THOMAS NETTESHEIMEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
At the age of 18, Thomas walked up to an unmanned booth with pamphlets on a table about preteen kids being sold for sex. In shock, he wondered “How can this could be okay?” He looked up the organization behind the pamphlets and his journey began by donating to Rescue Freedom International (now called Atlas Free). When Thomas and his wife moved to Florida in 2015, they learned that Florida was number 3 in the country for reported cases. He felt the need to do more. He spoke to a leader at Rescue Freedom who encouraged him to raise awareness. After hosting two successful events and learning about the need for more education and safe housing for survivors, Thomas made the decision to start Restoring Oaks. He worked at Constant Contact for 12 years, where he has learned much about marketing for small businesses and nonprofits. He is currently working at ACS Technologies as a Ministry Success Manager. He also finished his bachelor’s in Psychology at Liberty University. |
MARIBETH BAKER-TONERBOARD MEMBER/YOUTH OUTREACH COORDINATOR
I joined Restoring Oaks in January of 2022 and immediately knew after the first board meeting that I needed to represent them as a survivor. In 2011, I was deeply involved in drug addiction and got involved with an escort service where I was not only trafficked but badly abused until I was able to escape. Since then, I have been able to get my associates degree in criminal justice, I’ve learned more about sex and human trafficking and how passionate I truly am about fighting against it, and helping support fellow survivors! I attend, and advocate, for a recovery program called Celebrate Recovery, which helped me in my recovery journey and I believe it can be of great assistance to others. I am on the leadership team for Celebrate Recovery at my church, Awaken. My clean date is January 18th 2018. I am a substitute teacher for Charlotte County and a mother of a 4 year old little girl. With this, I have become even more passionate about educating others and helping prevent our children from experiencing trafficking! My goal is to run youth prevention and empowerment seminars in our county and those surrounding, get into our schools, especially our middle and high schools, and youth groups in local churches. |
DR. ELISA NILES-THORNETREASURER/COUNSELOR
Elisa A. Niles, PhD., LMHC-S, NCC, CCTP, CCMHC RPT-S, Current Positions: Core Faculty at Hodges University in the CMHC Program Licenses/Certifications: LMHC, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Prepare Enrich Facilitator, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Board Certified Counselor, Board Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, trained in Traumatic Incident Reduction. Specialty Focus: Children, Adolescents and Adults, Trauma, and Christian Counseling. |
Elisa Niles is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida. She is also a Board Certified Counselor and a qualified supervisor for mental health interns and marriage and family therapist interns. Elisa is a 2016 recipient of the National Board of Certified Counselor- Minority Doctoral Fellowship Program. She completed her education at the University of the Virgin Islands 2002, 2005 and Argosy University in 2009. She completed her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Walden University in 2019. Her dissertation examined the Impact of Trauma on Reoccurring Homelessness in the U. S. Virgin Islands.
Elisa served as the membership chair of Chi Sigma Iota-Omega Zeta Chapter, community lay director for the Suncoast Emmaus Community, member- at- large for the Florida Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development. She also served on the following Board of Directors: Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, Chair of the Continuing Education Committee for the Florida Association for Play Therapy, and Co-Chair for the Florida Counseling Association Convention Committee. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Restoring Oaks, Inc.
She has presented at local, state, and national conferences. She now a published contributing author in the textbook: Fazio-Griffith, L. J., & Marino, R. (Eds.). (2021). Techniques and Interventions for Play Therapy and Clinical Supervision. IGI Global. http://doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-4628-4
She is Owner and Founder of SoundMind Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC. Elisa was born in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, but has also lived in Jamaica and Antigua. She enjoys singing, dancing, traveling, going to the beach, and trying new foods.
Elisa served as the membership chair of Chi Sigma Iota-Omega Zeta Chapter, community lay director for the Suncoast Emmaus Community, member- at- large for the Florida Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development. She also served on the following Board of Directors: Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, Chair of the Continuing Education Committee for the Florida Association for Play Therapy, and Co-Chair for the Florida Counseling Association Convention Committee. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Restoring Oaks, Inc.
She has presented at local, state, and national conferences. She now a published contributing author in the textbook: Fazio-Griffith, L. J., & Marino, R. (Eds.). (2021). Techniques and Interventions for Play Therapy and Clinical Supervision. IGI Global. http://doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-4628-4
She is Owner and Founder of SoundMind Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC. Elisa was born in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, but has also lived in Jamaica and Antigua. She enjoys singing, dancing, traveling, going to the beach, and trying new foods.
NICOLE GRANT
COUNSELOR/SECRETARY
Nicole has been working in the mental health field for over 20 years with an emphasis area in crisis services, trauma recovery, substance use treatments and recovery, co-occurring diagnoses, as well as severe and persistent mental illnesses. She is currently working toward obtaining her Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor credentials. She currently holds a team lead and clinician position at a Charlotte County BehavioralHealth Center. Additionally, she is a current board member of Restoring Oaks.
