"I am a part of the Joyful Heart Foundation because shedding light into the darkness that surrounds violence and abuse is the first step toward ending it. I am proud to play a role in Joyful Heart's vision which seeks to ignite and foster open dialogue about how to collaboratively end the cycle of violence and abuse."

"I am part of the Joyful Heart Foundation because from its inception, the organization has been committed to creating innovative programs of healing for survivors. I love being a part of a group that pushes the boundaries of what has already been done to what is truly possible."

"I am a part of the Joyful Heart Foundation because we all have a responsibility to build a community that helps survivors to heal. I am excited and proud to play a role in Joyful Heart's vision because I believe so strongly in the holistic approach of all that we do to heal, educate and empower."

Molly Solomon has nearly a decade of experience in non-profit administration, and comes to Joyful Heart from Safe Horizon where she oversaw the finances and operations of the agency's development and marketing initiatives. Prior to her work with Safe Horizon, Molly held various roles in New York's theater industry, lending her administrative talents to the companies of Rent and De La Guarda. She has a BS in Sociology and is proud Brooklyn resident.

"I am a part of the Joyful Heart Foundation because our programs provide an opportunity for survivors to reclaim joy in their lives and have heart opening experiences. Joyful Heart is a guiding light in the journey towards healing."

"I am a part of the Joyful Heart Foundation because I wholeheartedly believe in the power of our mission. Since the beginning, I have had the pleasure of witnessing the magic, joy and sense of possibility that Joyful Heart speaks to in peoples' lives each and every day. This is the joy that lasts".

"My work with Joyful Heart is a gift - in every sense of the word. I find myself blessed to work alongside the most dedicated and passionate professionals in our field. Each day, I witness the positive impact our programs and outreach have on survivors of abuse and violence, and each interaction leaves me increasingly in awe of the resiliency of the human spirit. I am part of the Joyful Heart Foundation because I can't imagine not being involved in this incredible and joyous movement."

As Marketing and Social Media Specialist for Joyful Heart, Nathan Richards focuses on developing the organization's online and print marketing efforts to help grow JHF's base of supporters and practitioners, as well as keeping clients and survivors in touch with the foundation and one another. Prior to joining Joyful Heart, Nathan was Director of Global Marketing and Communications at TransPerfect Translations, the world's largest privately-owned provider of language services. Nathan attended Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service with a concentration in Business, Information, and Communications.

"I am thrilled to be involved with the Joyful Heart Foundation. I'm eager to help develop additional research that will enable the foundation to continue promoting their positive message of hope and renewal through pioneering programming."

As an advocate, therapist, volunteer and activist, Rose Garcia has been connected to issues of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse for the past 17 years. Rose began her involvement with survivors at the Centro de Damas Advocacy Group in Curacao Netherlands Antilles. At the agency, she was instrumental as an advocate in supporting survivors by helping to provide anything from first response support to legal aid. From there she was involved with several organizations that specialized in domestic violence issues. Eager to take her work to another level, Rose received her masters in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University in 2002 and was in clinical practice for four years and specialized in working with adult clients with mental illness. Rose's natural curiosity and predilection for working with people in crisis to provide positive encouragement has helped her stay engaged in cutting edge trauma work for nearly two decades.

"I am part of the Joyful Heart Foundation because healing the wounds of abuse, neglect and violence is everybody's business. When we help one person to heal, we spread the hope of healing to countless others. This is the light Joyful Heart sheds into the darkness. And it is this light that nourishes the seeds of joy planted in the spirit."

Meaghan Morelli is a writer and editor with more than a decade of communications experience across all media: television, print, radio, and online/social media. Additionally, she has worked as an advocate and activist in the areas of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse for almost a decade. She lives in Coastal Connecticut with her child.

"I am a part of the Joyful Heart Foundation because I fully support the mission and values of the organization and I believe that everyone deserves joy in their life."

Caroline Parrone has over seven years of development, special events, and fundraising experience. Caroline is quite crafty, specializing in knitted and crocheted items and paper arts. She is a proud graduate of the College of Santa Fe where she majored in Arts and Entertainment Management.

"I am part of The Joyful Heart Foundation because I believe deeper healing is possible for women who have experienced incest, sexual abuse, and trauma. The foundation offers a place where safe community, creative expression, and deep contact with the natural world are brought together to allow for it. I am part of the Joyful Heart community because I want to be a part of giving women who have been violated in unimaginable ways their bodies back, a sense of security, and experiences of joy and self-compassion within a trustworthy community."

