TEAM RIVER RUNNER – JOHNSON CITY
The Johnson City chapter of TRR is active and growing. We would love to have you and your family join our organization! We have pool sessions weekly in the cooler months and river training during the warm summer days. We look forward to meeting you and seeing you on the river!
JOINING TRR JOHNSON CITY:
Our organization is for Veterans and their families. Please email the chapter coordinator, David Shields at david.shields@teamriverrunner.org.
We also have a Facebook group page – click here. All our activities are posted there. Please request to join and someone will contact you about the organization.
MORE ABOUT TRR JC:
POOL SESSIONS: Pool sessions are held at the Center for Physical Activities at East Tennessee State University during the cooler months. Check the Facebook page for the schedule. If you haven’t filled out a paddler/staff info sheet, please let a volunteer know. Same goes for release forms (DSUSA, VA, and media)
RIVER SESSIONS: During the summer, we go to the Nolichucky River for park and play sessions or downriver trips. Paper work MUST be completed and brought with you if you haven’t already completed it at a pool session. River trips are planned throughout the spring, summer and fall. These trips are typically announced on Facebook. Please join TRR Johnson City Facebook for last minute updates on pool sessions, river trips, and more!
Committe Co-Chair
Vanessa A. Jones is a dynamic force dedicated to fostering
inclusivity, encouraging discussion, and promoting a culture of
belonging in the outdoor sports community. Hailing from
Washington, DC, she brings a wealth of diverse experiences and
perspectives to her endeavors.
As a US Army veteran and ordained Chaplain with a focus on
seniors and caretakers, Vanessa is deeply committed to serving
others. Her work as a patient-caretaker advocate reflects her
passion for supporting vulnerable populations and ensuring their
voices are heard.
Currently, Vanessa is employed by a resettlement agency, where
she confronts challenges head-on with resilience and
compassion. As a single, Black woman veteran, she embraces
the unique hurdles she faces, viewing them as opportunities for
growth and empowerment.
In her downtime, she wears many hats, including that of a
missionary, spreading hope and positivity wherever she goes.
Weekends are spent paddling, immersing herself in West African
dance and finding solace and joy in nature’s embrace.
Vanessa is committed to equitable principles, ensuring that
everyone’s opinions are valued and heard. Through her
unwavering dedication and inclusive leadership, Vanessa is
paving the way for a more equitable and diverse outdoor sports
landscape.