[email protected]

Karla Ward is the Executive Director of New Beginnings and is responsible for guiding the organization while overseeing its clinical and educational programs of the agency as well as grant writing and fundraising.

She is past Chair of the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs and is Chair for the Program Implementation Committee that oversees the statewide initiative of the Green Dot Program. She is part of Impact 100 serving as a focus group co-chair and a 2020 graduate of Leadership Owensboro.

Karla has been with New Beginnings since 1998, when she joined the organization as Community Educator.

Karla earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education from Western Kentucky University in 1994.

[email protected]

Julie Campbell is the Assistant Director for New Beginnings and is responsible for managing the business and accounting functions of the agency. In addition, she presents community education programs and covers the crisis line when the need arises.

She is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants and a member of the Tri-State Payroll Association.

Julie has been with New Beginnings since 1999, and has twice briefly served as interim director for the organization.

Julie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Murray State University in 1995 and a Masters of Business Administration from Murray State University in 1997.

[email protected]

Ronda Howard is the Prevention Coordinator for New Beginnings and is responsible for educating high schools and the community on violence prevention, as well as guide the prevention education programs for elementary and middle schools.

She is a member of the of the Program Implementation Committee that oversees the statewide initiative of the Green Dot Program and is the Chair of the Daviess and Henderson County Community Prevention Teams that plan community level activities for high school students.

Ronda has been with New Beginnings since 2007, having spent the previous years as an elementary school teacher. Ronda earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Western Kentucky University in 1994.

[email protected]

Rebecca Roby is a Clinical Coordinator for New Beginnings and is responsible for providing educational and individual therapy to those affected by sexual victimization. In addition, she provides medical and legal advocacy to survivors of sexual assault. Rebecca is trained in EMDR, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Child Centered Play Therapy.

Rebecca has been with New Beginnings since 2009.

Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Brescia University in 2005 and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Louisville in 2006. She earned a Certified Social Work License in 2006 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2011.

[email protected]  

Tara Gann is a Clinical Therapist for New Beginnings and is responsible for providing therapy services for clients of all ages in Henderson, Union & Webster counties.  In addition, she provides medical & legal advocacy to survivors of sexual assault and conducts crisis, educational & family sessions.

Tara has been with New Beginnings since 2007.  She earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Brescia University in 2004 and a Master of Science in Social work from the University of Louisville in 2005.  She became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2011.  Tara has been trained in EMDR and utilizes CBT & child centered play therapy for individualized treatment of clients.

[email protected]

Emalee Deel is a Clinical Therapist for New Beginnings and provides therapy services for children and adults in need in Henderson, Webster, and Union Counties. In addition, she provides crisis sessions and ensures any medical or legal advocacy needs that may exist are also addressed; connecting survivors with one of our legal advocates when needed. She provides crisis intervention, education, and as-needed services for secondary survivors (family/partners, etc.). Emalee engages in individual therapy services with clients to work toward treatment plan goals aimed at reducing symptoms associated with trauma exposure and improving their overall quality of life and wellbeing. She uses a variety of prescriptive techniques suited to each individual and is trained in EMDR, Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Child-Centered Play Therapy as well as a variety of other techniques proven to be effective with trauma recovery.

Emalee is also a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (2018) and often offers yoga practices as an additional tool for recovery as this has been proven to be highly effective in helping survivors reach their goals and improve their quality of life and wellbeing.

Emalee obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work from University of Southern Indiana in 2008. She became a Certified Social Worker in 2010 & a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2013. She has been at New Beginnings since 2011.

[email protected]

Jennifer Francis-Gehring, LCSW is a Clinical Therapist for New Beginnings and is responsible for providing educational and individual therapy to those affected by sexual victimization. In addition, she provides medical and legal advocacy to survivors of sexual assault. Jennifer is trained in EMDR, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Child Centered Play Therapy. 

Jennifer is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Jennifer has been with New Beginnings since 2016. 

Jennifer earned a Bachelor's of Psychology and Sociology in 1998 from Bellarmine University and a Master of Social Work from Spalding University in 2003. 

[email protected]

Terri Crowe is the Advocacy Coordinator for New Beginnings. She is responsible for overseeing New Beginnings’ trauma-informed advocacy services. Terri provides advocacy in various ways: crisis counseling with victim/survivors and their loved ones, legal advocacy for clients (or their parents) by gaining criminal case updates and accompanying clients in court, training collaborative partners such as nurses, police, and prosecutors, and facilitating the Green River Sexual Assault Interagency Council. Terri strives to ensure that victim/survivors and their loved ones have convenient access to the most trauma-informed support and information available.

