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Our Team
Administrative Staff
Ginny Newman
Director
Grace DeShong
Division Supervisor
Jay Holly
Office Manager
Ginny is the Director of the Office on Youth. She has extensive experience in the human services field, especially with children and families. Ginny is a model “working mom” who is passionate about her family and her profession. Her employees describe her as patient, flexible, creative, and always willing to assist.
Grace comes to the OOY with 15 years of public service experience. For nine years, she was a Virginia State Police Trooper, and for six years, she performed supervisory roles as a Services Supervisor for a local Department of Social Services. She is known for her obsession with flamingos and Wonder Woman. She is married and the proud mother of 3 girls and one very unfriendly cat. Grace likes hanging out with her daughters or working in the yard with her husband.
Jay comes to the OOY with 9 years of youth development experience. For nine years, he grew his career at the Boys & Girls Club of Waynesboro, Staunton, and Augusta County. He started as a Program Leader at the Waynesboro Teen Center, then was hired as the Teen Director, and finally was the Program Director and Mentor Coordinator. Jay mentored youth men at Kate Collins Middle School where he would come in and eat lunch with them and motivate them to get through the rest of the day. Before his journey at the Boys & Girls Club, he worked 7 years at Augusta Health in Nutrition Services, Radiology as a transporter, and finally Physical Therapy as a Technician. He serves at his local church as the Youth Pastor, Worship Leader, Marketing Coordinator, and Project/Program Manager. Outside of working hard, he loves photography, graphic design, traveling, and thrift shopping/antiquing. He is married, and family-oriented. Jay has a heart for the youth in the community and is always looking for better ways to serve and mentor.
Program Staff
Shawn McLain
Juvenile Crime Control Coordinator
Meredith Keppel
Family Services Coordinator
Josh Mutters
Truancy Prevention & Intervention Coordinator
Steve Garon
Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Shawn oversees the Juvenile Offenders and Crime Control programs. He says that having the opportunity to “change a life, one teen at a time” keeps him motivated to work at the OOY. Shawn has also served as the Children’s Director at his church over the past several years. He enjoys fishing and motorcycle riding in his free time
Meredith is the Family Services Coordinator. She is currently pursuing an Associates Degree in Human Services from Blue Ridge Community College. She is married with four children. A rabbit and dog round out her family. Meredith has lived in the area most of her life. With almost 15 years work experience, she has a passion for supporting families and building the family unit. With some of her own personal life experiences, she is able to relate to some of the difficult situations families face in this day and age. She is nonjudgmental and wants to assist however possible. Some of the favorite parts of her job are working with the inmates at Middle River Regional Jail, facilitating programs, and working with numerous coalitions to help improve the community.
Josh serves as the Truancy Coordinator. He currently encourages and supports students who have difficulty attending school. He has a passion for helping students accomplish goals and fulfill their potential. When not working you will likely find Josh enjoying time with his wife and two children or competitively fishing.
Steve is the Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator. In this role, he encourages healthy lifestyles for students by promoting safe walking and bicycling options to and from school. He is a recent arrival to the Shenandoah Valley. The Valley is the first place in his adult life where he truly feels “home.” Before coming to the Office on Youth, he had a lengthy career in education and community engagement. Steve is a huge fan of human locomotion and often bicycles area roads or hikes in the mountains.
Rae Dillon
Outreach Coordinator
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Brittany Weakley
Truancy Mentor
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Adjoa Stewart
Program Assistant
Rae Dillon comes to us with a Bachelor's in History from Sweet Briar College. She worked in childcare as an Assistant Director. She is excited to be in this new role and continue the amazing work of outreach for the OOY, implement new ideas, network with community partners, and making her own impact in the Central Shenandoah Valley. . Her favorite way to past time is listening to True Crime Obsessed or other podcasts, going to any second-hand stores / flea markets, or crocheting. Rae is a strong advocate of audio books and supporting your local library whenever given the chance!
Brittany Weakley is a Truancy Mentor for the Office On Youth and a recent grad, with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice at Mary Baldwin University. She is recently married and just moved to the area. With having little experience with the field, she is very excited to learn more about the community and what is to come. Brittany loves spending time with her family on her free time, and also is a dance teacher for Mary Baldwin University.
Adjoa Stewart is a senior Social Work major at Mary Baldwin University. Prior to her role with the Office On Youth, she served as a Youth Development Professional at the Boys and Girls Club. Adjoa is passionate about community service and promoting mental health awareness. She plans to pursue a Master’s in Social Work and become an LCSW to offer counseling for youth. Outside of her work and studies, Adjoa enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and family, taking hikes, and dancing. She teaches jazz dance at Xpressions Dance Studio in her spare time. With a deep commitment to both social work and dance, Adjoa strives to make a positive difference in the community.