Institute Personnel

In 2007 Jeanne was convicted to leave the trappings of a lucrative career as an Internet consultant to establish one of the first long-term restorative care programs in the Mid-Atlantic for victims of domestic sex trafficking.  She immersed herself in learning—mostly from survivors themselves—and created TSW-ISC’s unique Care Model.  Over the years TSW expanded its service and took on several national research projects.  In 2018-2019 she led the organization through a major shift to create the Institute for Survivor Care, which leverages the expertise of TSW-ISC and industry peers across the country to train and mentor new shelter programs in the areas of greatest need.

Publications:

• Allert, J. (2021, June 21). Justice Professionals’ Lens on Familial Trafficking Cases. Criminal Justice Review. doi.org/10.1177/07340168211024719 
• Allert, J. (2017). SHELTERED – National Practices Survey Report. The Samaritan Women – Institute for Shelter Care.
• Allert, J. (2016). Funding Landscape for Residential Service Provider Agencies for Victims of Domestic Sex Trafficking.  The Samaritan Women – Institute for Shelter Care.
• United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia. (2015). Residential Service Provider’s Guide to Working with Law Enforcement Referrals of Human Trafficking Victims.  

Education: Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling and Psychological Studies, Masters of Church Ministry; Masters of Education, Bachelor of Arts

Life verse: Luke 12:48 –“To whom much is given, much more is expected.”

Paula has a passion for helping non-profit organizations be obedient to the calling the Lord gives them to be His hands and feet. Her first experience with the Institute for Survivor Care, was in March 2021 when she participated in Intensives 1 and 2 of the Shelter Mentorship Program. Paula left the training with the vision of a larger opportunity – making the foundational training available to all non-profits. She first joined the team in February of 2022 as an adjunct faculty member to facilitate human resources courses. In June 2022, she started creating and implementing the Ministry Fundamentals program which gives non-profit founders and executive directors the skills and confidence they need to implement the fundamental building blocks of a strong organization.

Paula has 15+ years of human resources experience for 2 national companies. She also served on several boards of directors and is a member of multiple committees that serve and encourage non-profits.

Education: Bachelor’s in Elementary Education

Life Verse: John 15:11 –“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Chris has trained service providers and investigators on both sex and labor trafficking domestically and internationally. He has also conducted undercover and security operations, taught a human trafficking course at the University of Alabama, and regularly speaks at conferences and conducts trainings for key stakeholders. His work has brought him to the Philippines, Cambodia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Taiwan, Jamacia, Thailand and throughout the United States. In 2021 Chris was appointed Coordinator of the Alabama Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance by the Alabama Attorney General.

Publications:

• Lim, C. (2017) The Heart of a Healer, Meadville, Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Williams, J., Lim, C., Trull, V. (2020) Assessment for child trafficking victims. (Roberts, A., Ed.) Social Workers’ Desk Reference. Oxford University Press.
• Williams, J., Lim, C., Trull, V. (2020) Case management for child trafficking victims. (Roberts, A., Ed.) Social Workers’ Desk Reference. Oxford University Press.
• Williams J., Lim C., Trull V., Higgins M. (2020). The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. In: Geffner R., Vieth V., Vaughan-Eden V., Rosenbaum A., Hamberger L., White J. (eds) Handbook of Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_182-1
• Lim, C., Trull, V. (2020) Alabama Uniform Human Trafficking Initiative
• Lim, C., Bolland, A.C., Guzzo, D., Higgins, M., Trull, V., & Williams, J. (2021). Human trafficking and child welfare: A discussion of advocacy, promising practices, and implications. Best Practices in Mental Health.
• Lim, C. (2021). The Heart of a Healer, Second Edition Expanded and Revised, Meadville, Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

Education: Chris has an MBA and is currently a Ph.D. candidate for Public Policy at Liberty University.

