Meet the Team

“The simple fact that it works. Studies show that violence is often cyclical with up to 40% of victims returning to the hospital with another violence injury and 20% dead of another violence injury within five years. Through programs like Project HEAL, we help break these cycles of violence and the lived experiences of our patients serve as a constant reminder of why we must continue to do this work day in and day out. For far too long, hospitals across the country have taken a “treat-and-release” approach to victims of violence. In doing so, they become quick at bandaging wounds but slow at healing communities. In conjunction with Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Project HEAL is demonstrating how that could change by listening to, learning from, and – slowly but surely – helping heal the communities it is fortunate enough to serve. To become a thread in the fabric of this incredible community, weaving together people and resources to reduce cycles of violence and help its victims thrive.”

“Most of the clients I’ve worked with in the past have experienced trauma- many due to violence. Many times, I felt powerless because these individuals had so many needs but there were very limited resources available to meet these needs. When I learned about this program, I immediately knew how important it would be to the community. In Monmouth County, the rates of violent crime are especially high in Asbury Park, Neptune Township, and Long Branch City. Violent injury is a recurrent problem so treat and release is not the answer here. Project HEAL is needed in the community so victims of violence can access wraparound services and resources, develop the tools and skills necessary to make positive changes in their lives, and reduce the rates of retaliation and revictimization to break the cycle of violence.

The HEAL in our name stands for “Help, Empower and Lead”. We have a multidisciplinary team who have a passion and dedication to help others. We want victims of violence to feel empowered to make positive changes in their lives and achieve their goals. We want to set an example of what commitment and service looks like and in turn, lead others to do the same.”

“At the age of 9, I lost two close family friends to a murder/suicide. While this traumatic event left its mark, it also changed the trajectory of my life. I knew I needed to be a helper and a healer, because I knew the pain all too well. I wake up every morning on a mission, to use my personal pain and experience in the hopes of preventing another tragedy. I see this same pain in people from the community, and that’s why I believe it is so needed.

Humans need choices and options. We are social creatures by nature and are not meant to do life alone. Project HEAL offers a safe haven of resources, but more importantly a team of caring hearts and ears that listen. We want the community to build upon its own strengths to become safer and healthier for everyone who lives here. Everyone deserves the feeling of safety and security, while ultimately healing from past wounds to prevent future ones.

I would like to see Project HEAL achieve a sense of unity and partnership in the community. We are not here to change the community, we are here to help others help themselves to take back their community and make it a place they are proud of. The “Help, Empower, and Lead” are nothing but fancy words without the support of the community.”

“I understand the cycle of violence whether it’s gang or domestic is prevalent in our community and there is a need to break that chain. I feel our communities are in a tragic state, and the family and friends within our community are subjected to traumatic experiences at an alarming rate. We need to understand this is not normal. I continually see this and I want to assist in making that change and breaking that cycle of violence of traumatized people in our community. I am familiar with the issues that plague our community since living in cities such as Newark, NJ, Washington D.C. and currently in Neptune, NJ. We need these particular services in our community to provide individuals an alternative and help them understand what they are going through is not the norm. I would like to have Project HEAL to be the hammer that breaks the chain of violence within our community.”

“I have immense compassion and the ability to care for people holistically in times of need. A patient’s needs are not only physical related conditions, but mental as well. This program is needed in the community to provide needed support services to everyone who may be a survivor or a loved one of a survivor of violence. Everybody should be afforded the opportunity to seek the care they need, and that is why Project HEAL is essential treating those affected by community violence.”

“My start in the helping profession started many years ago as a nurse’s aide after helping to care for my grandmother. I have always had a passion for helping people and standing up for those who have had a difficult time standing up for themselves, and that is exactly why I think Project HEAL is much needed in this community. I believe we can serve as a bridge to those members in the community who have historically been underrepresented and underserved.

Project HEAL will be able to provide them with or steer them in the right direction to receive the necessary tools and resources to begin turning their lives around. Ultimately, I would like to see this program provide members in the community with more opportunities. More opportunities for vocational and job training, opportunities for quality health care and medical follow-up, and lastly, more opportunities for mental and emotional healing.”

“I am passionate about helping others, mental health, and advocacy and this field is a great combination of all three. I have had positive experiences in therapy myself and I hope to give others that opportunity for growth as well. I believe Project HEAL is needed in this community and many others in order to promote post-traumatic growth in those who have been survivors of violence, as well as provide them with any resources they may need. It is important to make early-intervention mental health services more accessible to survivors in order to reduce the chance of retaliation or reinjury, stop the cycle of violence, and welcome healthy individuals back into their community. I hope that this program helps to decrease the rate of community violence. I also hope that this program will not only help our clients heal on an individual level, but also at the community level by advocating to improve any circumstances that serve as barriers.”

“I live in Neptune and I know there is a need. I attended the local schools growing up. I graduated from Neptune High School in 1983. In 1997, I purchased a home right down the street from my family home (my mother still lives there). I never even considered it as a bad neighborhood. Growing up we knew everyone on the block and we played outside all day during the summer. We Jumped rope, raced, played hopscotch, dodgeball, softball, kickball, jacks, and we rode our bikes. We had so much fun. Yes, the neighborhood has changed. We have a corner store at the top of the block with a park right across the street and a lot of people were hanging out. We started to hear gunshots frequently and then someone was shot and killed on our street. It was an eye opener and definitely scary. It was the first time I didn’t feel safe on my street. Although it’s only part of the solution, this is a great program and we need it to help save our future. I have two daughters and I want my 4 grandchildren to have safe streets so they can run and play like I did growing up. They’re really missing out!”

“Aside from my qualifications as a Communications Specialist, I come from a broken home of mental illness and drug use, so I have always had immense empathy for those who struggle with trauma. People carry scars that follow them throughout life, emotional and physical, and sometimes they just need an extra hand to make it through when coping with that. I believe that lack of opportunity and underfunded social programs have stifled young men and women from having a place to turn to. I believe coming from a broken home and a violent community can significantly increase the chances of somebody being susceptible to violent tendencies, criminal behaviour and gang life. You have to give people the tools and options to choose, give them empowerment to follow the path they want and try and help remove those roadblocks along the way. So often, today’s victim becomes tomorrow’s victimizer, so if we can intervene before things reach that point, it will be a step in the right direction.”

"Growing up, I experienced firsthand how tough it can be without the right support. Being part of a team that helps young people change their outcomes — and giving them a real chance at a better future — is why I do this work. I'm proud to be helping put these youth on a different path moving forward."

"Just something as simple as sitting down and having a conversation and letting someone be themselves for a little while — that’s what I love about this work. Seeing what a difference support made in my own life made me want to be that support for someone else. Just being there for people — letting them be seen and heard — that’s what matters to me."