases, Child Exploitation, Defense Tactics, Firearms, Gangs Violence, Homeland Security and Internet Safety, Human Diversity and Decoy operations. I am also, a First Responder and CPR Instructor for the department. Throughout my career I have come across many at risk youth’s and truly believe if they had someone to invest in their future, their lives can be turned around and saved. Being a father of two and speaking with the youth's, I have been inspired to become more involved and invest in their lives by doing something positive in the present that impacts how their future will turn out. I spend my free time volunteering and speaking at schools about the dangers that lurk outside and the consequences of breaking the law. I belive if we take action now, the future leaders of tomorrow can have a successful future.

Vice President

Willie C. Henry Jr.

Mr. Henry is originally from Miami, Florida but has lived in Jacksonville for 3 years. Mr. Henry began his educational career at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University aka FAMU in Tallahassee, FL in 1997. Willie went to college ready to be an athlete but came out with a Bachelor in Business Administration and a MBA in Business Management, with top honors out of the 5-year MBA program in 2003. While in the 5 year program, he had the opportunity to complete internships with several companies in places like: Huntington, West Virginia; New Brunswick, New Jersey; New York, New York; & Johannesburg, South Africa.

After graduation he left Florida and moved to Las Vegas, NV to begin his professional career and began working for Citi as a Human Resources Management Associate in a 2 year rotational program. He worked in Las Vegas as a National Staffing Analyst for Citi Cards for 1 year in his first rotation. In that role, he was responsible for integrating Sears staffing processes into Citi’s processes and ensuring an efficient payroll conversion for Sears employees. While also in Las Vegas, he was provided the opportunity to become the interim staffing manager for Citi’s new start-up site in Tucson, AZ in 2004 for a few months. In this capacity, he sourced, offered, and hired over 120 employees for the start-up site. After he returned to Las Vegas following his short 2 month assignment in Tucson, he relocated to New York City for his second rotation in his program. In New York, Willie worked as a Human Resources Generalist supporting the Treasury business for 1 year. Later, Willie moved to Jacksonville in 2005 and became a Senior HR Generalist supporting the Citi Cards business. Currently, he is a Recruiter for Citi Graduate Recruitment and has responsibility for recruiting technology students & Inroads candidates.

Mr. Henry does enjoy his free time and he enjoys playing flag football, basketball, golf, attending Jaguar games and traveling. Willie is a very well-rounded young man who also gives back to his community by participating in various organizations such as the March of Dimes, HabiJax, Clara White Mission, Mal Washington Kids Foundation, and the United Way to name a few. He is a member of the National Association of Black Accountants, and the FAMU Alumni Association.

Director Valerie S. Kennerly

Valerie S. Kennerly was born on September 7, 1962; she grew up in Miami, Florida with her parents, Rose and Willie Henry where she still calls home today. Valerie is a mother of a beautiful daughter, Amber.

Valerie Kennerly graduated from South Ridge Sr. High School in 1979 and went on to attend Florida Agricultural Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree majoring in Criminal Justice.

Valerie moved back to Miami after graduation and began her career as a Probation Officer with the Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Services. She has completed several training courses such as Criminal Investigations, CPR, Self Defense, and Drug testing and court room hearings during her eighteen-year career before retiring.

She was also employed as a Drug Counselor at the Drug Abuse Foundation located in West Palm Beach Florida.

Valerie had a strong desire to work with children and she is currently employed as an assistant teacher at Carol City Middle School in the Dade-County Public School System.

Officer/ Fitness Manager

Andre Vaughn, 47

Miami-Dade police officer

Miami, Florida

5-feet-9, 190

Champ: I just won the overall men's open and first place in the light heavyweight division in the NPC Southern States Bodybuilding Championships. When I'm competing, I follow a strict diet and I work out five days a week -- no cheating! I lift weights and I do 40 minutes of cardio -- bicycle, treadmill or stadium stairs.

Muscle man: Instead of heavy weights, I lift moderate weights for high reps to generate heat. The heat kicks carbohydrates into the muscles, which makes you sweat as the muscles become fuller.

Bring on the carbs: I'll consume 400 grams of carbs a day, then two weeks before the competition I'll lower it to 100 carbs a day. It's very taxing on your psyche. It gets kind of painful, so you have to be mentally prepared.

R and R: After the competition I relax for a week or two and then start back easy and eat normal foods again. You body is still adjusting to the new you. Take it easy or you'll pull or tear something.

Years in the making: My first contest was in 1980. From 1980-1994 I competed three to four times a year, then injuries derailed me. I pulled a lot of muscles and tendons. In 2006, my 7-year-old talked me back into it, and success came along.

Officer Vaughn: I work out at Porky's Gym in Kendall. I'm a quiet guy around here. They know me more as an officer than a muscle head.

Time to splurge: I splurge on weekends -- desserts; beef instead of chicken, fish and turkey; a loaded baked potato; and pancakes. And ice cream.

I believe mentors and role models are invaluable in showing children the ropes in education, physical fitness, making introductions, helping find solutions to challenges, and advice on careers. It's all about giving back and investing for me. I want to see every child achieve great success and respect.

Rochester New York Director Damon Garfield

Damon was born in Rochester New York, where he envision and developed Team Roc Ministries in 1999. His dedicated wife (Andrea) and son (Damon Jr.) were vital in the birth of the organization. Damon Sr. and Charles Betts partnered and merged organizations in 2005. In 2008, I was blessed to come in to partnership with Mrs. Angela Thomas and family in Miami, Florida.

Currently in Rochester we have served over 1000 students per year. Services provided are athletic skill development, anger management, conflict resolution, life skills, character development, tutoring, gang prevention, intervention, outreach, Christian education.

My acceptance of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in 1999 transformed my mind and heart to serve the community from a different foundation. I have worked in juvenile detention for 14 years with non for profit, state and currently per diem at the Monroe county detention center in Rochester New York. In the last nine years I have contracted with the College Board, Mayor’s Office , Parks and Recreation Department, Center for Dispute Settlement and Project Stride (Omega Phi Si), St. John Fisher college section 5 sportsmanship conference , Roland Williams Football camp (life Skills facilitator 2003).

Through contract with the Center for Dispute Settlement I have served ages K-12 in the Rochester City School District delivering anger management and conflict resolution. I continue to mentor and coach athletic skill development in Basketball, football and golf for students K-12 and current college students. I am active in my church with the men’s ministry and youth ministry at St. Luke’s Tabernacle in Rochester New York and Press for the Prize ministries in Colombia South Carolina.

We have volunteered and raised money for the American Cancer society and provided exposure for girls and boys participating in basketball tournaments. Our motto is Daring to Dream as we encourage all students that through hard work and determination all things can be possible to achieve your future goals. Our goals are to encourage, assist and provide the proper tools for children to achieve success. It's taking control of your life, developing your skills and talent and achieving your goals to live a richer life.