Juanita Lewis
Founder
Meet Juanita Lewis, an educator with 17 years of experience teaching in public, private and homeschool sectors. Currently teaching in the local public school system, she holds dual Master of Science degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education. Alongside her husband, Matt, whom she married in 2008, Juanita is a devoted mother to their daughters and an advocate for children, having served as both foster and adoptive parents. Together, they lead their church's youth program in Madison Heights, Virginia. The B.E.A.R ministry is driven by her passion to support our youth emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Board of Directors
Matt Lewis
​​President
Meet Matt Lewis, a dedicated husband to Juanita since 2008 and a proud father. With experience as a foster and adoptive parent, he understands both the joys and challenges of parenting. A skilled carpenter with over 30 years of expertise, Matt is employed at a local Christian university. Currently, he serves as the Youth Director at a church in Madison Heights, where he passionately shares the message of hope found in Jesus Christ with families in the community. Alongside his wife and their two younger daughters, Matt lives in Lynchburg, fostering faith and love within their family and beyond.
Pastor Seth Campbell
Treasurer
​Meet Seth Campbell, a devoted husband to Kate and proud dad to Weston who lives his life as an unashamed follower of Christ. With a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Old Dominion University and a Master's in Ministry from Carolina University, Seth combines his technical expertise with a passion for service. His professional journey includes roles as a site plan designer and project engineer at Hurt & Proffitt, construction manager for downtown renewal projects in Lynchburg, and Assistant Director of Public Works for Bedford. Outside of work, Seth enjoys coffee, hunting, camping, and cherishing moments spent with his family and church. Currently, since January 2023, Seth serves as the Associate Pastor at Faith Baptist Church, where he is dedicated to ministering to families and sharing the Gospel. His passion for reaching local communities is evident in his commitment to making a positive impact through faith and service.
Det. Stephen Gauthier
Treasurer
Meet Stephen Gauthier, a committed community advocate and dedicated Detective with the Lynchburg Police Department. Before bringing his expertise to Virginia, Stephen honed his skills as an officer with the New York Police Department (NYPD). With a diverse background in customer, sales, and the commercial airline industry, he brings a wealth of experience to his role. Beyond law enforcement, Stephen has spent over a decade mentoring youth through collegiate wrestling coaching and volunteering with programs like USA Wrestling and Beat the Streets in New York City and Providence, Rhode Island.
Officer Liary Gauthier
​Secretary
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Meet Liary Gauthier, a dedicated professional hailing from the vibrant Dominican Republic and enriched by the diverse culture of New York City, where she grew up. With three years of experience in a nonprofit Criminal Justice organization, Liary transitioned to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) as a Patrol Officer in the South Bronx serving for another three years. After moving to Lynchburg, Virginia, she committed herself to public safety as a Police Officer and currently serves as a School Resource Officer, mentoring students from elementary through high school. Liary’s extensive experience in the Criminal Justice system fuels her passion for guiding youth in the community, equipping them with valuable resources and support.
Dr. Dan Reichard
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Meet Dan Reichard, a proud native of Lynchburg, Virginia, has dedicated his life to faith and family. After graduating from Holy Cross Catholic School in 1969, he married his childhood sweetheart Shelley in 1972. They now celebrate 53 wonderful years together, raised three married children and are enjoying the company of their eight grandchildren. Dan served honorably in the United States Air Force until 1975, where he accepted Christ as his personal Savior. With a Th.D from Trinity Seminary, he has passionately committed his career to Christian education as a principal and serving on the mission field. Currently, Dr. Dan Reichard serves as the Executive Pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Madison Heights, ministering to families within our community.
Corey Williams
Meet Corey Williams, a dedicated Elementary Behavior Coach passionate about fostering positive learning environments where all students can thrive. With 8 years of experience in education and behavioral support, he specializes in evidence-based strategies that enhance social-emotional learning, positive behavior interventions and promote student success. Corey is a strong advocate for student well-being and collaborates closely with teachers, administrators, and families to develop individualized behavior plans, implement restorative practices, and provide training on effective classroom management techniques. Corey continues to stay up to date with the latest research in behavior intervention and trauma-informed practices. His compassionate and proactive approach ensures that every student receives the support they need to excel. His commitment to our youth empowers them to navigate challenges, build resilience, and achieve both academic and personal growth.
Sarah Wallace
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Meet Sarah Wallace, a devoted school counselor with a strong passion for building meaningful connections with her students. Sarah's experience includes teaching public speaking, tutoring elementary students, establishing an after-school ballet program, and volunteering with groups such as VBS, Girls on the Run, Special Olympics and Divorce Care Kids. She has also spent multiple years as a therapeutic mentor and life skills coach to young adults who aged out of foster care and were part of an independent living program. With her certifications in trauma training, Youth Mental Health First Aid and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills, Sarah is dedicated to advocating for young people and empowering them to succeed. Sarah champions for best practices to enhance therapeutic journeys and outcomes. When she's not working, you can find her enjoying an iced coffee and spending time with her husband, daughter, and pup. Her passion for her work is matched only by her love for family time.