[email protected]

Crystal Wall is the Prevention Educator for New Beginnings.  She is responsible for the Play It Safe program and Internet Safety program for elementary schools.

Crystal earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Western Kentucky University in 2002.  She has been with New Beginnings since 2016.

[email protected]

Shelly Nichols is a 1996 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Social Work. She was drawn to victim’s work and especially interested in working with women; empowering survivors of interpersonal violence. She spent 7 years working at three different domestic violence programs in three different states…. As advocate, counselor and supervisor. (YWCA Spouse Abuse Center, Lexington, KY., Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies, Punta Gorda, Fl., Choices for Victims of Domestic Violence, Columbus, Oh.) In 2003, she became the Assistant Administrator for Victim’s Services through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, where she assisted in victim-offender dialogues and supported victim’s families through the execution process. In 2016, Nichols became Executive Director at OASIS (Owensboro Area Shelter & Information Services), where she worked for two years. Nichols is currently a Prevention Educator for New Beginnings Sexual Assault support services.
She is currently living in Owensboro, KY. with her husband and two sons, Cameron and Carter

Crystal Newton is a Clinical Therapist for New Beginnings and is responsible for providing educational and individual therapy to those affected by sexual victimization in Ohio County. In addition, she provides medical and legal advocacy to survivors of sexual assault.

Crystal worked for New Beginnings 11 years before changing her careers to be a teacher at Owensboro High School.

In 2016 Crystal earned the Fonetta Elam award for Excellence in Clinical Supervision Service.

Crystal earned a Bachelor’s of Social Work in 1996 from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Social Work from University of Louisville  in 2000. 

[email protected]

 

Sandra Watts is an LMFT who has been with New Beginnings since 2014. Prior to coming to New Beginnings Sandra had her own private practice Watts Counseling. She graduated from Western Ky University with her MA in 1991. She is certified in EMDR part 1 and 2, Certified Reality Therapist, and Certified Bereavement Pastoral Counselor.

[email protected]

Daniel Southard is the Group Coordinator of New Beginnings and is responsible for the coordination and implementation of groups in the 7 county Green River Area Development District as it relates to issues around sexual violence.

Daniel has been with New Beginnings since 2019.

Daniel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Communication from the University of Kentucky in 2018 where he was a member of the Cross-Country and Track team.

[email protected]

Leah is a Victim Advocate for New Beginnings and is responsible for ensuring survivors have access to needed resources to assist in their coping process, providing legal and medical advocacy services, completing paperwork, and providing psychological first aid or crisis sessions to individuals needing immediate coping skills. In addition, Leah provides training to law enforcement and medical professionals within the community to educate and spread awareness on sexual assault.

Leah graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science emphasis in Social Welfare Western Kentucky University. She previously worked as the Social Service Director and Abuse Coordinator at a nursing home, where she became empowered to advocate for individuals who have been victimized.

[email protected]

Bekah first started with New Beginnings as a VISTA Member in February 2019, while also completing her Bachelors in Social Work practicum hours. She is a graduate from Western Kentucky University class of 2019.

Bekah joined the staff as a prevention educator in February 2020 and will implement Shifting Boundaries for the middle schools. She is also certified for Green Dot Community and High Schools.

[email protected]

Marcie Vooris is a Clinical Therapist for New Beginnings and is responsible for providing educational and individual therapy to those affected by sexual victimization in Daviess, Hancock, and McLean counties. In addition, she provides medical and legal advocacy to survivors of sexual assault. Marcie has been trained in EMDR and utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy and child centered play therapy for individualized treatment of clients.

Marcie has been with New Beginnings since 2019.

Marcie earned a Master’s of Education from Lindsey Wilson College in 2014. She obtained full licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in 2017 and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor in 2016.

[email protected]

Megan Gross is the Community Engagement Coordinator and is responsible for the recruitment, training and supervision of agency volunteers as well as maintaining a strong community presence throughout the Green River District. She also provides medical and legal advocacy to survivors of sexual assault.

Megan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Community, Environment and Development from Western Kentucky University in 2018 and has been with New Beginnings since January of 2020.