Hope Haven Names New Chief Executive Officer
Hope Haven Names New Chief Executive Officer
Hope Haven, one of Northeast Florida’s leading nonprofit providers of specialized services for children and their families, announced today that its Board of Directors has selected Stella E. Johnson as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer.
Ms. Johnson currently serves as the Executive Director of the Family Nurturing Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the needs of children and families in crisis in North Florida. She will assume her new role with Hope Haven on September 18, 2017.
Hope Haven Board Chair, Dr. Nichelle D. Stone, MBA, EdD, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Stella to Hope Haven. Through the course of her successful career, Stella has proven to be a visionary leader with expertise in strengthening and growing nonprofit associations. Stella has significant experience in fundraising and donor development, collaborating with community partners, working with board directors, managing budgets, optimizing programs, and leading change management and business systems improvement. Hope Haven will benefit from Stella’s thoughtful, inclusive, and collaborative approach in working with all stakeholders for the betterment of the organization and its clients.”
“I am very honored and excited by this opportunity to lead Hope Haven in its next stage of growth as a premier provider of services in our community,” said Ms. Johnson. “I’ve been dedicated to youth and family services for my entire career and am passionate about delivering high quality programs that make a positive difference for local children and families. I have lived in the Jacksonville area for more than 30 years, have established deep local connections, and am committed to the success of this community.”
“My initial priority will be getting to know client families, staff, community partners, funders, and volunteers. Over the coming year, I look forward to working with the dedicated Hope Haven staff to evaluate and enhance our services, expand the fund development program, engage with other organizations in collaborative efforts, and increase our recognition, regionally and nationally, as experts in our field. Most importantly, I’d like to help advance an organizational culture that supports staff in capitalizing on their strengths and interests as we improve the lives of those we serve.”
Ms. Johnson joins Hope Haven with an extensive background working with children and families in Florida. She was with the Family Nurturing Center for 10 years, including serving as the Executive Director for the last eight years. She has provided consultation services and program development for foster care, delinquency, and similar programs serving at-risk youth and families. Previously, she served as Program Services Director for the Capital City Youth Services in Tallahassee and Program Coordinator for the Youth Crisis Center in Jacksonville. Ms. Johnson has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of North Florida.
Background
Following the departure of Hope Haven’s previous CEO in March 2017, Hope Haven’s Board of Directors appointed a search committee to conduct a thorough process to identify a successor. The search committee received input on the process, role, and potential candidates from a broad cross-section of staff, client families, donors, partners, and community members. Working with Peoplr, a top recruiting and executive search firm based in Jacksonville, more than 250 candidates were identified and screened during the process, culminating in the Board’s unanimous selection of Ms. Johnson as the next CEO.
Young Adults with Down Syndrome Define Happiness | Define Series
Young Adults with Down Syndrome Define Happiness | Define Series
Our friends at MangoSoul Productions sat down with some of our young adults with Down syndrome talk to us about happiness… How would you define happiness?
Watch the video below:
A Hope Haven Father’s Day Story
A Hope Haven Father’s Day Story
In honor of Father’s Day this week, we thought we would share the inspirational story of a Hope Haven Father and his family. Meet Dawaun.
Dawaun and his wife discovered Hope Haven seven years ago after learning that their newborn son, Liam, had been diagnosed with Down syndrome.
“For the last seven years, Hope Haven has been another part of our family. From therapy to the Discovery School, they have shown that we are not alone in this,” stated Dawaun.
Hope Haven’s objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of Liam’s progress in all areas of his growth and development so he can grow and thrive in his own unique, special way. In order to accomplish this, Liam has undergone Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy. At home, Dawaun prides himself on maintaining Liam’s’ growth by working with him using the specialized plan that Hope Haven built for them.
“When we do not understand how to proceed – Hope Haven has been there. They let us know how we can work with him at home so that we are consistent.”
In December 2014, Dawaun and his wife received, even more, news that no parent wants to hear. Their son, Liam was diagnosed with leukemia.
After two grueling years of fighting leukemia, Dawaun and his wife recently discovered that Liam was cancer free as of March 2017!
“It’s been great to be Liam’s Father. He’s my boy! My firstborn, my everything. It’s great to see him smile, laugh, and play. I wouldn’t trade anything for the world.”
Father’s Day is usually a time to honor and recognize our heroic fathers, however, Dawaun said that Liam is HIS hero.
“Watching Liam go through the challenges he has faced at such a young age has made me appreciate my son and life more. I could not imagine life without him. As for Hope Haven, Hope Haven has been a Godsend.”
Closing Remarks – What does Father’s Day mean to you this year:
“As a father of three (Dawaun and his wife also have twins) this Father’s Day is a special one. It’s awesome – all three of my kids are here. All three are healthy. This is my first REAL Father’s Day. Just knowing I have the opportunity to hang with them is special. Every day is like Father’s day to me.
I don’t take for granted the fact that it can all be over in the blink of an eye. I saw how many kids did not make it during Liam’s chemo treatments. I am looking forward to the best Father’s day in seven years!”
