Dr. Rene Searles McClatchey

Dr. Rene Searles McClatchey, Ph.D., LCSW, graduated from the University of Lund in Sweden, with a degree in Foreign Languages. She received her master’s and Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Georgia. After a sojourn in hospice, where Rene developed children’s bereavement groups and grief camps and designed new tools for work with children experiencing grief, Rene left hospice and the clinical arena in 2003 to further her knowledge of children and grief through studies and research. In 2007 she began work at Kennesaw State University and after serving as the MSW Program Director for several years, she retired from the Department of Social Work and Human Services in 2021 as a professor emerita.

Rene has presented statewide, nationally and internationally at workshops and conferences on children and grief and has been interviewed on a number of occasions on national television as an expert in this area. She has published extensive research on the subject of childhood grief and is the author of the book “Bereavement Camps for Children and Adolescents: Planning, Curriculum and Evaluation.” She received and is currently managing a federal grant to prevent suicide and non-medical substance use among youth in rural areas. She also co-authored and helps manage a $4.45 million federal grant to help educate social workers to serve in the school system to help alleviate behavioral health issues among school children.

She is the founder of Camp MAGIK and was instrumental in forming the Georgia Society for Clinical Oncology Social Work, now named SWOG.

"I wanted to be the resource I needed when I was young and lost my dad. That’s why I keep doing this in hopes that it will benefit the families we serve.”

Rene enjoys camping, hiking, reading, and long distance cycling. She is the proud mother of two, bonus mother of three, and "mormor" to six.

Danielle Edwards

Danielle Edwards is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/therapist at Edwards Psychotherapy and Consulting, LLC located in Duluth, Ga., where her primary focus is helping people who have experienced loss and /or trauma. Danielle was introduced to Camp MAGIK when she spent her birthday weekend supporting an AMAZING group of grieving kids. As she sat under the stars with her campers it was a full-circle moment because as a child Danielle spent many nights looking up at the stars as she grieved the loss of her mother at the age of 9. Danielle couldn't think of a better way to celebrate her birthday and has been to almost every camp since her first weekend.

Danielle has a master’s in social work from The University of Georgia. There she focused on the role that faith plays in domestic violence interventions and grief and loss. Danielle has experience working with grieving children, domestic violence survivors and accountability courts. For many years she worked in the medical field helping individuals and families navigate the impact of chronic illness and end-of-life issues among themselves and their system. Danielle has a special interest in working with children affected by domestic violence homicides and their new families. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cheering for the New Orleans Saints, reading, eating good food and binge-watching good shows, so if you have any suggestions send them her way.

Bonnie Klopach, BS Ed., LMSW

Bonnie Klopach, BS Ed., LMSW is co-owner of Next Right Steps, a service that teaches and promotes independent life skills to those whose social, emotional, and behavioral issues have prevented them from reaching their full potential. She has over 10 years experience in the public school system working with kids on the autism spectrum. She received her Masters degree in social work from Kennesaw State University in 2014. This is where she met Dr. Rene and learned about Camp MAGIK. She volunteered the first time 2012 to “check it out.” Little did she know it would establish a permanent place in her heart. The work that Camp MAGIK, Dr. Rene, and the staff do for children dealing with grief is invaluable and a much needed step in the healing process. She is honored to be a part of such an amazing team, working with such incredible campers.

Casey Brazell

Casey Brazell, student, has been an avid volunteer ever since attending Camp MAGIK in April 2013 following the death of her parents. She is currently a senior in high school, however she is planning to attend college in the fall of 2016 and persue a degree in the field of social work.

When Casey is not volunteering at Camp MAGIK, she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her two dogs.

"I learn more about myself each time I attend, and I leave each camp with a changed perspective on life. I feel so fortunate to be given the opportunity to interact with such a great group of volunteers, not to mention the campers. Their smiles are so bright, you would never guess they were attending camp under such harsh circumstances."

