The REACH Initiative
(Restore, Empower & Attain Connections with Hope)
The REACH Initiative is committed to seeing each individual healed and restored: body, soul, and spirit, so they can successfully live out their life. This mandates attending to physical health, mental and emotional health, as well as spiritual health. Through the establishment of a statewide network of Reentry Councils, we seek to bring about lasting change and collaborative impact in our communities. Our work is based on compassion for our fellow brothers and sisters in their suffering and need, and we believe each one is worthy of dignity and respect. We want our compassion to be alive in our words as well as our actions as we live generously in our service and support of others while faithfully stewarding all resources entrusted to us.
Our vision is to restore justice-impacted people by empowering them to lead, organize, and attain connections through hope for a better future.
We envision communities across West Virginia where every person impacted by the justice system has access to meaningful opportunities, supportive relationships, and the resources needed to thrive. Through leadership development, recovery capital, community engagement, and advocacy, we strive to create a future where individuals are valued for their potential rather than defined by their past.
By fostering collaboration among community members, service providers, employers, and justice system stakeholders, we work toward stronger families, safer communities, and lasting positive change.
The REACH Initiative was originally founded under the West Virginia Council of Churches with the vision of establishing Reentry Councils across the state. What began as the work of a single volunteer has grown into a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to reentry, recovery, and criminal justice reform. Today, REACH employs a team of 10 staff members, along with additional contractors and community partners who support our mission.
As the need for reentry services and community-based support continued to expand across West Virginia, REACH became an independent nonprofit organization to better focus on serving justice-involved individuals, strengthening communities, and advancing meaningful criminal justice reform.
Through collaboration, advocacy, education, and direct support, REACH works to create pathways to opportunity and successful reintegration for individuals and families across the state.
Our goal is to restore dignity, empower hope, and promote lasting change for individuals impacted by the justice system. We believe every person deserves the opportunity to rebuild their life, contribute to their community, and be treated with respect.
Through service, advocacy, and partnership, REACH continues to work toward a West Virginia where second chances are supported and communities are strengthened.
What hours do you work?
REACH operates remotely and serves communities throughout West Virginia. Because staff work across multiple counties and programs, the best way to reach us is by email or through our website contact form. A member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
Who do you serve?
We serve individuals, families, and communities impacted by the justice system. This includes people returning from incarceration, those participating in diversion or alternative sentencing programs, individuals in recovery, family members, service providers, employers, and community stakeholders working to support successful reintegration.
Do you provide financial assistance?
REACH does not generally provide direct financial assistance. However, we work closely with community partners throughout West Virginia and can help connect individuals to resources, services, and support that may meet their needs.
What services does REACH provide?
REACH strengthens reentry and recovery efforts across West Virginia through community engagement, resource navigation, advocacy, leadership development, training, and coordination of local Reentry Councils. We work to connect individuals and communities with the tools and partnerships needed to support successful reintegration.
What areas of the state do you serve?
REACH serves all 55 counties of West Virginia through 17 regional Reentry Councils. In addition, our Reentry Navigators currently provide direct support in Boone, Cabell, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming counties.
Together, these efforts allow us to connect individuals, families, and communities across West Virginia to resources, support, advocacy, and opportunities that promote successful reintegration and long-term success.
Our vision is to restore justice-impacted people by empowering them to lead, organize, and attain connections through hope for a better future.
We envision communities across West Virginia where every person impacted by the justice system has access to meaningful opportunities, supportive relationships, and the resources needed to thrive. Through leadership development, recovery capital, community engagement, and advocacy, we strive to create a future where individuals are valued for their potential rather than defined by their past.
By fostering collaboration among community members, service providers, employers, and justice system stakeholders, we work toward stronger families, safer communities, and lasting positive change.
The REACH Initiative was originally founded under the West Virginia Council of Churches with the vision of establishing Reentry Councils across the state. What began as the work of a single volunteer has grown into a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to reentry, recovery, and criminal justice reform. Today, REACH employs a team of 10 staff members, along with additional contractors and community partners who support our mission.
