Megan Castiglione and Kayla Hittle are entering into their senior year of their BSW program. Both are engaged and active leaders in the program. Megan and Kayla are very excited to collaborate with artists with developmental disabilities on this exhibit. Both students have an interest in art and the potential of art to raise awareness.
Read MoreDanielle Leon is the anti-human trafficking program Training Specialist within the North Carolina Council for Women and Youth Involvement and she possesses over 10 years of human services experience. Through her current role, she brings education, outreach, and awareness of human trafficking to marginalized communities throughout North Carolina.
Read MoreKiricka Yarbough Smith is the anti-human trafficking Program Director for the North Carolina Council for Women and Youth Involvement. She has over 18 years of human services experience, is Chair of the NC Coalition Against Human Trafficking, and is a human trafficking consultant for the National Trafficking in Persons Office.
Read MoreDr. Celia Williamson founded the first anti-trafficking program in Ohio in 1993. Dr. Williamson founded the International Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference, the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition, and she chairs the Research Committee for Ohio’s State anti-Trafficking Commission. She also is the Director of the Human Trafficking & Social Justice Institute at the University of Toledo.
Read MoreJulie Williams is a licensed mental health counselor in Florida where she works in a forensic practice, specializing in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of offenders. She is a doctoral student of Clinical Psychology at the Florida School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Tampa, Florida.
Read MoreLeah Levine is a current sex worker, activist and student. In their spare time, they enjoy reading, baking, and writing.
Read MoreCassandra Damm is a board member of SWOP–Chicago and a therapist at Lifeworks Psychotherapy. Cassandra’s clinical, academic, and advocacy work explores issues related to gender, sexuality, substance use, and mental health.
Read MoreDr. Lara Vanderhoof is an Assistant Professor of Social Work and the Social Work Program Director at Tabor College. She has over 25 years of social work experience in mental health, child welfare, and sexual abuse. Lara’s doctoral research examined the issues related to human trafficking in Kansas.
Read MoreMiranda Tippie has a Master’s in Occupational Therapy from The University of Findlay and currently is the Clinical Coordinator for Community-Based Practice in Occupational Therapy at the University of Findlay. She developed community programming in various mental health settings and substance use disorder settings. Miranda provides direct services to individuals in the community including survivors of human trafficking.
Read MoreCourtney Stewart is a Licensed Social Worker and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. She works at the Toledo Lucas County Health Department’s Northwest Ohio Syringe Services harm reduction program. She has 11 years of experience working in re-entry, behavioral health, and harm reduction services.
Read MoreDr. Jamie Dowling Tawes is the Assistant Director of the Ryan White Program at The University of Toledo Medical Center. She has over 15 years of experience in a variety of public health settings, including opioid use prevention, sexuality education, and mental health.
Read MoreDr. Joan Duggan is an Infectious Diseases physician with over 25 years of experience and the Medical Director of the Ryan White Program at The University of Toledo Medical Center. She also serves as the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Development.
Read MoreDr. Amy Thompson is a Professor of Public Health at the University of Toledo. She has expertise in Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs. She also is the UT Co-chair for the Opioid Taskforce.
Read MoreChloe Vega is a survivor of child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. She is committed to preventing sex trafficking by educating and equipping teens and adults. Chloe effectively uses her own story to relate to teens and give them hope. She is currently completing her degree in Criminology at the University of Tampa.
Read MoreMeiko Taylor spent 8 years working in a residential facility with at-risk youth in foster care and on probation. After learning some of these teens had been sex trafficked, Meiko developed a passion for prevention. This former foster youth holds a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago and an MBA.
Read MoreSteve Mentrek is a Program Director at Bittersweet Farms. He received his MA in Recreation Therapy and Leisure Administration from The University of Toledo. Steve has 15 years of experience assisting DD and trafficked individuals integrate in the community, feel safe, remove barriers, and identify areas of limitations.
Read MorePat Stephens is a Director at the Lucas County Board of DD. She has over 22 years of experience in the DD and mental health fields. Pat is a member of the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition and involved with the PATH Project through the Human Trafficking & Social Justice Institute at The University of Toledo.
Read MoreDan Huesman worked for many years with clients involved in the criminal justice system at Unison. He has also been involved with the Genesis Program, Unison’s art therapy program. Dan currently works for the Opportunity Project through Toledo Legal Aid Society on innovative prevention programs in the justice system.
Read MoreJenaie Johnson is a senior at Rogers High School. She is in track, cheer, and dance. She is considering BGSU, University of Toledo, and Ohio State for nursing.
Read MoreShakirrah Hudspeth is a senior at Rogers High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society. She is involved in cheer, dance and young women of excellence. She wants to go to her dream college, Auburn, and major in environmental science.
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