Veterans and members of the armed forces now have a place to receive training for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test, meet with recruiters, receive career training or simply socialize and work out.

Phase 4 Learning Center’s Tom Reed Armed Forces Career & Veterans Center, which opened in 2022, is scheduled to formally open its newly expanded facility in late 2024 or early next year. However, many veterans, members of the military and their families are taking advantage of its services and facilities now.

The center, located at 5850 Centre Ave. in Shadyside, was a dream of the late Tom Reed and his wife, Terrie Suica-Reed. The two, who met while working together at a car dealership in the early 1990s, never served in the military. But they had always shared a commitment to individuals and families in need, especially military families and veterans.

“We are grateful to be able to give back to those who give every day of their life,” Suica-Reed said.

The center’s mission began 30 years ago, when Suica-Reed was a student teacher attending Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. While assigned to Harding Middle School, she looked to help one of her students, Merle Thompson, then 12.

“He was a kid who knew the streets and how to survive, but just needed help with school,” she said.

Suica-Reed, who lives in Georgetown, Beaver County, adopted Merle Thompson in 1994. Now 42, he currently works with his mother at Phase 4 as a drug and alcohol counselor, trauma counselor and admissions counselor to the workforce program.

The Reeds opened a career center in 2003 with the goal of transforming lives. Their focus was to help at-risk and disadvantaged youth to complete high school, receive their diploma and decide on a career path. First comes acceptance, they said, “and then you begin to transform lives.”

Phase 4’s first alternative education program was for six students in the Brentwood Borough School District. Dr. Anne Stephens, who was then the district superintendent, is currently Phase 4 board chair.

Other education centers opened and more youth started coming to Phase 4. One of those was John Herold, a self-described “misguided” youth from Glassport who ended up at a Phase 4 center that was then in Century III Mall. He’s now Army Master Sgt. John Herold, 38, and lives in Southern Pines, N.C.

Herold dropped out of high school, but was later ordered to go back and finish his diploma. Phase 4 allowed him to earn his degree.

“Ms. Reed was one of the best parts of Phase 4,” he said in a phone interview. “She was on site every day and was so patient with the children. She truly cared — even when we didn’t care about ourselves.”

After getting his diploma and a couple of “starts and stops,” Herold enlisted in the Army. As a parachute rigger, he is responsible for making, maintaining and repairing parachutes.

Herold met his wife, Katrina, at parachute jumping facility while preparing to train operators in aerial skill sets for a special mission unit in 2015. She had taken a year off after graduating from college and was spending three months learning to parachute jump.

They stayed in touch after her three months of training. She spent six months traveling the United States in an RV and then three months backpacking in Southeast Asia. They reconnected when she returned, got married in 2018 and have a 3-year-old girl, Ava, and a 1-year-old boy, Aiden.

Herold’s 18-year career with the Army has taken him all over the United States and the world. He even met President Barack Obama in 2014 at the 70th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France.

In 2005, Phase 4 expanded its scope beyond at-risk students after the Reeds got to know Army Col. Robert Wade. In 2006, they established a partnership and Phase 4 became a Center of Influence for the Army, supporting all branches, active duty as well as veterans and their families.

“Approximately 10% of our student body or their family members will enlist in the armed forces,” said Suica-Reed.

Throughout the years, Phase 4 has continued to partner with the military and veterans organizations. Shortly after Reed died in December 2021, the Phase 4 Tom Reed Armed Forces Career Center opened on Centre Avenue. 

By partnering with the Best Buy Teen Tech Center and The Clubhouse Network, a Boston-based nonprofit that received an endowment from The Heinz Endowments, Phase 4 was able to offer independent technology training and support programs in 20 countries.

As of 2024, over 25,000 youth have participated in Phase 4 educational, social, workforce and military programs statewide. Phase 4 has four Pittsburgh area locations and one location in Harrisburg.

Most recently, Suica-Reed was appointed as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, one of the highest honors a civilian can receive from the Department of Defense and Army. While she was officially sworn in at the end of July, her investiture will be in September at the Pentagon. She will support Christine Wormuth, Secretary of the Army.

“It’s the highest honor I’ve ever had. It’s an honor to serve,” Suica-Reed said.

She plans to continue her work with Phase 4, focusing on building new connections and expanding services for at-risk youth, members of the armed forces and their families.

Herold is one of many people who are grateful for Suica-Reed and her unwavering commitment.

“Not everyone is a success story, but if you can help a small percentage, then it is well worth it,” he said.

Abby Kirkland (abbykirkland77@gmail.com) is a freelance writer living in Mt. Lebanon.

First Published: August 28, 2024, 9:30 a.m.