Select Past Projects
Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Valley Food Access Assessment (2025)
This assessment evaluated the quality of food access and feasibility across the 23,000 square-mile Matanuska-Susitna Borough of Alaska.Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis: Elevating the Voices of Young People (2024)
This research study examined the lived experiences of young people, aged 14-26, in Connecticut who were not connected to the workforce or education systems to explore the reasons behind their disconnection and interactions with other systems such as criminal justice, child welfare, housing, and healthcare.A Hope Lights the Way Research Grant (2023)
The Emmy® Award-winning documentary, A Hope That Lights The Way is both a community-based engagement process and a documentary that uplifts the impactful stories of people who have successfully overcome the numerous challenges posed by gun violence. By actively listening to community members and conducting focus group discussions with Black boys and men in Philadelphia, we’ve chronicled an ongoing narrative of progress and transformation. Shedding light on the leaders within local communities who are spearheading the development and preservation of hope, this documentary, in collaboration with Big Picture Alliance, JTWO Films, the Mayor’s Office of Youth Engagement, the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement, and Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs, prioritized building strong relationships between the City government and local organizations deeply invested in the well-being of Black boys and men. Recognizing the powerful legacy of community engagement among Philadelphia residents, we embrace our active role in reshaping the narrative about our neighborhoods and fostering a collective sense of empowerment. Click here to view documentary trailer!The Miseducation of Our Youth: A Qualitative Study Ascertaining the Lived Experiences of Urban and Appalachian Students (2021)
Using a qualitative research multiple case study approach, this research project examined the academic and social experiences of urban and Appalachian college graduates from Ohio’s Urban Eight and Appalachian regions.Ohio Extension Urban Counties Case Study Research Guidebook (2021)
The size, diversity, and complexity of urban communities creates unique challenges for Land-Grant University Extension units. Focusing on developing an approach to addressing Ohio’s urban influence by strengthening cities and urban-rural connections, this guidebook supported Ohio State University Extension in its 2020-2025 planning.
Regional Campuses Collaborative Initiative (2021)
This report summarized results from focus groups and interviews conducted with staff at The Ohio State University regarding the relationship and resource sharing between Ohio State Columbus campus and its 5 regional campuses, centered around programs and services offered by the Office of Student Life.Ohio State University Extension Crowdsourcing Report: Community Development (2020)
The purpose of this program review was to guide program development among Ohio State University Extension’s Community Development (CD) units over the next several years.A Program Evaluation of the Mentor-A-Buckeye Program (2018)
Established metrics and evaluated the effectiveness and success of the Mentor-A Buckeye program after the matriculation of its first cohort.An Analysis of the Cleveland Plan (2017)
Evaluated the effectiveness and success rate of the Cleveland Plan, based on metrics outlined by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Ohio Department of Education.A Program Evaluation of a College Wraparound Support Service (2016)
Examined and evaluated the benefits of a collegiate wraparound support service for students in an urban Ohio school district.
Select Program Development
The GroupChat: A Safe Philadelphia
Addressing Philadelphia’s most critical challenges requires deliberate action and effort. Thus, bringing together youth, educational institutions, and community partners to meet new people, share their experiences and ideas, and spend time listening and learning from one another is a crucial step toward building understanding in these challenging times to create a brighter and safer Philadelphia. The Groupchat: A Safe Philadelphia is a space dedicated to engaging young people in a community-wide conversation about keeping Philadelphia safe, and providing them with access to resources from the city and local partners. Via open and intentional dialogue, partners co-host a series of discussions that highlight the importance of Gen-Z and Gen Alpha voices, voting, and youth civic engagement to empower youth to imagine what Philadelphia can accomplish and look like when we come together toward a common cause and work to establish a city where everyone has a voice and seat at the table.Bridging the Gap
Bridging the Gap is a highly interactive exploratory program designed to help facilitate growth and development in high school students’ career exploration. The program works to create a space where participants experience and learn the value of education and are able to understand the connection to future careers. Participants are exposed to the various career opportunities within their communities and the importance of the choices they make in high school, as it relates to their career trajectories.BuckeyeREACH: COYC
Buckeye R.E.A.C.H., which stands for Relationships and Education in Action through Community and Hope is a program designed to reduce recidivism among juveniles by working with incarcerated juveniles in Ohio. Through bi-weekly programming consisting of pin pal letter writing, book clubs and discussions, academic projects, and mentoring, participating youth are able to develop and refine essential life and educational skills needed for successful reentry.
Select Training & Curriculum Development
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Online Motivational Interviewing Teaching Training Modules for National Diabetes Prevention Program
The Ohio State University | Adult-Youth Mentoring Training Modules for University-Community Engagement Partnerships
Tuerei Williams, M.Ed
Dr. Raven Lynch is a dedicated social work scholar, educator, and practitioner committed to advancing social change, community empowerment, and equitable opportunities. At Re/Val, she brings over a decade of experience in research, teaching, and practice, specializing in youth development, mixed race identities, and community engagement. Through research-driven strategies and program design, she helps organizations and communities develop impactful, evidence-based solutions.
With experience in behavioral health, program development, and leadership, Raven has worked with nonprofits, universities, and government and social service agencies to enhance services across communities. She has developed and evaluated mentoring and empowerment programs for youth, facilitated leadership development initiatives, and led community engagement efforts focused on community change. Her work integrates research and practice, using critical theory-driven interventions to improve outcomes for individuals and communities.
A seasoned educator, Raven has taught at Wright State University, Temple University, and The Ohio State University, where she has led over 17 different courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. She has received multiple teaching awards and played a key role in curriculum development, faculty training, and student success initiatives. Her research and expertise in identity, social justice, and youth development have been featured in academic discussions, national conferences, and community forums.
Dr. Lynch holds a Ph.D. in Social Work and an master of Social Work from The Ohio State University. She also has a B.A. in psychology.
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Raven is passionate about bridging research and practice and actively collaborates with organizations to design sustainable solutions for community impact. Outside of work, she enjoys mentoring students, volunteering, and engaging in community-driven initiatives.