Life Verse: Proverbs 31:8-9 –“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” 

In 2017,  after meeting a survivor who had worked The Samaritan Women program and become a nurse, Patricia was so moved by the transforming power and grace of God that she joined the Board of Directors, serving as Treasurer and subsequently, Board Chair for 8 years.  In 2024, and after 28 years in banking, Patricia transitioned to join the Institute for Shelter Care as Chief Relationship Officer.  Her vision is to connect every person and business that has a heart for victims of Human Trafficking into their God-given role in ending this abhorrent trade while ministering to those who have been affected by it.

Patricia and her husband Glenn live in Ellicott City, MD along with their 2 sons, Bradley and Grant, 2 dogs, and 15 chickens (really!). 

Education:  Masters of Business Administration, University of Maryland; Bachelors of Science, Lee University.

Life verse:  Esther 4:14 “Perhaps you were born for such a time as this”

Alexis comes to the Institute with 3 years of experience in college ministries and nonprofits. Alexis graduated in 2022 from Northside School of Ministry. She served on the leadership team with Delight Ministries helping college aged women in their walk with Jesus. Alexis felt called to utilize her spiritual gifting in administration in the anti-trafficking realm. Alexis is honored to be on staff and to have the opportunity to do something she’s passionate about.

Life verse: Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Mel Meyer is a subject matter expert in anti-trafficking residential programming and currently works as a Project Manager at Richmont Graduate University.  She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Criminal Justice and an M.A. in Nonprofit Administration, and is a certified CPI Instructor. Across more than 18 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Mel has gained expertise in coaching anti-trafficking teams to be effective, evidence-based, survivor-informed and sustainably healthy. Most recently, she served as a Program Director with Frontline Response/Out of Darkness Atlanta for nine years – developing an innovative crisis-care model, writing standard operating procedures and grant language, overseeing local operations and multiple chapter launches, and coaching nonprofit agencies at a national level. Mel has been honored to serve on multiple nonprofit boards and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Anti-Trafficking Task Force; has presented promising practices at NCOSE, ICAP Global, and SWAT(GA) conferences; and teaches Shelter Programming courses with The Shelter Institute.

Life verse: Ezekiel 47:12 – “Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”

Shannon has been serving faithfully in the anti-trafficking space for 7 years. Shannon is a Certified Addiction Drug Counselor, a Peer Support Specialist, and a proud survivor leader. She is passionate about the opportunity to use her testimony and experience to empower other survivors to find freedom. Shannon is a wife and a mother to two amazing children.

Ralph brings over twenty years of ministry and nonprofit leadership experience. He is excited to be able to utilize his gifts and passions with the Institute for Survivor Care.

Ralph has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for thirty-one years and has three adult daughters, Ali, Brooke, and Katelyn as well as three grand-puppies, Maddie, Belle, and Remi. He loves being active and is a die-hard Chicago Bears fan so if they are playing, you can find him in front of a TV somewhere.

Life verse: Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

After spending 30 years as an advertising and marketing professional, Linda had a life-changing experience while serving with a mission team from Southeast Christian to the Institute for Survivor Care.  Linda felt called by God to use her communication skills in a volunteer capacity for the Institute for Survivor Care. Since 2016, Linda’s passion for the Institute for Shelter Care has continued to grow, and in September of 2018 she joined the staff as Communications Manager. Linda’s primary role is to help grow the Institute for Shelter Care’s exposure on a national level and be the primary media contact for outside communication.

Education: BA in Advertising with a minor in business administration

Life verse: Hebrews 12:1 –“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Amy comes to the Institute for Survivor Care with more than 25 years of experience in public relations, including the education, nonprofit and business sectors. She hopes to catalyze her passion for TSW to find creative and effective ways to raise awareness about trafficking, the need for shelter care and the important work of TSW-ISC. 

Education: B.S., Retail and Marketing, Miami University; Oxford, Ohio 

Life verse: Psalms 62:5-6  –“My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken”.