Volunteer Spotlight
Rachel Bowers was at a point in her career here it would have been easy to stay on the same path. After 22 years with Lasting Change, she had moved up to a Vice President role with Crosswinds, the company’s behavioral-health division.
However, in 2025, an opportunity came up to join the Pierceton Woods Academy team—and for Bowers, it represented a chance for even more meaningful work.
“I love Crosswinds, but this opportunity was just tugging at my heart,” Bowers says. “I’ve always had a passion for Pierceton Woods, and this feels like my mission.”
Bowers now serves as Director of PWA’s SABER, (Substance Abuse, Behavioral and Emotional Regulation) program. During her initial months on the job, she focused on getting to know the Pierceton Woods staff and the young men in their care. To date, she’s been most impressed by the breadth of services Pierceton Woods provides.
“We have a great vocational program, which teaches them skills that will serve them well when they leave Pierceton Woods. They’re in therapy throughout the week and they learn independent living skills. We have intramural sports, which allows them to compete against other residential program teams. There’s a lot of opportunity.”
Still, however, Bowers knows that Pierceton Woods remains somewhat of a well-kept secret, which leads to assumptions about its students. She’s working to change that, conversation by conversation, starting with people she knows well.
“I ask people to remember that they’re just kids,” Bowers explains. “Some are as young as 13. I also share what I see from being in touch with the boys. The vast majority of them are receptive to what they learn at Pierceton Woods, and they want something more for themselves.”
Bowers also encourages others to understand that the boys at Pierceton Woods don’t have much guidance growing up, and they desperately need it in order to reach their potential.
“They often don’t have support beyond the walls of Pierceton Woods,” Bowers says. “So, when someone judges them or shuts them out, it’s just one more person that’s turned their back on them. But while they’re here, they want to get better.”
While her new position can be incredibly challenging, Bowers says she’s ultimately motivated by this opportunity to change minds and hearts, whether it’s helping the boys see hope for a better future or helping the community see that they deserve a second chance.
“I wish everybody could spend a day with these boys.” She says. “I have zero regrets. My heart has just been overwhelmed coming here.”
