About Reach Out Speak Out
Get to Know Our Board of DirectorsReach Out Speak Out is structured to help the women within the faith-based community.
Domestic Violence is everywhere.
1 in 3 women are involved in a domestic violence relationship.
The physical hurting stopped the day I left my husband of twelve years.
Why We Are Here
Reach Out Speak Out‘s mission is to help women in need of assistance due to domestic violence; to provide shelter, food, clothing, and the necessities of life; to provide information through books and counseling; to enlist the help of other professionals with domestic violence experience; to speak at faith-based organizations and other community meetings regarding the warning signs of domestic violence.
What We Do
Reach Out Speak Out has been a nonprofit ministry since 2013. Every member of the Board of Directors and Advisory Board has either worked with domestic violence victims and organizations or was a victim in their own life. Reach Out Speak Out is structured to help the women within our faith-based community and church. Although there are many organizations that help and shelter women and men affected by DV, there is a very small percentage of organizations that help specifically in this area. Since this particular group of women seems to stick with an abuser longer because of their faith, Reach Out Speak Out will educate them from a Biblical perspective. We will not use the “world’s” view on the subject. Although those views are very acceptable, the person we are talking about has been surrounded with a different guideline of living.
Meet Our Board
Chairperson of the Board
Elizabeth Sullivan
Chairperson
I am a wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother. I love cooking and entertaining and spending time with my family.
I received my double bachelor of art degrees in political science and history as well as master’s degree work in public administration from the university of texas at san antonio.
In addition, i am a domestic violence survivor. I have been involved with reach out speak out since 2014. I started on the advisory committeet hen was elected to the board of directors in 2015 and elected chair in 2018. Since 2018 i have served as chairperson. My 2nd 3-year term ends at the end of february 2025. I will remain a resource and friend of reach out speak out for the forseeable future.
Board of Directors
Vicki Garcia
Board Member
When I was in kindergarten there were three little girls living next door with their parents who were missionaries. They were terrified of their dad. I would hear them screaming in their bedroom.
I couldn’t understand why their dad was mean when my dad always protected me. My personal mission is to pull back more layers of signs of DV and rake steps to assist the victims.
Heather Gilley
Board Member
Beth Simpson
Board Member
Beth is an elementary school teacher who has a passion for children’s well being. She watched her mom experience mental, emotional and verbal abuse from her father growing up. As an adult, she realized she had experience it too. She hopes her past experiences can help others who are experiencing domestic violence, especially children.
Advisory Committee
Susan has served as a Christian counselor for more than 15 years and has been involved with support group recovery ministry the past 20 years. Her experience includes working with women’s issues such as childhood sexual abuse trauma, depression, anxiety, anger, grief and loss, codependency, relational difficulties, and addictions. Susan also works with couples integrating Biblical faith based principles with clinically proven therapy.
Susan currently leads women’s Bible studies at Relevant Church.
Susan has been a presenter for recovery ministries in the bay area and welcomes the opportunity to lead groups such as boundaries, anger, grief, forgiveness, dysfunctional families and codependency.
As early as 1972, domestic violence and its journey entered the life of the founder of Reach Out Speak Out. (Story found in the book entitled( It Started With A Hamburger.) She is now very passionate about reaching women in domestic violence relationships within our faith-based community. Jan’s experiences have helped many to see a better, healthier and Biblical way to be free from domestic violence.
She served as a Trustee for many years with The Spring of Tampa Bay and was involved with the Family Justice Center. Her passion is to help victims of domestic violence, specifically within the faith community. Jan has been trained through licensed counselors and has certified training in Probable Cause, Predominate Aggressor, educational training through the Florida Board of Clinical Social work marriage, family therapy and mental health. Since her passion is within the faith-based community, she has also completed a Chaplaincy Helping Hands training program.
Auxiliary Committee
Married to a wonderful husband for thirty five years. Mother of three successful adult children and grandmother of three beautiful granddaughters. I got involved with Reach Out Speak Out several years ago as a fundraiser and then later became an auxiliary board member. My passion for this charity began with my own experience. I had a huge support system to guide me through this and without it don’t know what I would have done. As such, I felt the need to help others that don’t have a support system and need outside help. The good this charity does is beyond measure. I am proud to be part of such a great organization.
Hayley Olivia Hines is a dedicated supporter of Reach Out Speak Out, contributing her expertise from a background in media design, communication, and commercial art. With over a decade in broadcast media and nearly 20 years in advertising and marketing, she leverages her skills to enhance the organization’s visibility and outreach. Previously a Program Coordinator at The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Hayley is motivated by a personal connection to the cause, having been influenced by a close mentor who is a survivor of domestic violence. Outside of her volunteer work, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband of 16 years, and their 17-year-old daughter and indulges in her passion for cooking, baking, and creative projects.
I am a self-professed research nerd and tech geek. I am largely homebound so I am grateful that I get to volunteer with ROSO virtually, having helped with their previous website and now with social media. It’s also my great privilege to partner in prayer with ROSO, its families, and the community. I have been in a past domestic violence relationship, but now I’m embracing a life of freedom from eggshell walking, finding my purpose and my joy. I’ll never let anyone take those again. I live with two of my adult kids where we laugh and challenge one another in healthy ways.