TRAILS Ministries, Inc Hires New Executive Director

Beaver Falls, PA – TRAILS Ministries has hired a new Executive Director who began with the organization in August of 2025.  The Board of Directors are excited to welcome Tamara L. Collier to the team.  Tamara served as the Community Outreach Specialist, Reentry Coordinator and Diversity Coordinator with the U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania for 14.5 years.  

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Tamara’s brings key experience to the table that will help lead TRAILS in the years ahead. She is a dedicated proponent of reentrants in support of their successful return to their communities. During her tenure with the U. S. Attorney’s Office, Tamara was key in launching the Western District’s Life Coaching Program and served as a life coach.  She has been a valued member of the Western District’s Veterans Court (reentry) and BRIDGES Court (diversion) teams since their inception.  Tamara is also a member of the District’s RISE Court (reentry) team. In addition to her reentry-supporting efforts throughout the Western District, Tamara serves on both the Executive and Operational Leadership Teams for the Allegheny County Anchored Reentry Coalition (“ACAR”). ACAR’s focus is unifying and improving reentry support in Allegheny County and, thus, reducing recidivism.  Tamara has been key and insistent upon elevating the voices, skills and leadership of reentrants beginning with ACAR’s leadership team and throughout its overall membership. Tamara is also a member of the Pennsylvania Reentry Council (“PARC”).

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Tamara has also been a champion of prevention, unity and community support through youth outreach and community polices relations, which previously included facilitating the Western District’s Community Police Relations Groups (“CPRG”) in Pittsburgh and Erie and the Downtown Safety Coalition (DSC).  She also helps to facilitate the Beaver County Community and Law Enforcement Coalition (“BCCLEC) and is a member of the WPIAL’s Equity Advisory Council.

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In August, 2020, Tamara convened the Trauma-Informed Care Group, now known as the Trauma Liberation Collective (“TLC”) to bring together local trauma experts and supporters to lead the efforts of establishing a trauma-informed initiative in Allegheny County.  The primary focus of the TLC has been to educate regarding, reduce the stigma of seeking help for, and promote the healing of the unaddressed trauma within Allegheny County’s Black communities.

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Within her own community, Tamara is the co-creator and coordinator of Tiger Talk at Beaver Falls High School.  Tiger Talk brings in alumni from various career paths and lived experiences to engage and mentor students several times during their 9th grade school year. 

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“Tamara brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our organization. We are excited to see the growing impact she can have on Beaver Falls and the broader Beaver County Community,” said Tara Verrico, member of TRAILS Board of Directors.  “Her network of connections, dedication to community, and strong faith commitments are a wonderful addition to TRAILS.”

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Tamara’s greatest and most-treasured accomplishment is being the proud, single parent of three young men: Brandon, is a graduate of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and attained his master’s degree from Penn State Harrisburg; Trey is a graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, attained his master’s degree from Geneva College; and Shane is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a rapper/producer who owns his own masters. She is also the proud and grateful grandmother of five grandchildren.  

The TRAILS reentry project is a holistic, faith-based approach to assisting those impacted directly or indirectly by the trauma of incarceration. This process begins during an individual's incarceration, for both themselves and their families, and continues through the redeeming processes of restoration and reunification.