Mission
To empower individuals and families through comprehensive case management and confidence-boosting makeovers, connecting them to housing, employment, healthcare, and personal care services that restore vitality and support long-term self-sufficiency.
Vision
A future where every person’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are met—empowering them to rise beyond hardship with, living with purpose, independence, and renewed vitality.
What We Do
At REACH One Foundation, our integrated support initiatives are rooted in the belief that true transformation begins with both inner strength and outward confidence. Our comprehensive services—such as case management, mental health support, job training and placement, healthcare access, education, and spiritual growth—are designed to address the complex challenges of homelessness and poverty.
A key component of our approach is the makeover experience, which goes beyond physical transformation. By restoring self-esteem and confidence, we empower individuals to take bold steps toward a brighter future. This personalized service is an essential part of a holistic strategy that enables clients to not only find stability but thrive in their personal and professional lives.
Together, these initiatives form a coordinated, impactful response to homelessness, guiding individuals on their journey to self-sufficiency with dignity, support, and renewed vitality.
Our Journey to Empower Others
In August 2023, REACH One Foundation received official recognition from the United States Government as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The acronym REACH, representing Reintegrate, Encourage, Acclimate, Change, and Help, embodies the foundation's commitment to extending support beyond barriers of race, age, ethnicity, gender, and the reasons for hardship.
Mission and Values
REACH One Foundation's mission is to reach out to the downtrodden, homeless, severely impoverished, or those on a negative path. The focus is on helping individuals reestablish themselves by initially boosting their self-esteem and creating an external transformation that aids in their acclimation to society. The foundation aims to connect individuals with resources that set them on a path of reintegration and purposeful living.
The belief that looking good leads to feeling good underlines the REACH One Foundation's approach. The organization strives to change the way individuals perceive themselves by altering their self-image positively. The transformative experience is intended not only to enhance self-esteem but also to increase self-worth, instilling a drive that emotionally empowers individuals and positively impacts their lives.
The origins of REACH One Foundation can be traced back to a time before Keona and Jay crossed paths. Independently, both were actively involved in community service through street ministries, prison outreach, working with children, and providing essential services such as food and haircuts to the homeless.
The year 2016 marked a significant turning point when Jay collaborated with the Salvation Army to provide haircuts to the homeless. This annual commitment on Thanksgiving and Christmas laid the foundation for what was to come. In 2019, the pivotal meeting between Jay and Keona occurred, solidifying their shared desire to contribute to positive change.
As 2020 unfolded, Keona joined Jay in his efforts to support the homeless, providing invaluable assistance. The duo began strategic planning in 2021, aiming for a more visible impact on creating positive change. In 2022, they organized a small business expo to bring together the community after the challenges posed by COVID-19. This served as a precursor to the formal establishment of REACH One Foundation, which became a reality in March 2023.
Meet our Team
Jay Hudson
Jay Hudson, a Milwaukee native turned Arizona resident, is a man on a mission to make a lasting impact on the world. As the owner of East Valley Styles Barbershop/Salon and the President and CEO of both the Reach One Foundation and TheCutBus Luxury mobile barbershop, Jay is a dynamic force driving change and transformation. With a heart firmly rooted in community empowerment and a deep understanding of the struggles faced by marginalized individuals, Jay's commitment to making a difference truly shines through. During his time in Milwaukee, he was frequently invited to speak in prisons, addressing groups of men across Wisconsin, delivering messages of hope, reformation, and reconciliation. It was during these experiences that he realized the power of personal transformation and the importance of providing second chances. Motivated by a desire to uplift those society often overlooks, Jay helped to establish the Reach One Foundation. The organization's name symbolizes its mission to Reintegrate, Encourage, Acclimate, Change, and Help individuals who have faced adversity. In addition to his impactful work within the community, Jay is also the creative mind behind TheCutBus, a luxury mobile barbershop that brings top-notch grooming services to clients wherever they may be. With every endeavor he undertakes, Jay inspires others to strive for greatness and embrace the power of transformation.
Keona Shorter
Keona Shorter, a distinguished educator and developmental psychologist, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as the Program Director of the REACH One Foundation. With a passion for both education and psychology, Keona has dedicated her career to understanding and nurturing the developmental needs of individuals. As the owner of TP Educational Therapy Services, she extends her impact beyond the classroom, providing crucial support to new business start-ups through curriculum planning, business planning, and structural guidance. Keona's dual roles as an entrepreneur and a champion for education align seamlessly with REACH One's mission to uplift the downtrodden, as she actively contributes to the foundation's efforts in providing essential resources and opportunities as a dedicated case manager. Keona Shorter stands as a beacon of inspiration, showcasing the transformative power of education and mentorship in fostering positive change within communities.