As the need for reentry services and community-based support continued to expand across West Virginia, REACH became an independent nonprofit organization to better focus on serving justice-involved individuals, strengthening communities, and advancing meaningful criminal justice reform.
Through collaboration, advocacy, education, and direct support, REACH works to create pathways to opportunity and successful reintegration for individuals and families across the state.
Our goal is to restore dignity, empower hope, and promote lasting change for individuals impacted by the justice system. We believe every person deserves the opportunity to rebuild their life, contribute to their community, and be treated with respect.
Through service, advocacy, and partnership, REACH continues to work toward a West Virginia where second chances are supported and communities are strengthened.
What hours do you work?
REACH operates remotely and serves communities throughout West Virginia. Because staff work across multiple counties and programs, the best way to reach us is by email or through our website contact form. A member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
Who do you serve?
We serve individuals, families, and communities impacted by the justice system. This includes people returning from incarceration, those participating in diversion or alternative sentencing programs, individuals in recovery, family members, service providers, employers, and community stakeholders working to support successful reintegration.
Do you provide financial assistance?
REACH does not generally provide direct financial assistance. However, we work closely with community partners throughout West Virginia and can help connect individuals to resources, services, and support that may meet their needs.
What services does REACH provide?
REACH strengthens reentry and recovery efforts across West Virginia through community engagement, resource navigation, advocacy, leadership development, training, and coordination of local Reentry Councils. We work to connect individuals and communities with the tools and partnerships needed to support successful reintegration.
What areas of the state do you serve?
REACH serves all 55 counties of West Virginia through 17 regional Reentry Councils. In addition, our Reentry Navigators currently provide direct support in Boone, Cabell, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming counties.
Together, these efforts allow us to connect individuals, families, and communities across West Virginia to resources, support, advocacy, and opportunities that promote successful reintegration and long-term success.
Meet Our Team
Beverly Sharp
Founder and Executive Director of the REACH Initiative & WV Reentry Councils
Beverly earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections from Marshall University. Most of her professional career was spent with the United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, where she retired after 30 years of service.
Beverly is certified by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) in the following areas: Offender Employment Specialist, Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) and OWDS Certified Instructor.as well as a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF). She served as Program Coordinator of the Criminal Justice Department at Ashland Community and Technical College.
Currently her goals are developing programs, initiatives, and training to improve the opportunities for former offenders to successfully return to the community as productive citizens, as well as to educate communities on the barriers faced by former offenders, in order to reduce recidivism and to Build Bridges to a Better Community.
Phone: 855-987-3224
Email: bsharp@wvreentry.org
Amber Blankenship
Peer Reentry Director
Amber Blankenship is the Reentry Program Director for The REACH Initiative, where she leads innovative efforts to support individuals impacted by substance use disorder, incarceration, and other barriers to long-term recovery. Through community partnerships, reentry navigation, and recovery support services, she works to help individuals rebuild their lives while strengthening the systems that serve them.
Amber is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Applied Community Development at Future Generations University, where her research focuses on strengthening systems of care, expanding recovery ecosystems, and improving outcomes for justice-involved individuals in Appalachian communities.
A person in long-term recovery herself, Amber has transformed her lived experience into a lifelong commitment to helping others rebuild their lives and achieve lasting recovery. Following her release from incarceration in 2019, she committed her life to serving individuals and families affected by addiction and the criminal justice system. Today, she oversees reentry programming across West Virginia, helping participants overcome barriers to employment, housing, healthcare, transportation, and sustained recovery.
Beyond her work at REACH, Amber serves on the West Virginia Governor’s Council for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment, Logan County QRT, is a Board Member of the Recovery Group of Southern West Virginia, and serves on the Advisory Board for the National Peer Recovery Alliance. She is committed to advancing peer recovery support, developing innovative reentry models, and shaping policies that create lasting change for individuals, families, and communities.
Amber believes that recovery is about more than overcoming addiction, it is about discovering purpose, and creating opportunities for lasting change. She is committed to empowering individuals to recognize their strengths, find their voice, and build meaningful lives. She believes that “iron sharpens iron” and that people grow stronger by encouraging, challenging, and investing in one another.
