MEET THE TEAM

Joel Furrow

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

joel@therootcellar.org

  • Before joining The Root Cellar's ministry in Lewiston in 2012, Joel implemented and directed the Bridging the Gap Juvenile Diversion program in Boston, MA serving nearly 100 juvenile offenders annually.

    Early in this career, Joel was impacted greatly by work within refugee communities in Amman, Jordan and Clarkston, GA. He discovered God's great love for these vulnerable communities as well as the gift that refugees and immigrants offer to a welcoming city.

    Joel is a graduate of Liberty University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Religion with a concentration in Intercultural Studies, Islam and Arabic. Joel and his lovely wife Hilary live in Wales, ME raising 3 beautiful, wicked smaht daughters and a baby boy.

Alyssa McKay

PROGRAM MANAGER, LEWISTON

alyssa@therootcellar.org

  • In 2011 after completing high school, Alyssa took a hop, skip and a jump from San Diego, where she was born and raised, to Lewiston to attend Bates College, majoring in Chemistry, Psychology, soccer and track. Jesus and the kiddos downtown tugged on her heart to stay after graduation. Calling Lewiston home has brought her much joy as she learns of God alongside His children by working, playing, growing and gathering together.

    Alyssa and her husband Jared live in Auburn with their two boys.

    In her words, “I just love the Lew!”

Alyssa Reiff

INTERIM PROGRAM MANAGER, PORTLAND

alyssareiff@therootcellar.org

  • Alyssa has been a program coordinator with The Root Cellar since 2022. Alyssa is committed to serving people with the love of Christ through The Root Cellar's programs and is dedicated to holistically meeting needs in the city of Portland. She is a graduate from Messiah University with a degree in Politics and International Relations. Alyssa is from New Hampshire and enjoys going there on the weekends to see family or take a hike in the White Mountains.

Emily Bollinger

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COORDINATOR

emily@therootcellar.org

  • Emily completed a year of volunteer service with The Root Cellar and then 4 years later, God called her back to join the team at the beginning of 2020 as the Finance and Administrative Coordinator. Because she works at both locations, Emily has been able to get to know the staff and volunteers in each location and she has loved to see how God has connected them together. She enjoys getting to know our neighbors and their stories. Emily loves the opportunities that living in the city gives her to experience "normal” life with our neighbors. Walking down the street and being able to say hi to people by name is a highlight of living in the city. Through these relationships, she has experienced more of God’s love and peace. In her free time, she enjoys singing and hanging out with family and friends, including playing table games or outdoor sports.

Martha Bucher

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, LEWISTON

martha@therootcellar.org

Damon Crouse

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, LEWISTON

Damon @therootcellar.org

Michael (Fitz) Fitzpatrick

IMMIGRANT FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST, LEWISTON

fitz@therootcellar.org

  • Fitz came to Lewiston in March of 2024 after experiencing a few short glimpses of the ministry here in previous summers. After meeting the people and seeing the need, especially as a person with Brasilian roots he became very interested in working at The Root Cellar after getting the chance to connect with so many Portuguese speakers. Fitz is an Immigrant Family Support Specialist, assisting people in whatever trials or hurdles come their way. Fitz equips volunteers through Church Welcome Teams and is developing an Immigrant Orientation class for those newly arrived. Fitz loves living in this community and learning it more everyday. Fitz enjoys spending time with his family, running, and staying active in nature while not working.

Myra Ashley Woodard

ENGLISH PROGRAM COORDINATOR

myrashley@therootcellar.org

  • In the summer of 2022, Myra Ashley and her husband, Levi, moved to Portland to support a church in the area. Soon after, Myra Ashley began volunteering with the English program at The Root Cellar and became passionate about The Root Cellar’s mission to love their neighbors by meeting real needs. She came on staff in 2023 as the English Program Coordinator, and enjoys learning alongside English students and their families from all over the world.

    She graduated from Truett McConnell University with a degree in Music Education, and, in her free time, Myra Ashley enjoys hiking, singing, and settling down with a good book.