Elena's personal and professional paths have led her to combine creativity and healing in her therapeutic work with trauma survivors. Having graduated from the Expressive Arts Therapy Program at The California Institute of Integral Studies with a masters in Counseling Psychology, Elena received her Marriage and Family Therapy license and Creative Arts Therapy license in the state of New York. Elena is the Clinical Director of Midtown Marriage and Family Therapy and provides in-depth psychotherapy to individuals and couples both at Midtown MFT and in her private practice located in Greenwich Village, New York. As a licensed psychotherapist specializing in trauma, Elena is an integral part of our retreat program development, training, and facilitation.

"I am a part of Joyful Heart because every day I get to be a witness to the greatly expanded capacity for living, loving and empowerment that is the result of its innovative programming. For me, Joyful Heart is a model for creation. By its very existence it demonstrates this truth to participants: If you can dream it, you can achieve it."

Teri Callaghan has been a counselor specializing in Rape Trauma since the mid-80s. She worked in Rape Crisis Centers in California and worked in Private Practice there specifically treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder for 7 years. Since 2005 she has been the therapist for the Rape Crisis Center on the West Side of the Big Island of Hawaii, seeing an average of 20 clients a week. She has been a trainer in California and in Hawaii on numerous Mental Health topics including PTSD, Treating Teen Survivors, DreamWork, Sex Offenders, Suicide Intervention, Stress Management and Grief and Bereavement. She has been classified in Court both in California and Hawaii as an Expert Witness to testify regarding the effects of sexual abuse trauma.

Teri holds a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology and is licensed as a Marriage/ Family Therapist in California.

"I am honored to be part of the Joyful Heart team. The foundation's focus on wellness of the whole individual-nurturing body, mind and spirit-resonates with my perspective on life and healing. I believe that at our core, each of us has within ourselves the power to heal and thrive fully. Joyful Heart respectfully connects survivors of violence with their own personal core of strength, providing a gentle, safe pathway from darkness to a life filled with abundance."

Sherisa is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with specific expertise in the application of the arts to language acquisition, education and the healing of trauma. She earned her master's degree in clinical psychology from San Jose State University and began her professional career as a not- for-profit executive with special focus on fundraising, board development, and organizational dynamics. For close to a decade, she has integrated the talent of artists, dancers, storytellers, and other performers with the California State curriculum to develop programs for language learners that maintained the academic standings they held in their native language while acquiring English as a second language. Her work includes a strong focus on somatic therapies, including yoga, breathing, mindfulness and movement, as well as applying these techniques to strengthen coping skills in young children and adults.

"I am part of the Joyful Heart Foundation because of the inspiration, motivation and strength I receive from colleagues, practitioners, survivors of abuse and fellow travelers on this journey to do this thing that we have each decided that we must do. This thing that can seem like the hardest thing in the world. This thing that scares people and makes them laugh. This thing that incites and unravels power and brings light to uneasy truths. This thing that is both simple and subversive; to celebrate love instead of fear, to make noise while others are silent, and in the end, to choose to be part of the joyful revolution."

Abigail Sims has been working in the area of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse intervention and prevention since 1995. Abigail focuses on engaging individuals and communities in creating programs and spaces that support survivors of violence and abuse to experience their fullest potential through the implementation of community based educational and advocacy services. Abigail is an experienced facilitator and trainer who works extensively with teens and adults and professionals in a variety of settings, including youth and family-serving organizations, health care settings and academic institutions. She is also a certified self-defense instructor. Abigail believes that the innovative and responsive programming that the Joyful Heart Foundation employs will transform the way we all participate in healing our communities, our relationships, and ourselves.

“I am a part of the Joyful Heart Foundation because I support and believe that healing comes from within. If we are given a safe space and the tools to creatively explore, process, grow, uncover and re-discover, the process of healing is possible.”

Allison Talis is the founder of Creative Seeds, providing preventative and post- trauma arts, yoga and wellness programs in South Africa and the United States. Allison is also a theatre director, educator and certified yoga teacher. She has taught intensive Meisner-technique acting courses for both The School of Cinema and Performing Arts and The National Theatre for the Handicapped. She has been a company member of The Savannah Theatre Project and the Experimental Dance Company, Circle of New York. Allison has directed at numerous theatres in New York City, Regionally and Internationally. Allison received mentorship, as an assistant director at The Steppenwolf Theatre for several years and is an on-going resident director with NYU First Look Theatre Company, a member of the Lincoln Center Theatre Directors’ Lab and a 2004 SSDC Traube Fellowship nominee.