Who We Are
In 1995, Rev. Howard Harris, Sr. founded RAIN on a simple belief: communities already have what they need to transform, they just need faith the size of a mustard seed and the right partners.
30 years later, that belief still drives everything we do.
Across Ohio and Central Florida, we walk alongside youth, families, and organizations, building on the strengths already present, deepening what's already working, and opening doors to what's possible. From youth development to family empowerment to nonprofit capacity building, every partnership we form is designed to help communities own what comes next.
We don't deliver programs. We build power.
Mission Statement
Empowering communities to build their own capacity, develop their youth, strengthen their families, and advance literacy for lasting self-determination.
Vision
Communities controlling their futures with dignity.
VALUES
TRUST
Building reliable relationships and providing a safe environment.
HOPE
Inspiring change and believing in a better future.
RESPECT
Honoring the dignity and worth of every individual.
INTEGRITY
Acting truthfully and doing the right thing.
VOICE
Advocating for needs and driving community change.
EMPATHY
Connecting with others and showing genuine care.
Our Strategy
01
CONSULT
We build nonprofit capacity through strategic partnerships and organizational infrastructure
02
DEVELOP
We empower youth through academic excellence, cultural identity, and leadership
03
STRENGTHEN
We support families through culturally-grounded education and economic empowerment
04
EDUCATE
We advance literacy through education, workforce readiness, and civic engagement
Our Outcomes
Community Organizations
We strengthen community led organizations with sustainable infrastructure and collaborative partnerships
Youth
We engage youth in culturally-relevant programs with strong identity and leadership skills
Families
We empower families with economic self-sufficiency and wealth-building strategies
Communities
We equip communities with literacy resources and civic skills for self-determined futures
Collective Impact
We multiply collective capacity through shared resources and community-controlled institutions
Our Team
Our team consists of highly qualified and motivated professionals, who are all experts in their field. With many years of experience in the industry, they have the expertise to provide comprehensive, first-rate services to our clients.
Rev. Howard Harris, Jr.
President/CEO
Rev. Howard Harris, Jr. is the President and CEO of Reaching All In Need, Inc. and an Ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene, whose life's work sits at the intersection of faith, social justice, and community transformation. A doctoral candidate at Northwind Theological Seminary, Howard has demonstrated what strategic, mission-driven leadership looks like in practice — turning a $300,000 church deficit into an $800,000 surplus and growing an afterschool program from 10 students to 72 during his tenure. As a skilled grant writer and nonprofit strategist, he has secured critical funding for programs serving underserved communities across Ohio and Central Florida. Howard is motivated by a deep conviction that lasting change is possible when communities are resourced, respected, and led well, a belief he inherited from his father and carries into every partnership RAIN builds. When he steps away from the work, you'll find him on a soccer field, on a trail, or in the middle of a video game that he takes just seriously enough to be dangerous.
Cynthia Ward
Clinical Director
Cynthia Ward, LISW-S, is a Columbus-based clinical social worker whose career spans mental health, child welfare, and substance use treatment across more than two decades of direct service and leadership. A West Virginia University graduate with both her BSW and MSW, Cynthia has served as a clinician, supervisor, grant writer, adjunct professor at institutions including The Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve, and a keynote speaker on topics ranging from infant mortality to community-based corrections. Since 2007, she has provided clinical care through OhioHealth's Wellness on Wheels program, earning the organization's Good Catch Award twice and the Franklin County ADAHM Board Resource Magnet Award for her impact. Cynthia is driven by an unwavering belief in the dignity of every person she serves — a value reflected in her active membership in the National Association of Black Social Workers, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. A proud wife, mother, and grandmother, Cynthia brings her whole self to this work because she has seen firsthand what access to the right support at the right time can change.
Jason Kirksey
Chief People Officer
Jason Kirksey brings a strong professional background of 24 years working as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter and agency owner. He's dedicated his career to advancing effective communication and accessibility for Deaf and hard-of-hearing adults and youth. He demonstrates a consistent commitment to excellence, reliability, and cultural competency across both community and professional settings. His passion for service is rooted in a desire to create meaningful impact, ensuring individuals are empowered, supported, and fully included. He is increasingly focused on mentoring and guiding younger generations, sharing knowledge, experience, and values that promote personal and professional growth. His work in the nonprofit sector is driven by a deep sense of purpose and responsibility to uplift others and strengthen communities through service. He is inspired by his wife, who has profoundly shaped his understanding of compassion, commitment, and love. In his personal time, he enjoys riding his Harley-Davidson, which provides balance and reflection outside of his professional responsibilities. Something quirky about him is that he is a very picky eater.
