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Linda CrockettDirector
Linda was the visionary behind the development and design of Safe Communities (formerly Samaritan Safe Church/Safe Places) in 2011. This program grew out of her work as a consultant to congregations experiencing the often 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. In 2016, she began work with the newly formed 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 congregational and other key settings so that adults are proactive about protecting children from sexual abuse throughout the community, creating a web of Safe Places with trusted adults.
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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Lizz DurbinCreative Director + Program Administrator
Lizz joined the Safe Communities team in April 2018 and provides administrative program management as well as the creation, editing and distribution of content to build the brand voice with various constituencies. She has developed child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention materials for children, parents, and leaders in youth serving organizations. She also facilitates interactive workshops on child sexual abuse prevention and consults with organizations to develop policies for child protection. She brings organization, excellent communication, and a positive spirit to the team. She feels passionately about the team’s work to raise awareness and build cultural change within institutions to end child sexual abuse. Lizz is married to Ryan and they have two children, Kate (7) and Oliver (6).
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Deb HeltSenior Facilitator & Congregational Support Specialist
Group Facilitator and Retreat Leader
Deb served on the Safe Communities team for seven years as the primary facilitator for our Safe Church program and a group facilitator for survivors and for parents of sexually abused children. She transitioned to independent contractor status for Safe Communities in May of 2020, and will facilitate groups and retreats during the next year. She is a passionate advocate for children and is committed to ending child sexual abuse. Deb continues to serve as part of the pastoral team at Hosanna! A Fellowship of Christians in Lititz, PA that defines itself as an organic community with the motto of “Breaking rules, breaking barriers, and breaking chains”. She oversees programs for children and is on Hosanna’s Executive Leadership team. |
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neeta dedhiaNeeta has a Masters in Public Administration with a major in non-profit management. She has worked with the American Red Cross and was the Program Coordinator at the Inner Resilience Program. Currently, she is a volunteer at the Lancaster General Health Foundation and Development office.
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