Dr. Donna Rogers, Ph.D

Biography



Passion is an attitude of the heart; it is an attitude that affects the entire life of a person and controls his or her response to life. This attitude gives people a sense of confidence, faith, and belief in possibilities and pushes them to accomplish their internal beliefs and ideas by way of external actions.



The external affairs of a nation are a reflection of the condition of the hearts of the people. God gives us certain internal and external characteristics that enable us to fulfill our God-given purpose, and many people in history have displayed passion and the necessary characteristics to help those most in need.



Dr. Donna Rogers realized this passion within herself, and it propelled her to establish a social service organization in her hometown of Decatur, IL.



Extended Hands dba Reasonable Service (RS) began in 2005 as an expansion of the original United Harvest Distribution outreach program which originated in 1992. This not-for-profit organization was founded by Donna Rogers after traveling to the continent of Africa. As a result of that mission trip, she experienced a heartfelt compassion and growing awareness of the plight of mankind. Extended Hands is an extension of the Father’s hand, “Touching Hearts and Changing Lives.”



Dr. Rogers' trip to Africa fuels her mission of helping individuals and families who are trapped in the cycle of poverty, substance abuse, and homelessness. Furthermore, she has helped many incarcerated women by traveling hundreds of miles yearly to meet with and teach the women valuable life skills necessary to transition back into society.



Dr. Rogers also established a food pantry to help with the growing presence of hunger in our community. Likewise, she provided clothing assistance, mentoring, family counseling, drug counseling, and youth programs (summer youth employment, summer camps, summer feedings, and service learning hours for high school students) to counteract the cycle of poverty exasperated by the lack of education and employment skills.



In 2013, RS services were expanded to Tampa, Florida to help combat homelessness. Through key partnerships throughout Tampa, FL, RS is able to help impact those hungry and homeless.



Furthermore, the RS organization provides volunteer opportunities to youth and adults through its participation in community events held in Decatur, IL as well as Tampa, FL. These opportunities contribute to keeping Dr. Rogers attuned to the needs that are prevalent in our communities and has resulted in the RS organization serving over 8,000 individuals and families annually.



Dr. Rogers' vision is to provide a fully-funded social service area that cares for the whole person and to provide what is necessary to improve lives.