Email: ablankenship@wvreentry.org
Kristen Blankenship
Council Coordinator & Community Engagement Specialist
Kristen serves as the Community Engagement Specialist for The REACH Initiative and West Virginia Reentry Council Coordinator. She works closely with community leaders, service providers, employers, recovery organizations, and stakeholders across the state to strengthen partnerships and expand opportunities for individuals impacted by incarceration, substance use disorders, and other barriers to success like she pesonally has experienced.
In her role, Kristen coordinates statewide reentry council activities, supports community engagement efforts, facilitates collaboration between organizations, and assists in developing resources that promote successful reentry, workforce development, recovery support, and long-term stability. She is passionate about bringing people together to create practical solutions that strengthen communities and help individuals rebuild their lives. Her motto is, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” She’s a proud McDowell County native who is currently based in Huntington, WV.
Kristen believes that hope, connection, and opportunity are essential to lasting change and is committed to advancing the mission of The REACH Initiative through advocacy, collaboration, and service.
Email: kblankenship@wvreentry.org
Jonathan Spence
Reentry Navigator
Jonathan is a proud native of Logan County, West Virginia, where he resides with his wife, Pamela. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Jonathan struggled with alcohol addiction, which ultimately led to his incarceration.
During 23 years of incarceration on the U.S. Territory Island of Guam, Jonathan experienced a profound transformation through faith, forgiveness, and personal growth. A letter from his victim’s mother became a turning point in his journey, inspiring him to embrace accountability, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Since his release in 2016, Jonathan has dedicated his life to helping others by sharing his story, offering hope, and supporting individuals facing their own challenges. Through his work with The REACH Initiative, he uses his lived experience to encourage successful reentry, recovery, and personal transformation, demonstrating that redemption and second chances are possible.
Email: jspence@wvreentry.org
Teri Castle
Reentry Navigator
Teri’s transformative journey began during a 16-year period of incarceration. During that time, she embraced every opportunity for personal growth and self-improvement through therapy, yoga teacher training, and higher education.
Following her release, Teri earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Marshall University. She also completed a fellowship with the West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy, where she gained valuable experience in policy reform and advocacy efforts.
As a Reentry Navigator, Teri works directly with individuals facing challenges similar to those she once experienced, providing guidance, support, and resources to help them successfully navigate the reentry process.
Through her personal and professional journey, Teri remains committed to empowering others, advocating for positive systemic change, and helping individuals reclaim their lives while building brighter futures.
Email: tcastle@wvreentry.org
Ryan Mullins
Reentry Navigator
Ryan Mullins is a native of Madison, West Virginia, whose life has been transformed through recovery after more than 25 years of struggling with addiction. His sobriety date, July 11, 2023, marked the beginning of a new chapter focused on healing, personal growth, and helping others.
A significant part of Ryan’s recovery journey took place at The Rock Ministries, where he spent more than 18 months rebuilding his life and developing a strong foundation rooted in accountability, faith, perseverance, and self-discovery. Through recovery, he learned the importance of self-forgiveness, resilience, and finding purpose beyond past struggles.
As a REACHback Reentry Navigator, Ryan uses his lived experience to support individuals navigating reentry, recovery, and life after addiction. He is passionate about encouraging others, connecting people with resources, and demonstrating that lasting change is possible through hope, hard work, and community support.
Email: rmullins@wvreentry.org
Bryanna Hodge
Reentry Navigator
Originally from Fayette County, Bryanna found new opportunities and a strong recovery community in Charleston that played a significant role in her personal growth. As she approached the completion of her treatment program, she discovered a passion for helping others overcome the same challenges she once faced.
Today, Bryanna finds purpose in supporting individuals navigating recovery, reentry, and personal transformation. Drawing from both lived experience and professional dedication, she assists individuals returning from incarceration, working toward family reunification, and building stable, meaningful lives in recovery.
