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New Directions provides resources for the safety, healing, and freedom of individuals who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault while also offering preventive education to create an informed and supportive community.
New Directions envisions a community of empowered individuals engaging in safe, respectful, and healthy relationships.
Our commitment to inclusion across race, age, ability, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, identity, and experience drives us forward every day to provide free and confidential services to all types of survivors.
Our staff consists of dedicated individuals with a combined experience of over 80 years in the abuse intervention and prevention field. We seek to provide the best possible support and assistance to the women, men, and children of Knox County.
Title: Executive Director
Specializing in: Youth-Led Prevention and Community Education
New Directions start date: May 2018
Years in Social Service: 13
College attended: Youngstown State University
Top Five Character Strengths: Humor. Hope. Leadership. Honesty. Zest.
Mantra/favorite quote: You are not lost, you are redirecting. You are not a failure, you are learning. You are not behind, you are preparing. When things change inside you, things change around you.
Goal when working with a client: To empower them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to believe in themselves and know that they can achieve anything.
In my personal time, I love to: Spending time with my husband and 3 children, coaching Track and Field, taking photos, and camping, hiking, and kayaking.
My favorite musician/band: Jason Aldean
What I want people to know about me as a Prevention Educator: I strive to empower our youth to cultivate safe, equal, and non-violent relationships with themselves, their peers, and in the community. By engaging, encouraging, and empowering youth and community members to prevent dating violence, drug and alcohol use, and suicide, I hope to shape Knox County into a place where citizens do not tolerate violence, instead promote healthy, loving lifestyles.
Email Lindsey
Title: Director of Operations
New Directions start date: August 2019
Years in Social Service: 6
College attended: Kent State University for a Bachelor of Science; Walden University for a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Top Five Character Strengths: Kindness, Fairness, Leadership, Perseverance, Honesty
Mantra/favorite quote: "Be like a flower, survive the rain, but use it to grow."
Goal when working with a client: Providing a safe environment for the clients our agency serves and providing opportunities to gain awareness for domestic violence and sexual assault.
In my personal time, I love to: Travel with my husband and daughter, spend time with family and friends, and play with our four dogs.
My favorite musician/band: Halsey
What I want people to know about me as Director of Operations: I want people to know that I am here for them. I want the staff of our agency to feel supported and listened to. I want our clients and community to feel empowered and heard.
Email Katie
Title: Shelter & Housing Coordinator
Specializing in: Shelter and Housing
New Directions start date: July 2018
Years in Social Service: 3
College attended: Mount Vernon Nazarene University for a Bachelors in Social Work in 2018 and Indiana Wesleyan University for a Masters of Social Work in 2022.
Top Five Character Strengths: Kindness, Love of Learning, Fairness, Social Intelligence, Love
Mantra/favorite quote: Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we will ever do." -Brené Brown
Goal when working with a client: When working with clients, I hope they can feel worthy and deserving of respect, love, and safety. I hope they can feel empowered by their options and inspired with hope for their future.
In my personal time, I love to: Spend time with my pets, family, and friends, do yoga, and enjoy nature and music!
My favorite musician/band: Taylor Swift
What I want people to know about me as an Advocate: I want people to know that I am always eager to listen and happy to help where I can, and I am part of a team that truly seeks to empower others. Guilt and shame lose power in the presence of those who are caring, non-judgmental, and empathetic.
Email Bailey
Title: Survivor Services Coordinator
Specializing in: Sexual Violence & Campus Advocacy
New Directions start date: September 2015
Years in Social Service: 8
College attended: Bowling Green State University
Top Five Character Strengths: Love, Love of Learning, Bravery, Social Intelligence, Spirituality
Mantra/favorite quote: Nevertheless, she persisted
Goal when working with a client: To meet clients where they are in their trauma & empower them on their journey to healing
In my personal time, I love to: Spend time with my family
My favorite musician/band: Jimmy Buffet
What I want people to know about me as an Advocate: I am passionate about ending gender-based violence and helping survivors find their voice and healing process in a safe and judgment-free zone.
Email Lauren
Title: Youth Advocate
Specializing in: Youth/Family/Community
New Directions start date: July 2023
Years in Social Service: 7
College attended: University of Cincinnati
Top Five Character Strengths: Love, Honesty, Leadership, Bravery, Social Intelligence
Mantra/favorite quote: "Owning our story and loving ourselves through the process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do."
