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IT TAKES A VILLAGE
ACTION ORGANIZATION, INC.
About Us
Transforming hearts, changing lives, and altering destinies.
Our mission is to transform the overall well-being of the Buffalo community by connecting, engaging, and developing effective relationship strategies for sustainability in health, literacy, training, and employment.
Our Vision
We want to move people from APATHY to ACTIVITY by providing comprehensive services that are culturally sensitive, person-centered, competent, and specific to the needs of the individual in order to promote a productive, healthy community.
We use a holistic approach to problem-solving and rehabilitation as foundational aspect of ITAV's training philosophy that incorporates the following motivational underpinnings for successful, long-term employability: engaging, enriching, encouraging, enhancing, enlightening, enriching, energizing, ensuring, equipping, entrusting, educating, and empowering.
Meet The Team
Beverly Newkirk
Founder & Executive Director
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​Since starting ITAV in 2010, Beverly Newkirk has empowered over 2,000 individuals in WNY to move from lives of poverty or addiction and destitution to gratitude and contribution to society. She believes in a holistic approach to educate and rehabilitate the whole person - body, spirit, and mind.
Before starting ITAV, Beverly worked as a Family Intensive Specialist at the Buffalo Urban League for five years to help families at risk of falling into the foster care system. She has also worked as a counselor for Northwest Community Center Advantage After-school Program and Every Person Influences Children (EPIC). She has also been a program outreach coordinator for the Girl Scouts Council of Buffalo and Erie County and the Director of Prime Time Youth at the St. Augustine Community Center.
With a degree in Business Administration, Beverly has worked for the Recruitment and Training Program in Buffalo, Millard Fillmore Hospital, WNY Institute for Psychotherapy, and Health Care Plan Moser Medical Center.
All of these experiences and skills converge at It Takes a Village, where Beverly fosters a family-centered learning environment open to all in need.
Beverly is a recipient of the Senator Tim Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Joan Malone Award from the Coalition for Economic Justice, and various community service awards from organizations such as Back to Basics, Women Making History, and Jessie Clipper Post. She currently serves on a variety of boards to promote justice, progress, and civil rights in the community.
Tonya Johnson
Senior Administrator
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Tonya Johnson was born in raised in Buffalo, New York. She graduated from McKinley high school with a Horticulture Diploma. She came to It Takes A Village Action Organization Inc. (I.T.A.V) in January 2016. After going through the 8 weeks of classes and not wanting to leave, she was inspired to give back to help and do more.
It Takes A Village Action Organization Inc. is exactly what it is "it takes a village" to move and create better for ourselves but it starts with you, you yourself wanting to make a change. One of her favorite quotes by Mark Twain and it states "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born in the day you find out why". Being born is one thing but to find out why is the ultimate gift!! So after she decided she didn't want to leave (I.T.A.V)
Ms. Beverly asked her to join the administration staff which is truly an honor because she loves meeting new people in helping them in any way she can. If she can help one person it's been a great day!!
Carrie Johnson
Senior Administrator
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​Carrie Johnson was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She graduated from McKinley High School in Mathematics and Science.
She joined IT Takes A Village Action Organization Inc. As a student and is currently apart of the Administrative staff. Being apart of the staff is not only a privilege, but also an honor, as She is able to pass on to others, what was poured into her. She wholeheartedly believes that Faith and a relationship with God plays a huge part in one's development and growth.
Coming from a background in Customer service and Childcare, She knew that she always had a love for People. Carrie is Driven and inspired by the idea of helping and encouraging people. Her passion coupled with the vision of I.T.A.V to help implement change to improve lives, allows her to work on her desire and goals - steadily creating personal growth but most importantly furthering her passion to serve others and give back.
Camilla Lee
Marketing Director
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Camilla Hobbs Lee was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. She graduated from Fosdick Masten Vocational High School and Medialle College with a BA in Business Administration. Camilla is also a Six Sigma Green Belt and is APICS CPIM certified.
After 36 years in Corporate America, Camilla went back to her love of photography. Her passion for people is evident in her wedding, sports, portrait and event photography.
She has one adult son, Tremayne Thomas of Atlanta, GA. On August 31, 2013 she married Sterling Russell Lee. With that union, three adult children and five grandchildren were added to her life.
Camilla is a photographer with the Communications Ministry at Elim Christian Fellowship where she has been a member since the church's inception. She is currently a volunteer with It Takes A Village Action Organization Inc. where she serves as the staff photographer and resume coach
Keith Scott
Education Coordinator
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Keith H Scott Jr. is the Education Coordinator for It Takes A Village action Organization. Keith began his work at It Takes A Village in May of 2015 where after he graduated from the class he became passionate about teaching the class. Quickly, Keith moved into the position of education Coordinator where he is able to use his creativity and gifting’s to develop the lesson plans that will impact the participant’s lives.
Since his time with It Takes A Village action organization Keith has impacted hundreds of people who come to the program looking to change their lives. Keith’s passion for helping and loving others makes him the perfect fit for the position and more than capable of fulfilling the It Takes A Village Mission.
Helping others and seeing the results of others changing their lives is what Keith lives for and he wanted to find a way to turn his passion into his career. In May of 2015 a member and relative of Keith’s Church told him about a program called “It Takes A Village Action Organization.” Keith decided to attend the program not knowing what to expect, but little did he know this would be the start of him building his career.
Modell Gault
Re-Entry Coordinator
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​Modell Gault, Jr. is a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving his country from 1967 - 1971 before receiving an Honorable Discharge. He is a former employee of the New York State Department of Correctional Services. From 1972 - 1978, Mr. Gault served as a Correction Officer at the Attica Correctional Facility.
Upon taking an Associate’s Degree in Mental Health from Erie Community College (ECC), Mr. Gault assumed various positions at healthcare institutions including Buffalo General Hospital, Brylin Rehabilitation Facility, Horizon Health Services, Erie County Medical Center Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Clinic and while at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation center he was a Rehabilitation Counselor.
Mr. Gault has also worked with emotionally challenged youth at the Father Baker Community Organization, Berkshire Farms, and the New York State Child and Family Services. Following his retirement in 2012, Modell was rehired at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center as a part time Counselor.
Mr. Gault takes pride in being a Community Activist in the City of Buffalo, a role he has performed for more than 20 years. His frequent trips to Egypt, Ghana and West Africa provided him with great amounts of historical knowledge that he loves to share with others. He is also a member of a village in Ghana, West Africa and conducts regular tours to Africa.