As Reentry Navigator, Bryanna understands the importance of community support, peer connections, and access to essential resources. She is committed to reducing recidivism, promoting recovery, and empowering individuals to recognize that their past does not define their future.
Email: bhodge@wvreentry.org
Robert Jason Foltz
Reentry Navigator
A second-year college student and PRSS-certified professional, Jason combines lived experience with compassion, resilience, and a genuine commitment to service. His personal journey has strengthened his belief that recovery, redemption, and positive change are possible for everyone.
Through guidance, advocacy, peer support, and community connection, Jason works to empower individuals navigating recovery and reentry while helping them build confidence, stability, and hope for the future.
Email: jfoltz@wvreentry.org
Liz Stewart
Reentry Navigator
Liz Stewart is a resilient woman who has walked through loss, hardship, and uncertainty, rebuilding her life through perseverance, faith, and personal growth. Through life’s challenges, she discovered a deeper sense of purpose and a passion for helping others navigate their own journeys of healing and transformation.
Grounded in both education and lived experience, Liz is committed to supporting individuals during times of transition, recovery, and rebuilding. She believes everyone deserves the opportunity to rediscover their strengths, overcome obstacles, and create a meaningful future.
As a Reentry Navigator, Liz works alongside individuals as they navigate change, offering encouragement, support, and connection to resources. Her mission is to help others recognize that no matter where they begin, rebuilding is always possible.
Email: lstewart@wvreentry.org
Wes McLean
Reentry Navigator
Wes’s recovery journey began after fifteen years of substance use disorder and more than five years of incarceration during his early adult life. After numerous treatment experiences and personal challenges, he made the decision to change the course of his life.
In 2021, Wesley relocated from Georgia to West Virginia to begin a new chapter focused on recovery, personal growth, and faith. With the support of his family, church community, and continued commitment to recovery, he has built a life centered on purpose and service.
As a Reentry Navigator, Wesley is passionate about helping individuals successfully transition back into their communities. Drawing from his own lived experience, he provides encouragement, guidance, and support to those facing challenges similar to the ones he once overcame. He believes that recovery, redemption, and positive change are possible for anyone willing to pursue them.
Email: wmclean@wvreentry.org
Beth Allevato
Reentry Navigator
Beth Allevato serves as a Peer Reentry Navigator and AmeriCorps participant with the REACH Initiative. Originally from Clarksburg, West Virginia, Beth brings both professional dedication and personal experience to her role. As a justice-impacted individual with more than two years of sobriety, she is passionate about helping others find hope, overcome barriers, and build successful lives in recovery and reentry.
Beth’s journey led her to Logan through the Marjorie Oakley House, where she began a new chapter focused on growth, healing, and service to others. Drawing from her own experiences, she understands the challenges many individuals face and is committed to helping them access the resources, support, and encouragement they need to succeed. Her favorite part of her work is helping people discover hope and recognize their potential for a brighter future.
As an AmeriCorps participant, Beth is dedicated to strengthening her community through service and supporting individuals as they navigate recovery and reentry.
Email: ballevato@wvreentry.org
Meet Our Team
Beverly Sharp
Founder and Executive Director of the REACH Initiative & WV Reentry Councils
Beverly earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections from Marshall University. Most of her professional career was spent with the United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, where she retired after 30 years of service.
Beverly is certified by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) in the following areas: Offender Employment Specialist, Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) and OWDS Certified Instructor.as well as a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF). She served as Program Coordinator of the Criminal Justice Department at Ashland Community and Technical College.
Currently her goals are developing programs, initiatives, and training to improve the opportunities for former offenders to successfully return to the community as productive citizens, as well as to educate communities on the barriers faced by former offenders, in order to reduce recidivism and to Build Bridges to a Better Community.
Phone: 855-987-3224
Email: bsharp@wvreentry.org
Amber Blankenship
Peer Reentry Director
Amber Blankenship is the Reentry Program Director for The REACH Initiative, where she leads innovative efforts to support individuals impacted by substance use disorder, incarceration, and other barriers to long-term recovery. Through community partnerships, reentry navigation, and recovery support services, she works to help individuals rebuild their lives while strengthening the systems that serve them.