Christiane Januszewski, NCC

Christiane Januszewski, NCC, has worked in the community counseling realm with both adults and children, but the majority of her career has been spent within the school system in Georgia, North Carolina, and Maryland. She has also worked with Pearson as a Scoring Director scoring National Board Exams for School Counselors. Christiane resides in Canton, GA and is currently taking some time to stay at home and enjoy precious moments with her husband, Garrick, and children Bella and Miles. Additionally, she is active in her church as well as a local epilepsy support group.

Christiane was invited to be a lead counselor at Camp MAGIK by a co-worker in 2004, and she fell in love! She enjoys working with the campers and their families and seeing how camp fosters a deeper communication and understanding between the campers and their loved ones and caregivers. Camp has been a blessing to her and she hopes that in turn she has been a blessing to the campers. “I look forward to watching each group of children experience the “magik” of camp while expanding their knowledge and skill set about grief.” She is proud to be part of a camp that provides a meaningful experience for children that lasts long after the weekend ends.

Carlen Franklin, LMSW

Carlen Franklin, LMSW received her master’s degree from Kennesaw State University in 2019. She currently works as a therapist at a Women’s Prison, where she leads groups on substance abuse, domestic violence, and past/ current relationship traumas.

She keeps coming back to camp because she loves being there for those who feel they have nobody to talk to. Interacting with the kids and the adults is such a full and rewarding experience. From the first time she came to camp she knew this was a place she would come back to because of all the amazing campers that attended. Her interests when she is not at camp MAGIK are hanging with family and friends.

Dana Linzy

Dana Linzy has a Master’s Degree in Counseling, and a Doctorate in Conflict Resolution & Ed Leadership. She has worked as a Mental Health Counselor, is a Certified Clinical Addictions Counselor, and has served as a High School Guidance Counselor for 20 years. She has a passion for working with teenagers and parents. She has served as a counselor for Camp MAGIK for several years and is always honored and humbled to have the privilege to work with these precious, brave campers.

Julie Justus, LCSW & Leia

Julie Justus, LCSW & Leia, are a registered pet therapy team and lifelong Camp MAGIK volunteers. Julie is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She is currently a school counselor at The Galloway school and also maintains a small private outpatient therapy practice with teens in Decatur, GA. She and Leia started working together in her years as a therapist at a residential treatment center for children, Hillside Hospital. Julie started volunteering at Camp MAGIK as a graduate student at the University of Georgia in the fall of 2015 and has attended and counseled at over 15 camps since. Leia joined in as a co-counselor in the fall of 2019 and she adores going to camp and meeting the very special campers. Camp MAGIK is the highlight of the season for Julie and Leia and they have been inspired and changed by all of the “magical” campers they have had the privilege to get to know.

Mark Iaderosa

Mark Iaderosa has been volunteering at Camp MAGIK since 2020 and enjoys working with all of the amazing campers and counselors. He loves supporting the kids during group time and playing games with them during free time. Mark is a loan officer who spends his days helping people buy their dream homes. When he’s not at Camp or working, Mark loves to watch sports (especially Pittsburgh teams), read history books, and play video games with friends.

Rachel Raven Iaderosa, LCSW

Rachel Raven Iaderosa, LCSW graduated from the University of Georgia in 2011 and received her Master’s in Social Work from Kennesaw State University in 2016. Since entering the social work field, Rachel has had diverse experience including hospital case management, child/adolescent grief counseling, and domestic violence survivor support. Additionally, Rachel volunteers annually at Give Kids the World Village in Orlando, which is an accessible resort for Make A Wish children and their families. Rachel started volunteering at Camp MAGIK in 2014 after meeting Dr. McClatchey and working as her graduate research assistant. “Getting to be a counselor and a small part of the campers’ healing journey is truly a privilege.” In her free time, Rachel loves reading, running, singing, and spending time with her husband Mark and their dog Sandy.