Realty agents give Hope Haven a makeover
Realty agents give Hope Haven a makeover
Nearly 60 agents from Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners spent May 11 renovating Hope Haven, a nonprofit that provides specialized services for children and their families.
Hope Haven Helping Families Take Control Of Their Mental Health
Millions of Americans are affected by Mental Health each year. It is estimated that 1 in 5 adults in the U.S.—43.8 million, or 18.5%—experiences mental illness in a given year.1
A rising problem occurring in the US is now being seen in mental health for children and teens. It is estimated 20% of youth ages 13-18 live a with mental health condition.1
Hope Haven’s mission is to ensure that children and families realize their full potential by providing specialized services and individualized educational opportunities.
Keeping to their promise, Hope Haven provides a variety of Mental Health Services to help children and families be more independent, educated and engaged in community life.
Licensed Mental Health Counselors provide an initial intake session in order to understand the presenting problem, identify the child’s strengths, and develop a plan for treatment and support. Counselors seek to eliminate risk factors that may be present and to build and enhance protective factors. Providing supports to the children and families early can often prevent the development of larger behavioral health issues later in life.
On the rise at Hope Haven are infant mental health cases. We have found that early intervention for children and caregivers is key.
“Infant Mental Health considers emotional, social, and relational development during the ages of birth to age 5,” according to Emily Foltz-Holland, Director of Clinical Services at Hope Haven.
The focus is on building capacity for a secure relationship with a primary caretaker and growing/enhancing a baby’s ability for emotional regulation. Work is done jointly with the caretaker and the baby to ensure positive development for the baby, as brain development can be affected by stress, environmental factors, and relationships. It has been estimated that more than a million neural connections are formed in the brain each second during early development. Thus, infancy is a critical time to ensure loving, caring, stable relationships are present and to provide experiences that build emotional regulation to prevent mental health issues later in life.
Hope Haven is proud to have trained, qualified Licensed Mental Health Counselors who have clinical competency in the area of infant mental health.
Hope Haven also provides community outreach support to students and teachers in the greater Jacksonville area. Hope Haven finds value in providing services on site in a school setting, which eliminates the barriers of transportation and insurance. Examples of partnerships with schools include The Guardian Schools, the Tiger Academy, and the Jewish Community Alliance. Counselors are able to build social-emotional skills in the classroom setting and in small groups, ultimately building emotional wellness.
Hope Haven’s goal is to help break the stigma of Mental Health and bring awareness to the city of Jacksonville about their programs and services.
Hope Haven’s Tutoring Services Showing Signs of Renewal for Children and Families
Hope Haven’s Tutoring Services Showing Signs of Renewal for Children and Families
Learning can be challenging for any student, let alone students with specific learning disabilities.
Since 1970, Hope Haven has been assisting families with educational programs designed as inclusive learning opportunities for all ages – from children to young adults. “We have been tutoring since the 70’s. Dr. Skinner started the tutoring labs in the old hospital realizing some children learned differently. This is when specific disabilities began being recognized and diagnosed,” according to Hope Haven’s Historian, Barbara Brutschy.
Hope Haven offers a wide range of affordable tutoring services for every type of learner, from elementary to high school students. Whether your student needs specific help in a core subject or test prep, Hope Haven is here to help them achieve their very best.
Annie has been bringing her son Nick (age 13) to Hope Haven for the last seven consecutive years.
By the time Nick had entered Kindergarten, he had already been diagnosed with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). By the second grade, Annie had noticed that her son was still having difficulties in school. Hearing about Hope Haven’s evaluations, Nick was brought in and diagnosed with Dyslexia. After her son’s new diagnosis, they began a specific tutoring program designed for his unique style of learning.
“As much as you don’t want to hear that your child has a certain struggle, Hope Haven made this process easier from the diagnosis, tutoring, and knowledgeable professionals. The staff and programs here have given Nick confidence to push through the challenges and have allowed him to have a more positive outlook,” stated Annie.
Nick and his tutor, Mary Ann, have been meeting ever since they walked in for the evaluation. Meeting just one – two times a week for an hour at a time, Nick has made incredible strides of growth in his ability to learn using the Barton Method.
Nick attends La Villa Middle School where, thanks to the committed staff of educational professionals, he excels in and out of class, playing percussionists in the school band, hanging out with friends, and performing for others.
“Hope Haven has given our family confidence. If anyone thinks something is off with their child, I would definitely recommend going to Hope Haven for an Evaluation,” Annie stated.
Again, Hope Haven’s educational programs are designed for any type of learner and age.
If your child is struggling in the areas of English, Language Arts, and Math, Hope Haven will be hosting their annual FSA Boot Camp March 20-24th (Duval County Spring Break).
“This five-day boot camp is designed to review skills in the areas of English, Language Arts, and Math,” according to Robin Pierce, Tutoring Program Manager at Hope Haven.
The FSA Boot Camp will run from 9:00-4:00 PM and is open to all 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th-grade students. The cost is only $250.00.
For more information regarding this upcoming boot camp, you can reach Robin Pierce directly by phone at 904-346-5100 ext. 259 or by email at RobinP@hope-haven.org.