A Jay Pullen
Director of Compliance & Operations
A. Jay Pullen holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Colorado Christian University, and brings more than 15 years of experience working across at-risk youth services, mental health, social services, and youth ministry. His passion is specific — mentoring young African American males and walking alongside them as they build their futures — and it is that focus that grounds his commitment to nonprofit work as something far more than a career. Jay was shaped in large part by his grandfather, Professor John Rankin, a West Virginia historian and college professor whose dedication to education and community left a mark that still guides how Jay moves through the world. He is analytical by nature, someone who approaches challenges methodically and doesn't stop until the right answer is found. Those who work with Jay often notice he watches a lot of crime procedurals — what they eventually realize is that he's not just watching for entertainment, he's taking notes.
Frank J. Simmons II
Area Director, Toledo
Frank J. Simmons II brings a rare combination of historical perspective and legal training to his role as Area Director in Toledo, holding a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Juris Doctorate, both from the University of Toledo College of Law. Frank is driven by an unshakeable connection to community — one so deep he'll tell you plainly that a life without strong community ties isn't a life he'd want to live. Justice Thurgood Marshall is his hero, a reflection of Frank's lifelong commitment to justice, access, and the belief that systems should work for everyone. He is inspired daily by the people around him who live generously and refuse to overlook those in need. When Frank isn't serving his community family, there's a strong chance he's on the golf course — or watching sports, which, by his own admission, is basically a daily occurrence.
Rodney Ward
Site Director, Columbus
Rodney Ward grew up in Hinton, West Virginia, where the values of hard work, community, and personal integrity were instilled early — lessons he carries into his role as Site Director in Columbus every day. His path to nonprofit work is personal: having navigated many of the same challenges faced by the youth and families RAIN serves, Rodney brings a depth of understanding and genuine relatability that goes beyond professional training. He is inspired by his grandfather, a man who led by example and taught him the importance of character, proper conduct, and giving back. Off the clock, Rodney finds balance through fishing, golf, music, and sports — and those who know him well will tell you his workspace is always the most organized in the building. He shows up to this work not just as a director, but as someone who has lived the story and is committed to helping others write a better one.
Linda Johnson
Site Director, Toledo
Linda Johnson is a Toledo-based educator and Site Director whose academic background in Math and Reading Literacy reflects a lifelong belief that every young person deserves to understand their own value — and that it takes people from all walks of life to help them see it. Linda draws her deepest inspiration from the people she surrounds herself with and pours that same energy back into the youth and families she serves. Her father has been her greatest hero, modeling integrity, accountability, empathy, and compassion in ways that continue to shape how she leads and loves. Outside of work, Linda is most at home with family, her church community, and anything that sparks her creativity — music especially. She has a gift for capturing children's attention in ways that are unexpected and genuinely fun, which is either a talent or a superpower, depending on who you ask.
Carmen Williams
Youth Development Specialist, Akron
Carmen Williams is an Akron native and University of Akron graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, a Minor in Women's Studies, and advanced certifications in Christian Life Coaching and Health and Wellness, a combination that reflects her lifelong belief that healing happens when the whole person is seen and strengthened. Her career has been built around empowerment in its most practical form, from facilitating support groups at Akron's Battered Women's Shelter and Haven of Rest, to founding She Rise, a nonprofit dedicated to helping women walk in confidence and purpose. Carmen is a motivational speaker, published author of four books on self-awareness and personal development, certified Zumba and Fitness Instructor, and the owner of Fit Over It Life Coaching Services, channeling every gift she has toward the same goal of helping people claim their worth. She is driven by the conviction that being stuck is never the only option and that every person carries gifts the world genuinely needs. If you spend five minutes with Carmen, you will leave with more confidence than you arrived with and probably her famous words ringing in your ears: You got this.
RAIN Colloborations
RAIN works with a diverse range of organizations to build a stronger, more supportive community. These partnerships help us expand our reach, provide impactful services, and engage in initiatives that improve lives. Key partners include Nazarene Youth International USA/Canada, Mental and Emotional Wellness Centers of Ohio, and . Together, we drive positive change and foster belonging in the communities we serve.
Nazarene
Youth
International
RAIN partners with Nazarene Youth International (NYI) to support youth in their faith journey and personal development. Together, we offer programs like leadership retreats, camps, talent competitions and community-focused initiatives that empower young people to grow spiritually, emotionally, and socially. NYI’s mission to build lifelong relationships aligns with RAIN’s commitment to holistic community growth.
Mental and Emotional Wellness Centers of Ohio
RAIN partners with Mental and Emotional Wellness Centers of Ohio (MEWCO) to bridge the gap between community programs and clinical mental health care. MEWCO is a collaborative network of licensed practitioners dedicated to delivering excellent mental healthcare while investing in the professionals who provide it. Together, we ensure the families and youth we serve have a clear, supported pathway to the clinical care they need — because holistic transformation requires both community and clinical strength.