Teresa Snow

Teresa Snow is a native of Laurel, MS, who moved to Atlanta, GA in 1999 to pursue an education. Teresa has a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology. She has been volunteering with Camp MAGIK since 2019. She has a passion for working with children, youth, and adolescents and volunteering with the youth ministry at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and Lighthouse Refugee Christian Church. She enjoys being a mother to 3 beautiful girls (Jasmin, Markyla, and Madison).

Teresa loves Camp MAGIK because of the change it makes in every kid’s life. She was introduced to camp by a fellow counselor during her practicum years. Since the introduction, she has volunteered as a co-counselor every year. She appreciates the opportunity to witness the bonds that are made, and the joy camp brings to all campers and volunteers. Teresa says, “I enjoy seeing the creativity of the camp and how it brings a new level of healing to children who have lost so much.”

Heather Dietz-Smith, MSW

Heather Dietz-Smith, MSW, is a lead counselor at camp but also our program director. She has volunteered at camp since 1998, and she has worked as a social worker with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for close to two decades. Heather says, “I come back to camp because I feel tremendously honored to be a small part of the campers’ lives and grief journeys - to provide them with the space to process their grief and provide the tools to do it in a healthy way. I am constantly inspired by their courage to show up and the joy and love they maintain throughout it. Professionally, I have learned to much and camp has made me 10 times the therapist I would have been without it”. When Heather is not at work or volunteering with camp, she likes to hang out with her two sons, her dogs, and her friends.

Lisa Anger, LCSW

Lisa Anger, LCSW, received a Masters Degree in Social Work from SUNY at Stony Brook in 1989. She has worked as a psychotherapist and group facilitator at various drug and alcohol treatment centers in New York and Southern Florida, prior to relocating to Athens, GA in 1997. In Athens she has worked as a child and adolescent mental health counselor for NE GA Mental Health Center, and as a Student Support Counselor for the Clarke County High Schools. She is currently in private practice in downtown Athens, and is an adjunct instructor for the University of Georgia in the School of Social Work.

Lisa has been working as a camp counselor and group facilitator at Camp MAGIK since 2000. During this time, she has served as counselor for various age groups, from the very youngest to the oldest, and has enjoyed, as well as been inspired by, each one. Most recently she has been facilitating and assisting in coordinating the Adult Retreat and Workshop.

Lisa has many varied interests, including tennis and travel. She has a 24 year old son, who has volunteered at Camp MAGIK in the past, and she lives in Athens, Georgia with her dogs.

Marc Hirsch (Board Member)

Marc Hirsch: “I had heard about Camp MAGIK many years ago while on a bike ride with Dr. McClatchey’s daughter, Christina. The unique ingredients of kids, camp and grief clicked and I have been coming back ever since.”

Marc serves as a co-counselor and works with the teenage campers. “Grief is incredibly overwhelming and if you add the pressures of being a teen to that, it’s easy to understand how they can lose their way.” The Camp MAGIK process mixes group counseling sessions with fun team building activities that bonds the campers and creates an environment that allows them to learn not only from the counselors, but also the other campers. “I like to think of us counselors as planting seeds. Some of them sprout immediately and others take some time, but eventually they grow.”

Andre M. Danzy

Andre M. Danzy is a native of Chicago, Illinois, but he gained most of his social work experience in St. Louis, Missouri where he graduated from Saint Louis University. He provided case management supervision services as well as educational services at Blacks Assisting Blacks against AIDS. His work with HIV/AIDS clients also included instructional training with the American Red Cross as well as facilitation of support groups for persons living with HIV/AIDS including teens. He was appointed to the State of Missouri Governor’s Council on AIDS and served from 1994 to 1999. He served as board member for the state of Missouri office of Minority Health and worked as a resident manager and program coordinator for Doorways interfaith AIDS residence program in St. Louis. In Atlanta, he has served as the director of support services and housing at AID Gwinnett and served as Associate Regional Director for the American Friends Service Committee, a peace education organization. He also worked as a facilitator for Gwinnett Juvenile Courts providing education and prevention services to youth. Andre has served as the client services manager for the Office of Emergency and Transitional Housing Program of Fulton County where he supervised several homeless program initiatives and he has served as Advisory Board Member for AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta.

