At Angels LLC, strong leadership and compassionate support shape every aspect of our residential program. Our Chief Executive Officer sets the direction with a clear commitment to well-being and progress. Day-to-day operations are overseen by the Assistant Program Director, who helps maintain a responsive and structured environment for each resident. Emotional and spiritual care is available through our Chaplain, who offers meaningful support in times of need. In addition, our trained therapy dog brings comfort and connection, helping the boys feel grounded and at ease. Together, our team works to create a stable, encouraging space where healing can take place.
Kathy DeShazo-Jackson CEO / PRESIDENT
Kathy has more than forty-five years’ experience as a mental health professional. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, University College, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education from Wayland Baptist University and a Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is licensed to practice in Virginia as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has expertise and certification in Child Welfare, Play Therapy, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavior, and Family Systems Therapy; Loss and Grief, and Trauma-Informed Therapy and Spirituality-Based Therapy.
Kathy has served as the CEO and Owner of Angels LLC since 2012, wherein she has established and directed administrative operational policies and procedures; served as Clinical Director of Boys and Girls Residential Facilities, Intensive In-Home, Mental Health Skill Building, Crisis Stabilization, and other mental health programs. Kathy has extensive experience as a Mental Health Consultant and Clinical Supervisor. Additionally, her work experience includes: Supervisor, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Landstuhl Army Medical Center; Academy of Health Sciences Professor of Behavioral Science and Drug and Alcohol; Department of Social Services Foster Care Social Worker and Equal Opportunity Representative. As a Supervisor, Military Psychiatry and Research Assistant at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Kathy served as a research assistant for Operation Restore Hope and Operation Desert Storm Family Follow-up Protocol/Studies; Co-author of several publications, including “Observations of a Human Dimensions Research Team in Somalia During Operation Restore Hope” (Paper presented at the biannual meeting of the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society, Baltimore, October 1993).
Kathy is a Retired Army Veteran who has been recognized and awarded numerous badges, citations, ribbons, commendations, and medals, including numerous meritorious service medals, Army commendation and achievement medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Humanitarian Service Medal.
Kathy is a native of Henrico County, VA, where she graduated from Douglas Freeman High School. She enjoys giving back to the community, hosting furniture, clothing, and food drives. She has been a lifelong advocate of justice, equity, and equality for all and participates in several advocacy organizations. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and church family. Kathy enjoys traveling, horseback riding, hiking, gardening, cooking, reading, tai chi, dancing, water sports, including fishing and sailing.
Rev. James O. Jackson III Senior Chaplain
Reverend James O. Jackson, III is a native of Richmond, VA and a graduate of J.R. Tucker High School in Henrico County. Rev. Jackson studied at Virginia Union University under the Evan Smith Program of Theology in a continuing education format. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1989. Two years later, he received his calling to preach the Gospel. In 1991, he became a Licensed Minister, and in 2012, Rev. Jackson became an Ordained Minister.
Rev. Jackson currently serves as the Senior Chaplain at Angels, LLC. He has served as Chaplain for Gospel Jail Ministry at Pamunkey Regional Jail, Henrico, and James River Juvenile Detention Center. He loves preaching the gospel and has been an active member of the church, serving as the New Member’s Minister, as well as the Children and Youth Leader and Minister at multiple churches for over 33 years.
Rev. Jackson is an experienced, compassionate, enthusiastic, and energetic Minister dedicated to providing spiritual care, religious education, pastoral support, and counseling to children, youth, and adults of diverse religious practices and traditions. He enjoys inspiring and leading young people through life’s journeys. He devotes his time volunteering to those in need of food, clothing, furniture, funds, and other basic essentials. He always has a Word from God to share as a means of hope and inspiration. A philosophy he lives by is: “If I can help somebody along the way, then my living will not be in vain.”
Rev. Jackson loves sports, including car racing, wrestling, boxing, baseball, basketball, and football; he’s a proud Steelers fan. He has coached the Chesterfield County Baseball Little League and served as one of the head football coaches for the Henning Athletic Association. Rev. Jackson values and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Brenda D. Roots Assistant Program Director
Brenda Roots is a dedicated mental health professional with over 30 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults across therapeutic settings. She holds a Master of Social Work (Clinical) from Virginia Commonwealth University and is registered as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (Child/Adolescent) with the Virginia Department of Health Professions.
In addition to her work in behavioral health, Brenda serves as an ordained minister and Associate Pastor at Faith Community Baptist Church in Richmond, where she also leads the Discipleship Ministry. She is the founder of Eleazar Care and Counseling Ministry, where she blends faith-based support with emotional and mental health resources.
Brenda is passionate about mentorship, spiritual care, and community involvement. She finds joy in gardening, photography, exploring nature, and playing word games.
Thor Therapy Companion
Thor is a certified Animal-Assisted Therapy Dog and a beloved part of the Angels LLC family. A Portuguese Water Dog with extensive obedience and agility training, Thor has been providing comfort and companionship for over a decade.
With a calm temperament and gentle presence, he supports emotional well-being through daily interactions with residents. Known for his intelligence, loyalty, and fun-loving nature, Thor brings a joyful energy to the home and helps foster trust and connection among the boys.
He especially enjoys showing off his tricks, searching for his favorite ball, and spending time with anyone in need of a smile.