Directors
Lisa Richardson Hall Founder, Rays of Hope
Director
Ms. Richardson Hall is the visionary founder of Rays of Hope (ROH), a youth-led community service organization dedicated to developing future leaders through service, advocacy, and civic engagement. Her passion for empowering young people stems from her own journey in service, beginning as a Girl Scout and later becoming a leader in her community. Recognizing a need for youth to have a platform where they could learn the value of giving back while developing leadership skills, she established ROH to provide meaningful opportunities for young people to make a tangible impact.
Since its founding, ROH has grown into a thriving organization with members from across Central Jersey, engaging youth ages 8–18 in initiatives that foster personal growth and community responsibility. Under Ms. Richardson Hall’s leadership, ROH has organized annual college tours, leadership workshops, and service projects ranging from food and clothing drives to prom dress collections for underserved youth. She has also guided young activists in organizing marches, petition campaigns, and forums that address pressing social issues, ensuring that youth have a voice in shaping their communities.
Beyond service, Ms. Richardson Hall has instilled in ROH members the belief that advocacy and civic engagement are key to long-term change. Her leadership has led to youth-driven initiatives, such as the campaign to end lunch shaming in New Jersey, which gained national attention. Through her unwavering dedication, she has created a space where young people can not only serve but also lead, speak up, and make lasting contributions to society. Through Rays of Hope, Ms. Richardson Hall continues to inspire the next generation, proving that when young people are empowered with the right tools and opportunities, they can be the driving force behind meaningful change.
Tyniesha Douglas
Assistant Director
Tyniesha is a dynamic and accomplished educator with more than 24 years of experience in teaching, leadership, and youth development. Throughout her distinguished career, she has served in multiple roles including Assistant Principal, Academic Supervisor for English, Social Studies, ELL, Music, Art, and Family & Consumer Sciences, District Supervisor of Language Arts for Grades 6–12, and English Teacher. Her professional journey reflects both depth and versatility across the educational spectrum.
At the core of her work is a deep passion for empowering young people. Tyniesha is dedicated to helping youth develop a heart to serve, the compassion to advocate, and the courage to lead. She has touched the lives of thousands of students as a and educator, administrator, club advisor, cheerleading coach, and mentor, supporting hundreds through their high school years and beyond into college and adulthood.
Her passion for service is equally evident in her community involvement. Tyniesha is the Founding President of the Jersey Shore Chapter of Mocha Moms, and has served as Program Director, Teen Advisor, and Lead Teen Advisor for the Jersey Shore Chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc. She is also an active member of the Zeta Epsilon Chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., where she currently serves as the 1st Anti-Basileus and launched the chapter’s Xinos Club mentoring group in 2023, serving as Youth Advisor.
Tyniesha holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is certified in the state of New Jersey as a School Administrator, Principal, Supervisor, and English Teacher.
At the heart of her achievements is her family. Tyniesha has been married to her husband for 22 years and is the proud mother of twin daughters and twin sons. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, watching movies, listening to music, attending Broadway shows, and, most of all, spending quality time with her family.