United by tragedy, with paths crossed and lives all-at-once intertwined, as we walked down this broken journey together.
Who We Are:
We are the parents, siblings, students, children, classmates, and spouses of those killed in the largest mass shooting on a college campus ever in our nation’s history. We are the survivors of mass shooting violence. We’ve walked this journey. We know it well. We know what it’s like to navigate horror of this magnitude.
We also know what it’s like to have found a network of support in one another. Without the love and concern, compassion and empathy, of each person knitted into our own patch-worked group, we never could have made it through, which is precisely why we’ve created VTVCare. We know the road isn't easy. But there can be a way. We’re here to help you find your own road toward recovery and resilience.
Our Board
Jody McQuade
President
I joined the VTV Family Outreach Foundation about 14 years ago and have been in numerous positions…secretary, treasurer and now President. I’m very honored to have been voted into this position and, having served in the other positions, I’m well versed in all areas of the Foundation. While being President is very demanding, I also was a Peer Supporter and Outreach Organizer for the Disaster Distress Helpline’s Online Peer Support Program for Survivors of Mass Violence. I have dedicated myself to compassion & empathy as a peer supporter. My primary functions included providing emotional support to a group of over 2,300 survivors of mass violence across the United States along with psychoeducational resources and ongoing collaboration with our associated crisis and intervention care team, the Response Crisis Center. Unfortunately that facebook community was terminated due to lack of funding, but have no fear, along with myself, Deac Michelsohn, Crissy Raymond, Tori Tauzin & Holly Helpner, all board members, we created the Survivors in Solidarity facebook community. In addition to continuing my work as a Realtor/Broker in New Jersey for 35+ years, I was just hired by the Response Crisis Center for 988.
I have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. After Sean was shot at Virginia Tech, he continued his education at Rutgers University where he received his PhD. Ryan also pursued his education and received his PhD from Oregon State University and Morgan continued her education at LaSalle University and received a Masters in Speech Pathology. Sean & Morgan live close to me but Ryan stayed in Oregon with his wife and son. So proud of all they have achieved after such a devastating incident. We all understand that life can change in an instant, so we have lived to make the best of every day.
Joe Samaha
Vice President of Development and Victim-Survivor Advocacy
A life-long resident of Northern Virginia, Joe graduated from Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School in 1973 and from American University in 1977. Married to his wife, Mona, in 1982, the couple had three children: Omar, Randa, and Reema. The Samaha’s have resided in Centreville since 1987.
Since the Virginia Tech tragedy, Joe and Mona have established scholarships and funds, including the Angel Fund, in memory of their daughter, Reema. Joe has been a tireless advocate on behalf of the Virginia Tech families and other survivors. He serves as the first president of VTVFOF. Joe is currently a consultant/speaker with OVCTTAC (Office for Victims of Crime -Training and Technical Assistance Training), has received training in crisis response, and serves as a consultant to the Medical University of South Carolina – National Mass Violence and Victim Resource Center.
Deac Michelsohn
Vice President
Deac Michelsohn is the engagement coordinator and trained peer supporter for the Survivors of Mass Violence Online Peer Support Community through the Disaster Distress Helpline. Committed to advocating the needs of survivors, Deac is dedicated to raising awareness for mass violence prevention. Deac holds two degrees from Salem State University both in Early Childhood Education and History. In addition to their professional life, Deac is a mother to a 3-year-old named Winnie. Deac and Winnie live with their partner Amanda and a miniature schnauzer named Max in Austin, Texas.
Alec Calhoun
Alec Calhoun is a 2008 graduate of Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics. Originally from Waynesboro, Virginia, Alec now lives and works in Raleigh, North Carolina as a hydraulic system engineer for compact construction equipment. He hopes to serve the Board in promoting campus safety, and honoring the memories of those we lost in 2007.
