Signs of Hope is fortunate to have a dedicated and diverse staff with varied backgrounds and expertise.
Administration:
Lachell G.
Development Coordinator
Lachell joined Signs of HOPE staff in November 2021. Her devotion to people and her eagerness to support the community was the inspiration behind Lachell becoming a part of the SOH staff. With over 15 years of business management and development experience, Lachell brings the knowledge needed to support and manage donor relation, fundraising, as well as provide support to the Board of Directors. New to the non-profit world, Lachell is excited about her role within the SOH family.
Contact Lachell: lachell@sohlv.org
Community Engagement:
The Community Engagement team handles public outreach both online and in-person. To increase public knowledge and access to services to better serve our community, with a focus on historically under-served populations.
Advocacy:
Signs of Hope has advocates serving in many different settings, including court, schools, jails and prisons, homeless shelters, and doing phone support and hospital accompaniment.
Gladys G.
(Bilingual – Spanish)
After Hours Advocate
Gladys joined the Signs of Hope team in December 2020. Before joining the SOH staff, Gladys was a volunteer with the organization and worked in the Human Resources field and nonprofit field. Gladys had previously assisted in managing the volunteer program before stepping down to an after-hours role. Gladys is dedicated to providing clients services on the SA hotline after hours.
As part of the Advocacy team, Gladys is can be found answering incoming hotline calls, offering accompaniment to forensic exams (SANE) at the hospital, and providing crisis intervention for walk-in clients. Gladys is also one of the staff members assisting volunteers and clients after-business hours on the 24/7 crisis response hotline.
Contact Gladys: gladys@sohlv.org
Wendy L.
(Bilingual – Spanish)
Bilingual Program Manager
Wendy has served in a variety of capacities since joining SOH team in 2009. In her current role, Wendy oversees all services, programs, and outreach with the Latinx community. She is also very involved in court and criminal justice advocacy efforts and long-term support for victims as they go through the long process after an assault to bring perpetrators to justice. Wendy is passionate about getting critical safety and awareness information out to the Latinx community, in particular serving families dealing with the aftermath of child sexual abuse, and making sure the SOH’s services in Spanish continue to expand.
Contact Wendy: Wendy@sohlv.org
Marissa P.
PREA Services Manager
Marissa joined Signs of Hope in 2021 starting off as a case manager working with the R.I.S.E. team. She is now the PREA services manager and uses her passion and years of experience with the incarcerated population to serve those in need of an advocate. Marissa has her bachelor’s degree in human development with a focus in substance use and is working on her master’s in clinical psychology with a focus in somatic counseling. Her desire and goal is to continue to provide trauma-informed care to those who need it.
Contact Marissa: marissa@sohlv.org
Sindy Ch.
(Bilingual – Spanish)
Client Services Coordinator
Sindy provides advocacy services and support to clients by providing resources, accompanying them in making police reports and assisting them in navigating the court system. Sindy focuses on following up with clients after their SANE exam to assist with various resources such as State and County Victim of Crime applications, counseling resources and accompanying clients and their families to court proceedings. Sindy strives to guide clients in accessing the resources and information needed when getting connected to Signs of Hope.
Contact Sindy: Sindy@sohlv.org
Jeanne S.
After Hours Advocate
Contact Jeanne: jeanne@sohlv.org
Prevention & Education
Sexual violence can be prevented by changing the views and behaviors of young people, through bystander intervention, and through widespread education of children from a young age that empowers them regarding their own body boundaries. Their mission to to offer prevention through education to build healthy relationships and promote responsibility to end violence in all communities by shifting how we value ourselves and each other.
Jazmine R.
Community Engagement Manager
Jazmine joined Signs of Hope in March of 2022! Before joining the SOH team, Jazmine was a volunteer with the organization. Her role is to ensure that victims and survivors of abuse have a safe, confidential place to go to when they need support and resources. She’s primarily responsible for oversight of all aspects of volunteer recruitment, management, recognition, retention, and support and training of volunteers and staff within the organization. Jazmine assists with the coordination of external engagement and outreach opportunities to promote organizational services and expand organizational reach through outreach events and tabling. On the advocacy side of things, Jazmine can be found offering accompaniment to forensic exams (SANE) at the hospital and providing crisis intervention for walk-in clients. Jazmine also assists clients in applying for victim compensation, accompaniment to police interviews, coordination of emergency shelter, emotional support, educating on victims’ rights, safety planning, assistance with reporting options, referrals to community resources, and coordination of Signs of Hope services, such as individual counseling and support group. You will also see her on the after-hours hotline assists folks for crisis response.