Amber is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Applied Community Development at Future Generations University, where her research focuses on strengthening systems of care, expanding recovery ecosystems, and improving outcomes for justice-involved individuals in Appalachian communities.
A person in long-term recovery herself, Amber has transformed her lived experience into a lifelong commitment to helping others rebuild their lives and achieve lasting recovery. Following her release from incarceration in 2019, she committed her life to serving individuals and families affected by addiction and the criminal justice system. Today, she oversees reentry programming across West Virginia, helping participants overcome barriers to employment, housing, healthcare, transportation, and sustained recovery.
Beyond her work at REACH, Amber serves on the West Virginia Governor’s Council for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment, Logan County QRT, is a Board Member of the Recovery Group of Southern West Virginia, and serves on the Advisory Board for the National Peer Recovery Alliance. She is committed to advancing peer recovery support, developing innovative reentry models, and shaping policies that create lasting change for individuals, families, and communities.
Amber believes that recovery is about more than overcoming addiction, it is about discovering purpose, and creating opportunities for lasting change. She is committed to empowering individuals to recognize their strengths, find their voice, and build meaningful lives. She believes that “iron sharpens iron” and that people grow stronger by encouraging, challenging, and investing in one another.
Email: ablankenship@wvreentry.org
Kristen Blankenship
Council Coordinator & Community Engagement Specialist
Kristen serves as the Community Engagement Specialist for The REACH Initiative and West Virginia Reentry Council Coordinator. She works closely with community leaders, service providers, employers, recovery organizations, and stakeholders across the state to strengthen partnerships and expand opportunities for individuals impacted by incarceration, substance use disorders, and other barriers to success like she pesonally has experienced.
In her role, Kristen coordinates statewide reentry council activities, supports community engagement efforts, facilitates collaboration between organizations, and assists in developing resources that promote successful reentry, workforce development, recovery support, and long-term stability. She is passionate about bringing people together to create practical solutions that strengthen communities and help individuals rebuild their lives. Her motto is, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” She’s a proud McDowell County native who is currently based in Huntington, WV.
Kristen believes that hope, connection, and opportunity are essential to lasting change and is committed to advancing the mission of The REACH Initiative through advocacy, collaboration, and service.
Email: kblankenship@wvreentry.org
Jonathan Spence
Reentry Navigator
Jonathan is a proud native of Logan County, West Virginia, where he resides with his wife, Pamela. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Jonathan struggled with alcohol addiction, which ultimately led to his incarceration.
During 23 years of incarceration on the U.S. Territory Island of Guam, Jonathan experienced a profound transformation through faith, forgiveness, and personal growth. A letter from his victim’s mother became a turning point in his journey, inspiring him to embrace accountability, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Since his release in 2016, Jonathan has dedicated his life to helping others by sharing his story, offering hope, and supporting individuals facing their own challenges. Through his work with The REACH Initiative, he uses his lived experience to encourage successful reentry, recovery, and personal transformation, demonstrating that redemption and second chances are possible.
Email: jspence@wvreentry.org
Teri Castle
Reentry Navigator
Teri’s transformative journey began during a 16-year period of incarceration. During that time, she embraced every opportunity for personal growth and self-improvement through therapy, yoga teacher training, and higher education.
Following her release, Teri earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Marshall University. She also completed a fellowship with the West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy, where she gained valuable experience in policy reform and advocacy efforts.
As a Reentry Navigator, Teri works directly with individuals facing challenges similar to those she once experienced, providing guidance, support, and resources to help them successfully navigate the reentry process.
Through her personal and professional journey, Teri remains committed to empowering others, advocating for positive systemic change, and helping individuals reclaim their lives while building brighter futures.
Email: tcastle@wvreentry.org
Ryan Mullins
Reentry Navigator
Ryan Mullins is a native of Madison, West Virginia, whose life has been transformed through recovery after more than 25 years of struggling with addiction. His sobriety date, July 11, 2023, marked the beginning of a new chapter focused on healing, personal growth, and helping others.
