SARAH’s Way Foundation, Inc.
About SWF
History
A board of directors formed SARAH's Way Foundation and has been in the development and planning phase since Fall 2023; it was incorporated in March 2024 and officially launched in March 2025. All volunteer board members are either residents of Prince William, Virginia, or current or former employees of a PWC business. The President and acting Executive Director, Mr. James M. Gaines, was inspired to establish the organization by his late mother, Mrs. Sarah Henry. Sarah was a native of Charlotte Courthouse who maintained a strong religious faith which made her a pillar of the community for children and African Americans. She consistently invested the time, energy, and money she could to guide children and help her neighbors, whether by providing a meal, shelter, sound advice, or a general helping hand. Mr. Gaines has recruited a volunteer Board of Directors to help him establish a foundation that carries on his mother’s charitable legacy.
Meet the Board
Mr. James M. Gaines, President & Executive Director
Mr. Gaines established his own family and career in Prince William County in the Spring of 1989. He is a Virginia native, leading a 35-year career as a federal contractor of Virginia’s DBVI. He is an expert in Food Service Management, operating various contracts, including educational and military dining facilities and vending solutions for public and private institutions. Mr. Gaines formerly provided private catering, events management, and commercial cleaning services, while mentoring and inspiring fellow visually impaired entrepreneurs. He currently operates food and vending services in multiple locations of Quantico Marine Corps Base, and he has recruited and appointed the following volunteer Board of Directors, and long-time colleagues/friends to assist in the planning, development, and expansion of the foundation.
Larry Forney, Vice President of Operations
Mr. Forney is a career federal contractor, with expertise in Food Service Operations Management. He has led a 20+ career in federal food service. He is a Maryland resident, employed at a Northern Virginia business.
Virginia Ford, Vice President of Programs
“Kitty” (as most affectionately call her) is an Ordained Minister of Faith & Worship, recently retired from a 30-year career in health care, and is a published author of Christian novels. She holds a degree in Health Care Administration and is currently pursuing a B.A. in Business. She is a Virginia native and resident, employed as a General Manager at a Prince William County business.
Darsheen Simmons, Treasurer
Ms. Simmons maintains a career in administrative support and as a dedicated Medical Caregiver. She has a talent for AR/AP, marketing, and unwavering dedication to helping others. She is a Virginia native, resident of Prince William County, and a mother to PWCPS students.
Kristen Murray, Development Coordinator
Kristen H. Murray started her career as a direct response copywriter for various advertising agencies in New York City, Richmond, VA, and Washington, DC. Her clients included Disney Vacation Club, pharmaceutical drugs, tax publications for CPAs, Camel Cigarettes, an Antique Gun Collectors club, and Johnnie Walker (basically, she was the ATF of direct response). After being a stay-at-home mom (albeit with hard gigs like being a three-time Girl Scout Cookie Mom and a Santa’s Elf for Gander Mountain), Kris returned to work as a grant proposal writer. Here, she worked at a mental health nonprofit, two arts nonprofits, and a government contractor (ask her about working with 200-column/50,000 row excel spreadsheets). Kristen received her BA in English literature from the University of Connecticut with her Jr. year abroad at Oxford where she met her husband. Kristen has lived in Woodbridge VA for over 20 years with her British husband whom she has married five times (so far) and never divorced. Her interests include cooking, reading, watching a broad spectrum of documentaries, nature photography, and trying to convince her adult children to give her grandchildren.