Meet The Rob's place staff!
Ellen Criswell - Owner, Director & Instructor
Ellen Criswell is the wife of Lee Criswell & mother of Alayna & Emilee. Ellen worked in the Monroe County School System for 10 years, working with special needs teens in the ACCESS department. While working at Mary Persons, she watched many students come & go over the years. Most of her students had no where to go after they graduated from high-school & they unfortunately ended up 'graduating to the couch'. With no where for these students to go, Ellen had the idea to step back from MP and quickly began growing her dream. Once they graduated, she started a day program within her home with Robert & a few other students during the day and in 2019. That same year she came up with Rob's Place, named after Robert. Then, in 2020, Rob's Place found a home here in Forsyth & opened its doors. Rob's Place started with a handful of clients its first year & 6 years since opening it has now served over 40+ clients.
Mary shepard - Assistant Director & Instructor
Mary Clay has been involved with our community since 2014, when she was President of Best Buddies at Mary Persons High School! After graduating from MP in 2015, she continued her education at Valdosta State University. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a minor in Public Administration.
When she’s not at Rob's Place she enjoys spending time with her husband + fur babies, reading or going to concerts!
Mary Clay started working for Rob's Place in February of 2026 & has already created such a difference in the lives of the individuals who attend our program.
Contact Mary via email at: maryshepard@robsplaceforsyth.org
Emilee Criswell - office & program manager
Emilee Criswell is the second daughter of Lee & Ellen Criswell. Emilee graduated with honors from Mary Persons High School in 2022. Emilee has been working at Rob's Place since 2020 when she started helping her mom part time while in school. Since graduating in 2022, Emilee has started working full time at Rob's Place. Emilee assists our non-profit foundation by keeping track of donations & she also cares for our clients in our day to day operations.
Contact Emilee via email at: emileecriswell@robsplaceforsyth.org
Tasha Bradham- direct support professional
bio here
Alayna Neal - Chief operations officer
Alayna is the first daughter of Lee & Ellen Criswell. Alayna studied psychology at Gordon State College, after her graduation from Mary Persons High School in 2018. She graduated from GSC in 2021 with a degree in Human Psychology. Alayna has been working at Rob's Place since 2021, where she now holds the role of COO.