Presently Andre serves as Program Supervisor for Fulton County Government, Aging and Youth Services, Department Office of Children and Youth Programs. He is also a foster parent with the Department of Children and Family Services. Finally, he is the proud parent of Corey Ryan Gause, who attended Missouri State University and is currently serving in the United States Navy.

Shirley Bradshaw, LMSW

Shirley A Bradshaw, LMSW, received her degree from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She is a member of the Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) and has presented and led many workshops on children and grief. She currently works as a hospice social worker at Angels of Hope in LaGrange, Georgia. "I am committed to working with grieving children - no camp is ever the same. I tear up with the children every time. I walk away with so much gratitude for the opportunity to meet and serve our campers. In comparison to our campers' situations, my problems are so minor and I always look forward to the next camp."

Rebecca Searles Woofter (Board Member)

Rebecca Searles Woofter has been working with Camp MAGIK since its inception in 1995, at which time she served as the camp director’s "right hand". Rebecca is a Special Education teacher, teaching 7th grade math. She has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. "I look forward to each camp because I meet some of the most exceptional children. These kids have gone through so much in their young lives but they continue on with strength and determination. At camp their grief is normalized and they learn coping skills. They teach me to enjoy the little things in life and to appreciate every moment."

Rebecca served for many years as a co-counselor and now assists in the management of camp. Rebecca enjoys painting in acrylics, traveling, reading and playing tennis.

Christina Searles Tai (Board Member)

Christina Searles Tai, daughter of the Camp MAGIK founder as well as sister to our co-counselor Rebecca Searles Woofter, has been volunteering with Camp MAGIK since the beginning and after having volunteered as a co-counselor she is now involved in the fund raising for camp. When she's not spending her time helping out at camp, Christina works at her public relations and government affairs consulting company, which she founded while still a student at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Christina holds a BS in Management with a specialization in marketing from Georgia Tech. She has also studied international marketing at Jonkoping University’s International School of Business in Sweden.

Christina currently resides in Atlanta with her husband Brandon, son Stellan, daughter Tenley, and dog Lucy. She is the chair of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce Georgia. "I always look forward to meeting the campers at Camp MAGIK and feel that the campers teach the counselors more than we could ever teach them!!"

Tim D. Couch (Board Member)

Tim D. Couch has been a Camp MAGIK volunteer for over 15 years. He graduated from Greenville Technical College in 1984, majoring in Physical Therapy. His diversified background in physical therapy includes pediatric rehabilitation for various physical and emotional needs. He has been a community based volunteer for 20 years, including Laubach Literacy International; Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services and most recently Camp MAGIK. Tim has always enjoyed the various ways in which you can be a small but integral part of camp. "Each time at camp there are always children whose losses resonate the truest part of unspoken grief. If all I can do is stand beside them to let them know I care, then hopefully I am a small step in their healing process."

Tim currently is the Atlanta Administrator of Thomas Eye Group, one of the countries largest ophthalmology practices. He loves to travel, spend time with his cherished family and friends. He is the proud father of Daniel and also plays parent to his “big-boned” four legged child, Spot. Tim has several talents at camp, serving alternately as a counselor and unit leader.

Jason Evans

Jason Evans has been a Camp MAGIK volunteer since 2004 and loves working with kids of all ages. After spending several years in business with stints as a part-time actor in Atlanta, he decided to become a stay-at-home dad. This led him to help organize Atlanta Dad-2-Dad.

Jason loves Camp MAGIK because of the friendships formed and the personal growth he sees in every camper. Each camper is different and the kids teach everyone around them by sharing their experiences. Jason says "I love Camp MAGIK from the minute the kids arrive to the second they wave me goodbye because I’ve seen the strength they show, the emotions they feel and the hope they carry with them." Jason serves as a co-counselor as well as "emcee extraordinaire" of the talent show.

