About
Rooted in love. Growing together.
Welcome to Embrace Waynesboro, a community hub where we come together to share resources, build relationship, and co-create local solutions that work. Whether you need a hand or want to lend one… you belong here.
Our Mission
GATHER. NURTURE. SHARE.
Embrace Waynesboro exists to bring people together to nurture a strong, just, and resilient community through the compassionate sharing of resources and experiences.
OUR VISION: We envision a connected and compassionate Waynesboro where every neighbor is valued, resources are shared freely, and all people have the opportunity to flourish.
OUR APPROACH: We transform donated spaces in churches and under-used facilities into vibrant centers of community-led development. Every Embrace Center starts by listening to local volices and growing programs from the ground up.
OUR PRINCIPLES: Do no harm. Do all the good you can. Lavishly and unconditionally share love.
our values
Compassion
We respond to the needs of our neighbors with empathy, kindness, and care, recognizing the inherent dignity of every person.
Community-Led Change
We believe those closest to the challenges are best equipped to design the solutions. We listen first, and support grassroots leadership.
Equity
We commit to justice and fairness by removing barriers, addressing systemic inequities, and creating inclusive spaces where all are welcome and valued.
Collaboration
We build partnerships across sectors and invite diverse voices to the table, knowing that we are stronger and more effective together.
Stewardship
We use resources wisely, repurpose sacred spaces for community good, and invest in sustainable solutions that serve today and future generations.
Innovation
We are a learning organization — experimenting, adapting, and sharing what works to create effective, replicable models of community transformation.
Integrity
We operate with transparency, accountability, and a deep sense of responsibility to those we serve and those who support our mission.
Faith in Action
We live out our values by doing good, doing no harm, and sharing love — reflecting the sacred call to serve others through our daily work.
Kaye Shaner, CCHW
Community Assistance & Action Network Director, Community Garden Manager
Anyone who has been blessed by the Community Gardens at Embrace Waynesboro has been blessed by Kaye. A former nutrition educator with Virginia Cooperative Extension, Kaye has tirelessly worked to ensure our neighbors have good things to eat. Thankfully for us, that wasn’t enough for Kaye. After her retirement, she joined her husband, Keith, at SAW CAN, which she now leads.
Reem Mohammed CCHW,
CAN Associate Director, CAN Case Manager
When it comes to community health work and resource navigation, Reem is all in. In addition to her work as the associate director of Embrace Waynesboro’s CAN Help Desk, she trains CHWs through the Institute for Innovation in Health and Human services at James Madison University. Reem and her husband, Harith, are helping expand our medical clinic to provide service to our Arabic-speaking neighbors.
Keith Shaner, CCHW, PRS
CAN Case Management Lead, Peer Recovery Specialist
After more than two decades of service in the U.S. Navy and a career in beverage distribution, Keith showed up at Embrace one day to see how he could help. Fortunately for us and our community, he never left! As our Veterans Affairs Specialist, Keith serves as our lead Community Health Worker, a Peer Recovery Specialist, and is a CHW ambassador for Virginia CHW Association. He’s also one of the nicest guys around.
Rev. Joe Klotz,
Board of Directors Laision
As the one with the checkbook, Joe makes sure the Embrace team has what we need to keep the door open and lights on. Better yet, he does so with great joy and enthusiasm. Always willing to lend a hand, an ear, or a shoulder, Joe is known to drop into the office to ensure that we are focused on one thing: having fun. A retired United Methodist minister, he also makes sure we stay grounded in the whys of what we do, and that we do so with dignity and compassion.
Sue George
CAN Resource Navigator
Sue may not have known what she was getting into when she embraced Embrace before it was even Embrace. As our longest-serving volunteer, Sue works with our CAN help desk where she manages data and ensures neighbors are connected to critical resources.
Marylin Ryan
Food Pantry Coordinator
Marylin is a retired school administrator whose ability to get things done is only dwarfed by her compassion. Under her care, our clothing closets have expanded and we’ve opened a food pantry to serve visitors to our twice-monthly medical clinic. Where there’s a need, there’s Marylin!
Chris Manno
Hospitality Coordinator, CAN Case Manager
Chris is into everything at Embrace. From managing our clothing closets and providing language support to helping neighbors through our CAN Help Desk, she is always willing to lend a hand and make sure her neighbors and her co-workers know they are loved.
Jason Sorrells
Facilities Team
A proud veteran of the U.S. Marines, Jason keeps our building standing just as strong and proud. Where there’s a need, he can be found pitching in. As a Community Health Worker Apprentice, Jason is working side-by-side with Keith to ensure that our area’s veterans have what they need to thrive.
Jenelle Watson
Executive Director
Jenelle is our primary stirrer of good trouble who finds joy in equipping her co-workers to realize their community dreams. She is married to her best friend, Roger, mom to three incredible adults and their spouses, and is a devoted Christ follower.
contact us
CURIOUS? INSPIRED?
READY TO JUMP IN?
Everyone is invited.
To join the Embrace family as a volunteer; learn how you can support us with your time, talents, or financial contribution; or for more information contact:
email Embrace Director