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New Directions provides resources for the safety, healing, and freedom of individuals who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking 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.
Lindsey
Title: Executive Director
Specializing in: Youth-Led Prevention and Community Education
New Directions start date: May 2018
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
Lauren
Title: Director of Survivor Services
Specializing in: Sexual Violence & Campus Advocacy
New Directions start date: September 2015
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
Kayla
Title: Shelter & Housing Coordinator
New Directions start date: January 2024
Top Five Character Strengths: Empathetic, Compassionate, Driven, Self-Aware, Easy-Going
Mantra/favorite quote: "Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light." -Brene Brown
Goal when working with a client: y goal when meeting clients is to meet them where they’re at, mentally and emotionally. This is their show, I’m just here to help guide and inspire them.
In my personal time, I love to: I love to: Cozy up with cup of coffee, or go explore a new hiking trail or town. I like to find the hidden gems of Ohio!
My favorite musician/band: I’m all over the place when it comes to music. I love everything from Fleetwood Mac and classic 90’s rock to Ryan Caraveo, NF and Russ, to Sleep Token and Bad omens.
What I want people to know about me as an Advocate: My role in advocacy is all about supporting our clients in a way that is both empathetic, as well as productive in reaching the specific goals each client has. I have a passion for helping others see their own potential and making them feel heard and valued.
Hannah
Title: Emergency Shelter Advocate
Specializing in: Welcoming clients into the organization as well as assisting the Executive Director, Direction of Operations and Director of Programs.
New Directions start date: April 2022
College attended: Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Top Five Character Strengths: Willingness to learn, Love, Kindness, Honesty, Bravery.
Mantra/favorite quote: "Life isn’t how to survive the storm; it’s about how to dance in the rain." – Taylor Swift
Goal when working with a client: My goal when working with a client is to make them feel heard and seen. I want to empower survivors in their healing process and remind them their voice matters.
In my personal time, I love to: spend time with family and friends, read, and do crafts.
My favorite musician/band: Taylor Swift
What I want people to know about me as an Advocate: I want people to know that I care deeply for all survivors and want to help and support their needs.
Lorna
Title: General Advocate
New Directions start date: October 2023
College attended: Capital University
Top Five Character Strengths: Humor, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Love, Fairness, and Kindness.
Mantra/favorite quote: "In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." – Albert Einstein
Goal when working with a client: When working with clients, I hope to provide a sense of confidence and collaboration to create healing and empowerment from within.
In my personal time, I love to: Exercise, be around friends and family, crochet and read a good book.
My favorite musician/band: The Marcus King Band
What I want people to know about me as an Advocate: I want people to know that I believe in the power of listening and that allowing someone’s voice to be heard is encouraging and impactful.
Tori
Title: Youth Advocate
Specializing in: Youth
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
Julia
Title: Prevention Specialist and TAC Advisor
Specializing in: HS and Middle School Prevention Programming
New Directions start date: January 2024
College attended: Ashland University
Top Five Character Strengths: Love, Humor, honesty, social intelligence, appreciation of beauty and excellence
Mantra/favorite quote: "When you learn, teach, when you get, give." – Maya Angelou
Goal when working with a client: To help them feel empowered and supported.
In my personal time, I love to: Go shopping, read, and go on road trips.
My favorite musician/band: Doja Cat
What I want people to know about me as a Prevention Educator: I want to see people feeling empowered and comfortable being their true authentic selves.
Madison
Title: Prevention Specialist
New Directions start date: July 2023
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
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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.