Contact Jazmine: jazmine@sohlv.org
Tamicka C.
Youth Education Specialist
Tamicka joined SOH in October 2021, embarking on a new role as a Youth Education Specialist. Most of her career has been working as an advocate, case management or doing some form of direct client service. She aspires to inspire which she brings to her role here at SOH which is opening new doors for her as she is in the process of becoming a Certified Advocate. She loves working with the youth and community as it is fulfilling and helps her to learn and grow.
Contact Tamicka: tamicka@sohlv.org
Jackie G.
Prevention and Education Curriculum Specialist
Jackie was previously a Youth Facilitator in 2019-2020, and then rejoined Signs of HOPE in January of 2022 as the Curriculum Specialist. As the Curriculum Specialist, Jackie develops and refines curriculum for the prevention and education programs. She also assists is giving presentations as needed. Jackie graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UCLA in 2016.
Contact Jackie: jackie@sohlv.org
R.I.S.E. (Resources and Integration for Survivor Empowerment) Team:
R.I.S.E. is a comprehensive case management program for those that have been impacted by any form of human trafficking. Referrals are taken from Law Enforcement, Medical Professionals, other Service Providers, and community referrals.
Luisa A.
(Bilingual – English & Spanish)
Housing and Employment Specialist
Luisa joined the Signs of Hope team as the R.I.S.E Housing and Employment Specialist in September 2021. Before working in advocacy, Luisa was a personal injury paralegal. Eventually transitioning to the realm of advocacy and non-profit world through personal inspiration, Luisa began working at Signs Hope. Luisa graduated from Nevada State College in 2020 with her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and minor in pre-law. Luisa currently assists victims of Human Trafficking with finding housing and employment by providing assistance and support in applications, referrals and emotional support.
Contact Luisa: luisa@sohlv.org
Joanna G.
(Bilingual – English & Spanish)
R.I.S.E Client Services Director
Joanna graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2017, with the intent to help bring strength to those vulnerable within the Hispanic community and immigrants affected by violence. Her passion for the Hispanic community is what motivated her to seek out an internship to assist those have been victimized by sex and/or labor trafficking to better support survivors. She had the opportunity to intern with SEEDS of Hope in 2017, and after that she continued to devote an additional 2 years as a volunteer. Through this experience she was able to advocate, empower, and encourage survivors of human trafficking. In 2019, she joined Signs of HOPE to continue her dedication and her strong passion in being a voice for those who are marginalized. During her time at Signs of HOPE she has worked diligently in advocating for underserved populations, while always finding ways to give back to her community. In her new role as the R.I.S.E Client Services Director she oversees many aspects of direct services, such as case management, the internship/practicum program, and housing and employment services. Additionally, she has spent the last year developing an outreach program that specifically targets the Hispanic community with a focus on those who have or are experiencing labor trafficking. Joanna is excited to apply her skills and knowledge to this new position and to pursue better ways to connect with this population to better understand their needs and barriers, while bringing awareness.
Contact Joanna: Joanna@sohlv.org
Cassie M.
RISE Outreach Director
Caspian M. is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and holds a Master’s in Social Work degree. For the last 8 years, she has worked in the anti-violence and victim advocacy realms, at different non-profits, in multiple states. She is an experienced and vetted victim advocate and service provider, who worked predominantly as a legal court advocate at Domestic Violence Intervention Services, in partnership with the Tulsa Family Safety Center. In addition, she also helped establish, lead, and coordinate the High-Risk Multidisciplinary Team, for the purpose of screening for and preventing intimate partner homicide, through collaborative partnerships, a victim-centered approach, and offender accountability. She relocated to Las Vegas last summer and now serves as the Outreach Director and Human Trafficking Training Specialist for the RISE anti-human trafficking program, under the umbrella of Signs of Hope. She is also a member of the Southern Nevada Human Trafficking Task Force Education and Outreach Committee and co-chairs the Victim Services Committee.
Contact Cassie: cassie@sohlv.org
Socorro S.
RISE Intern Program Manager
Socorro is the Intern Coordinator for the R.I.S.E program at Signs of Hope supervising bachelor and master level students. Socorro graduated with her Bachelors in Social Work from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 2017 and then with her Masters in Social Work from the University of Nevada Reno in 2019. Since 2015, Socorro’s passion and dedication has been to provide direct services to victims of human trafficking beginning with her time at a local nonprofit organization working with commercially sexually exploited children. She then began working with the SEEDS of Hope program in 2017 before transitioning to the R.I.S.E program in 2020. Since then, Socorro has provided support to youth and adult survivors, facilitated the adult survivor support group, and continues to host practicum students.