A significant part of Ryan’s recovery journey took place at The Rock Ministries, where he spent more than 18 months rebuilding his life and developing a strong foundation rooted in accountability, faith, perseverance, and self-discovery. Through recovery, he learned the importance of self-forgiveness, resilience, and finding purpose beyond past struggles.
As a REACHback Reentry Navigator, Ryan uses his lived experience to support individuals navigating reentry, recovery, and life after addiction. He is passionate about encouraging others, connecting people with resources, and demonstrating that lasting change is possible through hope, hard work, and community support.
Email: rmullins@wvreentry.org
Bryanna Hodge
Reentry Navigator
Originally from Fayette County, Bryanna found new opportunities and a strong recovery community in Charleston that played a significant role in her personal growth. As she approached the completion of her treatment program, she discovered a passion for helping others overcome the same challenges she once faced.
Today, Bryanna finds purpose in supporting individuals navigating recovery, reentry, and personal transformation. Drawing from both lived experience and professional dedication, she assists individuals returning from incarceration, working toward family reunification, and building stable, meaningful lives in recovery.
As Reentry Navigator, Bryanna understands the importance of community support, peer connections, and access to essential resources. She is committed to reducing recidivism, promoting recovery, and empowering individuals to recognize that their past does not define their future.
Email: bhodge@wvreentry.org
Robert Jason Foltz
Reentry Navigator
A second-year college student and PRSS-certified professional, Jason combines lived experience with compassion, resilience, and a genuine commitment to service. His personal journey has strengthened his belief that recovery, redemption, and positive change are possible for everyone.
Through guidance, advocacy, peer support, and community connection, Jason works to empower individuals navigating recovery and reentry while helping them build confidence, stability, and hope for the future.
Email: jfoltz@wvreentry.org
Liz Stewart
Reentry Navigator
Liz Stewart is a resilient woman who has walked through loss, hardship, and uncertainty, rebuilding her life through perseverance, faith, and personal growth. Through life’s challenges, she discovered a deeper sense of purpose and a passion for helping others navigate their own journeys of healing and transformation.
Grounded in both education and lived experience, Liz is committed to supporting individuals during times of transition, recovery, and rebuilding. She believes everyone deserves the opportunity to rediscover their strengths, overcome obstacles, and create a meaningful future.
As a Reentry Navigator, Liz works alongside individuals as they navigate change, offering encouragement, support, and connection to resources. Her mission is to help others recognize that no matter where they begin, rebuilding is always possible.
Email: lstewart@wvreentry.org
Wes McLean
Reentry Navigator
In 2021, Wesley relocated from Georgia to West Virginia to begin a new chapter focused on recovery, personal growth, and faith. With the support of his family, church community, and continued commitment to recovery, he has built a life centered on purpose and service.
As a Reentry Navigator, Wesley is passionate about helping individuals successfully transition back into their communities. Drawing from his own lived experience, he provides encouragement, guidance, and support to those facing challenges similar to the ones he once overcame. He believes that recovery, redemption, and positive change are possible for anyone willing to pursue them.
Email: wmclean@wvreentry.org
Beth Allevato
Reentry Navigator
Beth Allevato serves as a Peer Reentry Navigator and AmeriCorps participant with the REACH Initiative. Originally from Clarksburg, West Virginia, Beth brings both professional dedication and personal experience to her role. As a justice-impacted individual with more than two years of sobriety, she is passionate about helping others find hope, overcome barriers, and build successful lives in recovery and reentry.
Beth’s journey led her to Logan through the Marjorie Oakley House, where she began a new chapter focused on growth, healing, and service to others. Drawing from her own experiences, she understands the challenges many individuals face and is committed to helping them access the resources, support, and encouragement they need to succeed. Her favorite part of her work is helping people discover hope and recognize their potential for a brighter future.
As an AmeriCorps participant, Beth is dedicated to strengthening her community through service and supporting individuals as they navigate recovery and reentry.
Email: ballevato@wvreentry.org