Jason enjoys raising his son, hiking and acting. He is an avid Alabama Crimson Tide fan.

Dr. Kennon McCollum

Dr. Kennon McCollum, DNP, APRN-BC is a nurse practitioner and doctor of nursing that has been working with Camp MAGIK since the fall of 2002. Kennon serves as the camp nurse whose duties include managing and administering medications to campers brought from their homes. During each camp session, Kennon is available for general first aid and is also present to provide medical and emotional support to campers in need. Kennon has been a registered nurse since 1991 and has many years of clinical experience in emergency medicine, critical care, and pulmonary medicine. He received his Masters in Nursing in 2002 and since that time has been working as a Nurse Practitioner in the areas of Hematology and Oncology. He also received his doctorate in Doctor Nursing Practice (DNP) in August of 2013 with a focus in cancer care. He has published articles related to various aspects of the cancer care continuum, and he now serves as adjunct nursing faculty for the University Of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing. Kennon is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the National Oncology Nursing Society, the Metro Atlanta chapter of Oncology Nursing Society, and Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society for Nursing. Kennon has a warm and caring heart for children who are affected by grief, and is diligent in ensuring that campers remain well and safe while attending camp.

Paige Kenway, RN

Paige Kenway, RN helps oversee the health care of the Camp MAGIK children for the duration of the camp. Paige has volunteered with Camp MAGIK since 2012 and waits with anticipation for each new camp to begin. Paige has a special place in her heart for bereaved children and their families and feels it is a calling from God to participate in the healing process. "It always amazes me to see the strength these children possess in the midst of tragedy. Often times the children come to the nurse for physical concerns but it's their emotional needs that need tending to. I love being able to participate in every aspect of their care, the physical and the emotional. I volunteer to help and extend my gifts but I always end up learning more from these children than they could ever learn from me. They are my heroes."  Paige has several years of clinical experience in the nursing field and currently works with oncology patients and their families.

In her spare time, Paige enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends and attending church.

Ron Finch

Ron Finch is originally from Denver, Colorado and has a license in Aircraft and Powerplant Engine Repair from Colorado Aero Tech. He worked for many years at Delta Airlines as a mechanic until his retirement. There he was also the President of “Wrenched Hearts”, Delta’s Grief Support Group for employees. Ron became aware of camp when his youngest daughter attended as a camper in 2001 and has volunteered with Camp MAGIK since 2016. He quickly embraced the “caring family atmosphere at camp.” “I eagerly returns each year to assist staff members and to aid each and every camper during a very critical time in their individual grief journeys. Ron is the father of three daughters, one son (deceased) and five grandchildren. He enjoys landscape painting, woodworking, sports, traveling and spending time with his family.

Kim Higgins, LCSW

Kim Higgins has her master degree in Social Work from The University of Georgia and worked as a social worker with Heyman Hospice Care at Floyd Medical Center for many years. She has a Certification and Fellowship in Thanatology and has volunteered at Camp MAGIK since 2008. At camp, Kim serves as a camp and unit leader. Kim has devoted her life to “helping people with their deepest struggles and worst hurts”, which brings her back to camp every year.

Bobby George

Bobby George, Kim’s husband and father of Robby, has been volunteering at camp since 2009. He has worked in the funeral business for many years, and has brought many skills to camp: nursing, barbequing, sewing, inflating balloons, running errands, etc. “I get satisfaction from helping those that need it most, and this is why I keep coming to camp”.

Robby

Robby is our youngest onsite volunteer. He started coming to camp before he was born. At camp, he helps with anything that he can: sweeping floors, stuffing pillow cases, filling water bottles, setting tables, etc. Robby enjoys and plays baseball. He also enjoys history and can tell you something about all the US Presidents!