About Us
Learn more about our mission, what drives us, our programs, and the talented board behind it all!
Our mission
We seek to provide much needed assistance to children and families affected by substance abuse. We realize the need for more resources for families in NE Ohio and around the country. We seek to close that gap and be the connection between these resources and families in need.
What Drives Us?
Inspired by the memory of Sheena Moore.
Keys to Serenity was founded in memory of Sheena Moore. Sheena was lost due to overdose in 2016. Through tragedy Brenda founded ‘Keys to Serenity’. She realized through her own experience the lack of services and resources in general there are for families dealing with a loss due to substance abuse. Since founding Keys to Serenity Brenda has worked year in and year out to ensure no family going through these unimaginable tragedy ever feels like they are alone or helpless. As she says ‘Sheen would not want us to cry but fight instead”. This is her way of fighting. Through kids programs and family services as well as lobbying for laws and regulations related to the opioid epidemic. Keys to Serenity works closely with The Packard Institute, Akron Say No to Dope, & Ohio Can Summit County to create a network of programs and resources to assist families through all stages of addiction.
More About Sheena
Sheena was a daughter, sister, & mother. She loved being a mom to her Son Wyatt, the beautiful boy she left behind.Sheena worked hard as a STNA. She gave her clients excellent care and the upmost respect while caring for them. Sheena was also a skilled fisherman and had been a Master Angler for FIVE years!
Sheena was very open about her struggle with addiction and did her best to educate others on social media about how addiction felt through the eyes of an addict. After many years of sobriety Sheena unfortunately succumb to her addiction and passed away in June of 2016.Sheena would have insisted on continuing her passion for educating and helping families struggling with addiction. She would have wanted people to know that this is a lifelong disease and how relapse is common. Sheen hated her addiction and believed that she would never turn back to that tough path she walked before. She always said Heroin was like a monkey on her back, always calling her name, especially when life got tough.
Through this foundation we wish to carry on Sheenas mission to educate and assist others struggling with the same battle. Sheena would not want us to cry but to fight. Fight for a brighter, safe, and more healthy tomorrow.
Helping families affected by substance abuse since 2016.
Our Vision
“Through our programs, services, and our state wide network of partners we wish to ensure no family or child affected by substance abuse feels alone. Whether it be navigating the judicial system or coordinating memorial arrangements, we are here for you.”
Our Programs
Keys Kids Program
Our Kids Progam focuses on the children in families affected by substance abuse. We seek to provides days of love and connection for these childrean and their families. We do this through programs, events, and giveaways. Our hope is that we can show these children that someone (or a groups of people) out there cares about them. Our program is only growing bigger every year. Make sure you sign up for our newsletter so you dont miss out on this years kids events.
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Keys Family Program
Our Healthy Family Program focuses on the entire family unit. We understand that the effects and struggles of addiction are exponential, and its not only the children that need a community of support. Through the pandemic we had to temporarily postpone thi program but in 2022 we have many, resource days, support groups, and other events for the entire family. We still also provide assitance, support, and resources for families dealing with the court system inlcuding children custody issues.
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Keys Kinship Program
Our kinship program provides resources & meetings to grandparents and other adults caring for children due to addiction in the home. As kinship care providers ourselves we understand how hard this can be. We hope that our resources and meetings can help make things a little easier as well as help to create a close knit community of kinship care providers.Â
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Executive Board
Founder/Director
Brenda Cameron-Ryan
In 2016 after a loss of her own Brenda founded Keys to Serenity. She knew 1st hand the pain of losing a loved one due to an overdose as well as the lack of assistance there was for families going through this type of tragedy. Brenda has tirelessly worked since 2016 on behalf of the children and families affected by the opioid epidemic through programs, services, and collaborations with other local addiction focused non-profits. She not only runs Keys to Serenity but frequently travels to the Ohio State House to represent these families in lobbying for bills related to the opioid epidemic. Brenda is an influential figure in Akron and Ohio as a whole for her key role in the fight against addiction and overdoses.
brenda@keys2serenity.org
Vice President
Jason Moore
Jason is the son of Brenda and has been working in the background of Keys as an original board member since the loss of his sister in 2016. In 2020 Jason became Vice President of Keys. As a Sales professional and Owner of Moore Sales and Marketing, he brings his professional knowledge to the organizations functionality and operations to ensure Brendas vision of Keys continuously growing and building programs to help as many families impacted by addiction as possible.Â
jmoore@keys2serenity.org
Treasurer/Event Coordinator
Kenyona “Sunny” Matthews
ksmatthews@finalfarewellproject.com
Secretary
David Brooks
David Brooks is a local business owner and entrepreneur who specializes in nonprofit & small business consulting. David is a part of Royal Heir Entertainment; An international, multi-platinum entertainment company focusing on Media, Marketing, and Distribution. He is also co-owner of the Akron Aviators, Akron Ohio’s premier semi-pro basketball team as well as owns 36 North Consulting, an Akron based consulting company. Most of David’s clients are non-profits. David assists Keys to Serenity with media, PR, content, grants, sponsorships and general advising.
Advisory Board
Raynard Packard
Founder and Director of The Packard Institute (www.thepackardinstitute.com). Northeast Ohio’s premiere integrated clinical counseling and peer recovery support agency. He has been in clinical practice for 29 years, providing clinical counseling for many generations of area families. Raynard completed Master’s studies in counseling at Ashland Theological Seminary and the University of Akron, and his Doctoral studies in clinical psychology at California Southern University. Raynard assists with grants, and serves as an advisor on our board.
Anthony Gomez
Anthony Gomez is serving his second term on the Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education. Through his work on the board he connected with Brenda and became passionate about the work she does. He is honored to serve on her board to advance this important work for our community.
Gail Miller
Bio Coming Soon.
Nikki Alden
Michelle Pixley
Kayla Parker
Tamara Cummings
Tamara Cummings has her social work degree and works as a Supervisor of a Chemical Dependency program with a local non profit. Ms Cummings has volunteered and worked along side a multitude of community organizations that strive to provide equality and justice to all people regardless of their race or ethnicity. Tamara believes that cultural competency and awareness is critical when working with the disenfranchised and minority populations. Ongoing education as well as immersion in different cultures is how Ms. Cummings maintains her awareness of specific issues that plague the diverse populations she works with.