Goal when working with a client: To help them find healthy coping skills and learn how to manage emotions.
In my personal time, I love to: Read fantasy books and spend time with family.
My favorite musician/band: Kelsea Ballerini
What I want people to know about me as an Advocate: I want people to know that I am a safe person who will support them without judgment. I am here to help them explore and navigate their feelings.
Email Val
Title: Shelter Advocate
Specializing in: Emergency Shelter
New Directions start date: November 2021
College attended: Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Top Five Character Strengths: Honesty. Love. Fairness. Curiosity. Appreciation of beauty and excellence.
Mantra/favorite quote: "Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love." – Brené Brown
Goal when working with a client: To meet clients where they are at and to provide support in whatever way they need, and to create a safe and empowering space for survivors.
In my personal time, I love to: Spending time outside going for walks and watching true crime series.
My favorite musician/band: Zach Bryan
What I want people to know about me as an Advocate: Is that I can be a safe space for survivors to be heard and supported. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions at all! I am here to help.
Email Tori
Title: Prevention Educator (Community & Campus Advocate)
New Directions start date: January 2020
Years in Social Service: 6.5
College attended: Kent State University
Top Five Character Strengths: Gratitude, Kindness, Humor, Teamwork, Honesty
Mantra/favorite quote: "You are not broken, you are becoming"-Bianca Sparacino
Goal when working with a client: To create a safe and secure learning environment where individuals have the ability to share their stories and learn what it means to be in a healthy relationship.
In my personal time, I love to: Explore new places, play with my cats, and watch true
crime documentarie.
My favorite musician/band: Post Malone
What I want people to know about me as a Prevention Educator: I know the feeling of hopelessness that comes with knowing something feels wrong, but being unsure of how to help. If I can leave a community training, or a classroom giving one person more clarity, then I have done my job.
Email Bella
Title: Prevention Educator & TAC Advisor
New Directions start date: October 2021
Years in Social Service: 2
College attended: Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Top Five Character Strengths: Spirituality, Honesty, Kindness, Teamwork, Love of Learning
Mantra/favorite quote: "Every adventure requires a first step." – Alice in Wonderland
Goal when working with a client: My goal when working with a client is to support the client where they are at.
In my personal time, I love to: Travel to Florida and hang out with my dog and husband.
My favorite musician/band: ABBA
What I want people to know about me as a Prevention Educator: I want students to know that they deserve healthy relationships.
Email Libby
Title: Prevention Educator
New Directions start date: July 2023
Years in Social Service: 2
College attended: The Ohio State University
Top Five Character Strengths: Love of Learning, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Social Intelligence, Honesty, Fairness
Mantra/favorite quote: "You are the director of your own life. Don’t play the scripts written by others."
Goal when working with a client: Help them to feel seen and heard
In my personal time, I love to: Garden, cook, hike, and go camping.
My favorite musician/band: Tyler Childers
What I want people to know about me as a Prevention Educator: I want people to feel informed and empowered.
Email Madison
As community members and advocates of our mission and services, the Board of Directors provides key support to New Directions. By ensuring fiscal and legal responsibility for the organization, contributing to the shelter’s financial health, and supplying the executive director with resources to maintain the organization, members of our board help sustain New Directions — allowing us to continue serving Knox County residents.
President
Vice President
Secretary/Treasurer
Board Member
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New Directions is a private non-profit organization that began offering services to battered women on January 1, 1983. Run by a part-time director and 20 volunteers, our first shelter site was an efficiency apartment rented from Interchurch Social Services. An interim site was rented at the end of 1984 until the current site was renovated. We moved into our current site in October 1985 to enjoy on-site offices and safe housing.
Over the years, New Directions has built on our foundation of serving battered women and began to offer additional programs and services for all victims of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault. A rape crisis program formally began in 1988 with training in rape crisis protocol for all staff and volunteers. A victim advocacy program began in the fall of 1989 and was implemented by the court advocate.
In 2003, New Directions received a grant from the Centers for Disease Control for the primary prevention of intimate partner and domestic violence. In 2006, a similar initiative for the primary prevention of sexual violence began and was funded by the Ohio Department of Health.
