Our Vision
The Underprivileged Children’s Research Group strives to break the cycle of poverty and the effects of toxic stress on the youth of today in the hopes of creating successful adults tomorrow. UPCRG will provide Clinical skills training to help the youth identify and apply healthy coping skills to prevent alcohol and drug dependency. By providing Social skills training UPCRG expects to give children an understanding of social queues and how to apply boundaries in their daily interactions. Professional skills exposure will help to prepare children to enter the work environment rather than be a drain on social services resources. By exposing kids to new cultural events and situations, we hope to prepare them to handle the unknown with the right frame of mind rather than a cold shoulder. Finally, in an effort to introduce the youth we work to understanding the consequences of the choices they make in life. Every individual is important to our organization and we will not discriminate against anyone. By offering services that are concentrated on serving today’s youth and by providing them with the skills they need most, we can make a positive impact on those most in need.
We are committed to serving our community with respect and dignity through innovative collaborations that achieve results.
Our Values
Values of UPCRG:
- Innovation
- Results
- Collaboration
- Respect
- Responsiblity
- Resiliency
- Education
Values instilled in clients:
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Accountability
- Fun
- Courage
- Lifelong Learning
- Respect
- Discipline
- Self-Efficiency
- Teamwork
About the Founder
Mr. Beesley spent five years on active duty with the US Navy before going to school to get his degrees in Computer Science, Business, and eventually his MBA. He used his life experience and the knowledge he acquired in school to start several businesses before taking over Rockwell Development Center (RDC). RDC currently owns and operates four level III Residential treatment facilities for juveniles with mental health disorders associated with trauma and exposure to toxic stress.
Growing up, Mr. Beesley’s childhood was very challenging and he often says that he relates his childhood closely to that of the children in his group homes. While he was able to remain in control of his life and make progress towards his goals, he realizes not all youth exposed to these types and levels of stress can progress as he did. With that in mind, he created the Underprivileged Children’s Research Group as a way to positively affect youth who have encountered life-affecting levels of toxic stress.
Our Team
Andrew Miles
Andrew brings a diverse background to UPCRG. A graduate of Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, Andrew began working with children and teens with behavioral problems in 1994. For 5 years he gained exposure to the difficulties of how mental illnesses affect people, and how those without proper support can languish and even regress in their maturation processes.
After his initial work with adolescents, he gained experience in life through 5 years as a financial adviser/broker with American Express, 2 years in medical sales with Johnson & Johnson, 6 years consulting work doing competitive intelligence and pharmaceutical sales force analysis, 6 years working with prosecutors around the country to develop diversion programs designed to keep low-level/non-violent offenders out of jail, and then supported the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys’ efforts with the MacArthur Foundation Safety and Justice Challenge.
Andrew realized his heart was always with working with troubled youth and joined Rockwell Development Center in 2017. After rising through the ranks from direct care to Operations Manager, he jumped at the chance to lead UPCRG and forge new paths with the UPCRG mission. His broad base of experience allows him to piece together knowledge and training he’s experienced in a way that can be related to UPCRG clients, helping them on their journey to becoming independent, productive, and successful members of society.
Dr. Brianna Nelson
Brianna comes to UPCRG as a native from Wyoming with 17 years of experience working with kids of all ages across multiple educational settings. She received her undergraduate degree from Chadron State College in Nebraska in K-12 Physical Education & Health Education, Adapted Physical Education and Coaching Endorsements in 2003. For 5 years she taught at a Title 1 school in Omaha, Nebraska where she worked with underprivileged middle school students to meet high academic standards.
In 2008, Brianna returned to her home state of Wyoming, and continued to teach and coach at the high school level. In 2009, she helped to establish UPLIFT, a summer camp program for kids age 8-13 diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, to develop strategies and skills to be successful across all settings in their daily life. In 2010, she received her Master’s Degree from Walden University in Education, and continued to impact the lives of children through the role of Lead K-12 Physical Education/Health Education Curriculum Director, and Assistant Principal at a local high school.
In 2014, Brianna moved to North Carolina, and taught children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, behavioral disorders, and mental illness in grades K-3. Brianna joined Rockwell Development Center in 2019 as Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Training Specialist, and quickly jumped on board with the chance to once again work with at risk children through the work of Underprivileged Children’s Research Group. She received her Doctorate Degree in Education in 2019 from Walden University.
Brianna specializes in behavioral strategies and interventions, curriculum development, instructional strategies for children and adults, and assessment using qualitative and quantitative methodology.