Amanda S.
Rise Case Manager
Amanda has been working in the human services field for the past 10 years. Amanda’s experience spans through Domestic Violence, substance abuse, mental health, and homeless services. Amanda graduated from Santa Rosa Junior college in 2019 with 2 Associate Degrees in Human Services Advocacy and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Amanda felt that human services was the best career path due to her personal, educational, and work experience. Amanda will be graduating in Aug 2023 from Grand Canyon University with her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Work.
Claudia H.
(Bilingual – Spanish)
RISE Case Manager
Claudia joined Signs of Hope at the beginning of 2015 as the Volunteer and Hotline Manager by coordinating the hotline schedule as well as overseeing all aspects of volunteer management. In 2020, Claudia transitioned into the RISE Case Manager role and has been assisting domestic and foreign national victims of human trafficking. Claudia assists human trafficking victims by providing support, referrals and determining both immediate and long-term goals. Claudia obtained a degree in Journalism and Media Studies from UNLV in 2012.
Contact Claudia: claudia@sohlv.org
Brandi W.
RISE Case Manager
Brandi began working with victims of Human Trafficking by joining Signs of Hope’s R.I.S.E program to continue following her passion for serving the Las Vegas community in November 2021. Brandi graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice. As a RISE Case Manager Brandi assists both domestic and foreign national victims of human trafficking. R.I.S.E. assists human trafficking victims by providing support, referrals and determining both immediate and long-term goals.
Contact Brandi: brandi@sohlv.org
Heather R.
RISE Operations Coordinator
Heather started as a volunteer in 2018, and joined on staff in 2020 as the after hours advocate. In the beginning of 2022, Heather took on a new role as the Operations Coordinator. As the Operations Coordinator she works closely with volunteers and schedules the 24/7 crisis response hotline, and coordinates outreach opportunities with local law enforcement.
Contact Heather: heather@sohlv.org
Counseling Center:
We have multiple counselors providing services in English and Spanish and serving clients ages 3 and up who have been impacted by sexual abuse, assault, and human trafficking in our counseling center. Language line services for those speaking other languages are available.
Patricia C.
(Bilingual – Spanish)
Counseling Center Manager
Patricia joined Signs of Hope team in October 2016. She helps manage the schedules of nine therapist and keeps track of the preferences and availability of our clients. Patricia is dedicated to making all clients at SOH feel comfortable and welcome.
Contact Patricia: Patricia@sohlv.org
Practicing Therapists:
Ashley Martinez, MS, LCPC: Ashley is a Licensed Clinical Professional counselor who has a Masters of Science from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Ashley has over 4 clinical years providing therapeutic services to sexually exploited youth and adults in our community through Signs of Hope. Specialties include treating adolescents, complex trauma, sexual trauma and incorporating EMDR interventions.
Carolina Villar-Mendez, MA, LCPC (Bilingual-Spanish): I joined Signs of Hope in 2019 and I specialize in providing treatment for Spanish speaking, primary and secondary survivors. My main area of focus is helping clients process trauma and alleviate additional concerns including, but not limited to depression, anxiety, stress, relationship issues, and chronic pain. I tend to use Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) as well as other trauma-informed approaches. My overall goal is to support clients in their healing journey!
Liz Carrasco, MSW, LCSW (Bilingual-Spanish): Liz earned her Master of Social Work degree (MSW) and her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice at UNLV. She is also currently a Trauma Psychology PhD student at Northcentral University. Liz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and specializes in working with victims of interpersonal violence and trauma. Liz has worked with survivors of power based violence for the past twelve years. Liz’s clinical training includes working with foster care children, adults, youth, mandated clients in the CPS and criminal justice systems, and post-prison re-entry clients.
Gaby M., MS, LCPC (Bilingual-Spanish): Gaby joined Signs of Hope in 2016. She has a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and has over 15 years of practice in the mental health field. She has experience in crisis management and resolution, depression, anxiety, and trauma and works with adults and adolescents. Her preferred modalities are Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and she is a certified clinical trauma professional (CCTP). She facilitates a Spanish Parent Support Group, and her passion is to empower others to be the best version of themselves!
Holly Shank, MS, LCPC: Holly S. is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has been with Signs of Hope since 2018. She specializes in treating trauma and substance use disorders in adults 18 years and older. Before becoming a counselor with Signs of Hope she helped out as a volunteer from 2011 to 2012. Along with counseling, Holly also facilitates the Adult Women’s Support Group and provides training to staff and volunteers.
