Our Mission & Vision

Our mission is to reduce the trauma of child abuse by assisting in the investigation, assessment, prosecution, and ongoing treatment. As an organization, it is our vision that every child is entitled to a life free of violence and full of possibilities.

Hope of South Texas

About the Organization

In January 2002, the children’s advocacy component of Hope of South Texas, Inc was established. The 501 (c)(3) organization was established to assist in combating child abuse by partnering with: Law Enforcement Agencies, Texas Department of Family & Protective Services – Children’s Protective Investigations, District Attorneys, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, and Mental Health Professionals.

Hope of South Texas is a proud of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, which is the most developed statewide children’s advocacy membership association in the nation. Hope of South Texas, as an associate member of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, is on its path to becoming an accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance.

Staff & Leadership

Hope of South Texas is comprised of a team of qualified professionals with a vast knowledge of child protection, child abuse identification and prevention, and child development.

Administration

Meagen Gumm, LCSW

Interim Executive DIrector

Misty Kulik

Financial Assistant

Clinical Department

Hope of South Texas Clinical Team are dedicated to staying up to date on training and education specific to dealing with trauma. Clinical staff will provide trauma treatment that best fits the needs of each individual. Current treatments include, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI), Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Meagen Gumm, LCSW-S

Director of Clinical Services

Trauma Trained

[email protected]

Stefanie Thayer, LPC

Trauma Trained

Monica Wall

Clinical Support Specialist & family advocate

Heather Clayton, LMSW

Trauma Trained

Community Education Department

Shelby Coleman LPC Associate

Trauma Trained

Intake Department

Yasmin Rios

MDT Support Specialist

[email protected]

Ashley Cavazos

Family Advocate/Forensic Interviewer

[email protected]

Aaron Gohlke

Intake Support Specialist

[email protected]

Myra Garcia

Forensic Interviewer

[email protected]

Michelle Rubio

Lead Forensic Interviewer

[email protected]

Board of Directors

Christopher Krejci

Board Chair

CPA/Consultant/Financial Advisor

Sheriff Justin Marr

Vice President

Monica Rodriguez

Secretary

Gary Worsham

Treasurer

Certified Financial Planner, Retired – Wells Fargo

Diane Kliem

Attorney/CPA/Mediator

David Coffey

Attorney

Capt. Eline Moya

Victoria Police Department

Constance Filley Johnson

Victoria County District Attorney

Thomas Dillard

Victoria Co

Elaine Everett-Hensley

Prosperity Bank Center President

Monica Rodriquez

1st Community Bank, Vice President

Dr Ruth Constant

SECRETARY

Ruth Constant and Associates

Jill Hawkins

Investigations Supervisor, Child Protective Investigations