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linda crockettFounder and Consultant
Linda was the visionary behind Safe Communities, founding the organization in 2019 out of the Safe Church and related programs she developed and directed at a Samaritan Counseling Center. She serves as the Founder and Consultant and is a member of the SC Board of Directors. The Safe Church program grew out of her work as a consultant to congregations experiencing the contentious dynamics that occur when a child is molested by a lay or ordained leader. Under her leadership, Safe Church expanded to a national training platform. From 2016-2019 she worked with a national cohort of grantees and fellows of the Just Beginnings Collaborative on social movement building to end child sexual abuse. Her work focuses on shifting culture in institutional settings so that adults prioritize protecting children from sexual abuse within and beyond the institution, and on trauma-informed healing practices for adults who experienced childhood sexual and other abuse. Linda’s first book “The Deepest Wound: How a Journey to El Salvador Led to Healing from Mother-Daughter Incest” (Writer’s Showcase) was published in 2001. As a church volunteer and activist, she accompanied refugees and survivors of torture during the civil war in El Salvador in the 1980s, working with church and human rights organizations. The book includes her personal narrative of childhood sexual abuse, intertwined with the violence experienced by the Salvadoran people. The Deepest Wound was awarded first place in the “Life Stories” category by Writer’s Digest in March 2003. The Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling recommends its use in seminary and graduate school classrooms, and by therapists and pastoral care providers. She also contributed to Render Unto God: Economic Vulnerability, Family Violence and Pastoral Theology (Chalice Press, 2002; Poling, James; Ruiz, Brenda; Crockett, Linda), a cross cultural economic analysis of sexual abuse and domestic violence. A review of The Deepest Wound on the website Confronting Collusion with Abuse in the Faith Community may be viewed at http://www.takecourage.org/deepwnd.htm |
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Rebecca Clark MaysExecutive Director
Rebecca Clark Mays is the new Executive Director of Safe Communities. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Purdue University and earned her Master of Science in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. Becky has spent most of her career in development and leadership, working with a variety of wonderful nonprofit organizations. She was a freelance writer for over a decade, and she wrote her first novel in 2018. In 2022, she became a nationally recognized grant writer with Meals on Wheels America. Becky has deep respect and admiration for Linda and the incredible organization she created for survivors of child sexual abuse. Becky is an advocate for survivors of abuse and crime, and she is committed to the mission, vision, and values of Safe Communities. She is excited and proud to join the team and she looks forward to expanding programs and services at Safe Communities. Becky lives in Reading with her husband and rescue cats. |
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JAMIE GEHMANPhoenix Program Facilitator; Healing Support Navigator
Jamie C. Gehman earned her Master’s in Human Services from Chestnut Hill College with a focus in counseling and managing non-profits. She is always thriving to advocate and help build and heal our communities. Jamie has worked for and volunteered at many non-profit organizations ranging from domestic violence to Pre-K Counts programs with enriching the lives of elementary aged children. Jamie is currently focusing her weekends working in a local residential community program that focuses on support, healing, and empowering the residents. Jamie is also a board member of the Traces of Love Association, a non-profit organization which focuses on trauma informed care and supporting survivors of childhood loss and grief. Jamie resides in Pottstown, PA with her youngest child, her emotional support parrot, and her cat. |
Safe communities board
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Karen BachmanInterim President & Secretary
The Rev. Karen Bachman is the part-time pastor for the Coleman Memorial Chapel, Lititz, Pa. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a BS in Business Administration from Albright College. In addition to her work as a pastor, Karen is a Certified Risk Manager and manages the corporate insurance program for The Vanguard Group, Malvern, Pa. She lives in Lancaster with her husband, Bill. Her favorite past-times include playing golf, reading, crocheting, and walking her dog. |
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Alicia HaigisVice President
Alicia is the Executive Assistant for Jane Mintz Consultancy. She graduated from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine with her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. She graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with her Master of Science in Psychology and a concentration in Forensic Psychology. Alicia has been a supporter of Safe Communities since 2011. Beginning in 2018, she became co-lead for Safe Communities Resilience Cohort. Alicia’s passion lies in advocating for survivors on their brave path to a healthier mind and body, empowering them to use their voices and be heard, and helping them courageously reclaim their lives. As a survivor of domestic violence, Alicia feels the importance of changing the culture for victims of abuse, and advocating for social justice and equality as a way to build stronger and healthier communities. |
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Michael P. SquierdoTreasurer
Michael Squierdo is a member of Saint James Catholic Church in Lititz, where he attends with his wife, Mary Theresa. Mike is a member of the church’s pastoral council, finance committee, and building and grounds committee. Mike is past Finance Chair of Horseshoe Trail District of the Penn Dutch Council Boy Scouts, past Treasurer of the Lititz Springs Park and the Park’s Capital Campaign. Mike is currently on the Board of A Woman’s Concern and is its Treasurer and a member of the Executive Committee. Mike is a retired career banker with accounting, tax, regulatory and management reporting, enterprise, and operational risk management expertise. He is also a graduate of Mount Saint Mary’s (College) University and the Bank Administration Institute School of Banking. |
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Paula KnudsenBoard Member
Paula Burke is a member of the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, where she attends with her husband and two children. She has worked with the E-Town congregation to provide guidance and establish procedures for child protection issues pursuant to Safe Church programs. Paula is a Lancaster-based attorney who has worked in both private practice and nonprofit law. She also has worked as a journalist and editor. Paula is a graduate of the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University. She also received her undergraduate degrees from the Pennsylvania State University, in both journalism and Spanish. |