Barbara La Porte
Barbara has watched the VTV Family Outreach Foundation grow over the years into an established organization with hands reaching across the aisles to forge new alliances in the areas of campus safety. She applauds all of VTV’s endeavors and hopes to contribute to its future growth as a well-recognized advocate for the well-being of students. She would like to direct some of VTV’s attention to educating young adults and families on wellness and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. Barbara believes we all need to have awareness and education in order to achieve early intervention and support initiatives.
Her proudest title is simply “Mom.” She has one treasure in heaven, Matthew, and one treasure beside her, Priscilla. Barbara learned to be their advocate, and in turn she wants to help the children of others. She’s been an office manager for an architectural firm for 14 years. She recently received her Master’s degree in Theology. The pursuit of this degree challenged Barbara to look beyond herself and to find wholeness by the giving of herself to others.
Greg Pass
Greg retired from the Prince William County Police Department, located in the Washington, D.C. National Capital Region (NCR). During his assignment as an Assistant Commander for the department’s full-time SWAT team, he served on several regional committees tasked with preparing for Active Shooter and Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks within the NCR.
He instructs tactical command and terrorist attack response courses in the United States and overseas as part of the U.S. Department of State Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program and the Louisiana State University NCBRT Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education.
As a part of a mass attack research project, Greg has interviewed survivors from active shooter and terrorist attacks throughout the world. In addition, he has interviewed over 150 combat veterans as a part of the Voices of Freedom Project at the National Museum of Americans in Wartime.
Greg served with the 24th Infantry Division during Operation Desert Storm. He and his wife reside in Virginia and are the proud parents of a daughter who is attending college. Greg is an avid hiker and summited Mount Kilimanjaro.
Joseph Herbstritt
Joseph is an environmental engineer, musician, and outdoor enthusiast living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In 2007, while Joseph was studying at Penn State University, his older brother Jeremy lost his life in the Virginia Tech tragedy. Joseph now serves the VTV Board to promote a message of peace and comfort to those in the wake of tragedy as well as working to make our cities, schools, and public spaces safe for all.
Crissy Raymond
Crissy Raymond is a trained peer supporter for the Survivors of Mass Violence Online Peer Support Community through the Disaster Distress Helpline, as well as a case manager for adults with mental health and addictions. She graduated from the University of Connecticut (UCONN) in 2017 with an Animal Science degree and is currently in school for her Master of Social Work. She enjoys working with animals, which led her to volunteer at a Therapeutic Riding Center in Bristol, CT.
Holly Hepner
Holly Hepner is dedicated to raising awareness and helping people affected by violence. Holly is a survivor of mass violence as well as a survivor of in-home gun violence. Holly was a trained peer supporter for the Survivors of Mass Violence Online Peer Support Community, and she also spent 7 years working with Alzheimer's patients in a senior living community.
Holly's life experiences have committed her to helping vulnerable populations and advocating for their needs. Holly is the mother of two adult sons, and lives in Colorado Springs with her husband Jason.
Paul Kurosawa
Paul is a survivor of the VT shooting and hopes to be able to bring some assistance to those impacted by mass violence through VTVCares. He is an IT professional and currently a stay-at-home-dad spending his time with his newborn daughter, Luca. He also has a wife who is a web developer focused on assisting those with varying disabilities to have access to academic materials online. The board has offered him a chance of changing his perspective from 'victim' to 'advocate' in the aftermath of the violence. He also hopes to use this to set an example for the rest of his family who has seen more than its fair share of tragedy through the generations. Paul and his family have set up residence outside of Raleigh, NC near all of his siblings.
Victoria Tauzin
As a survivor of mass violence, Victoria is dedicated to helping others especially those impacted by mass violence. She is a trained peer supporter for the Survivors of Mass Violence Online Peer Support Community, a copywriter, a freelance writer, and she holds a Master’s in English.
Victoria lives in Lafayette, Louisiana. When not writing or helping others she can be found spending time outside with family, friends, and her dog Cypress.
It all began with an idea.
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