Originally from Ohio, Nicole has had the opportunity to work in various positions within the mental health field throughout the US. She worked as program manager for a TBI residential program in Colorado. She was a clinician for a life skill day program and residential program for individuals diagnosed with SPMI in Maryland and she has worked in correctional mental health care settings in Washington DC, Ohio and Maryland.
Nicole uses both individual and group therapy, utilizing a variety of Evidence Based Practices (EBP’s) tailored to the individual needs of the patient. Types of
therapy/interventions she provides include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused interventions, Strengths-based Therapy. By combining interventions of behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy, Nicole hopes to give people more ownership and credit in controlling and managing their own mental health and wellbeing while improving their lives, relationships and health.
Nicole has been working in the mental health field for over 20 years with an emphasis area in crisis services, trauma recovery, substance use treatments and recovery, co-occurring diagnoses, as well as severe and persistent mental illnesses. She is currently working toward obtaining her Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor credentials. She currently holds a team lead and clinician position at a Charlotte County BehavioralHealth Center. Additionally, she is a current board member of Restoring Oaks.
Originally from Ohio, Nicole has had the opportunity to work in various positions within the mental health field throughout the US. She worked as program manager for a TBI residential program in Colorado. She was a clinician for a life skill day program and residential program for individuals diagnosed with SPMI in Maryland and she has worked in correctional mental health care settings in Washington DC, Ohio and Maryland.
Nicole uses both individual and group therapy, utilizing a variety of Evidence Based Practices (EBP’s) tailored to the individual needs of the patient. Types of
therapy/interventions she provides include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused interventions, Strengths-based Therapy. By combining interventions of behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy, Nicole hopes to give people more ownership and credit in controlling and managing their own mental health and wellbeing while improving their lives, relationships and health.
DANIELLE BISHOPBOARD MEMBER/LICENSED COUNSELOR
Danielle M. Bishop, MS, LMHC-S, RPT and trained SMART Recovery facilitator. Danielle is currently a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Registered Play Therapist and a Qualified supervisor in the state of Florida. She currently holds a team lead and licensed clinician in the elementary school setting in Sarasota County. Additionally, she is a current board member of Restoring Oaks. Before moving to Florida in 2013, Danielle worked in partial care settings and as a crisis counselor in response to Hurricane Sandy. She has furthered her experience with work in a hospital setting with adults, private practice with all ages and the school system with elementary aged children. She strives to empower those she gets the privilege to work with to overcome personal obstacles to improve their overall well-being. This is done by creating a safe and nurturing atmosphere in which individuals can be supported in their efforts to change and grow. |
AMBER CHRISTOPHERBOARD MEMBER
I have been passionately working with both the victims and the survivors of Human Trafficking for over 5 years. My experience started on the Las Vegas Strip, working with the Metro Police Department, meeting the victims on the street and providing resources while they were working. I answered the National Rape Crisis Hotline and met the victims at the hospital as their advocate for 2 years. I am currently volunteering with Selah Freedom as a survivor mentor. I also go into the Manatee County Jail every other week to teach the ladies about self esteem and provide other resources. I am very passionate about educating the community and working with Restoring Oaks in order to accomplish their mission. |
Kettelene HilaireBOARD MEMBER
My name is Kettelene (Kate-Lynn) Hilaire originally from Brooklyn New York. I am a wife and mother of 2 beautiful children, a boy and a girl. I joined Restoring Oaks late 2022, Thomas brought his vision for Restoring Oaks to my attention and told me all about the mission and I instantly knew this Organization had a purpose for me. I Moved here late 2016 in December and continued my journey in retail then a year later started my journey in the health & medical field. Former CNA for 5-6 years and currently a Law Enforcement Correctional Officer working in the Prison locally. My passion relies on the care for others ensuring they are safe and have everything they need. I have a passionate drive to help those who are not confident in coming out to speak or tell their story. I love singing and listening to Praise and Worship music, serving anywhere I am needed, spending quality time with my family but most importantly I love going out meeting new people, educating them and also learning myself to better myself in the community and help others in the community. I serve in the kitchen ministry, shower Ministry and Guest Experience team providing care and love to all I encounter. |
Lucinda Crowe-LayneBOARD MEMBER
I've been a licensed cosmetologist for over 30 years and a licensed instructor for 20 years. I've traveled all over the United States teaching and doing platform work. I led Awaken Your Beautiful’s online learning center for cosmetologists. I founded MakeoverPro this year to serve women in recovery from substance abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Part of my work is to give women makeovers so they can see in the mirror the beautiful changes they are working hard to make inside. We create online experiences for cosmetologists to receive continuing education, provide makeover tips through our YouTube channel, and will be selling merchandise online as well. 10% of our profits go to our makeover fund to do free makeovers on women in recovery. |
Linda Bone
BOARD MEMBER
I moved to Florida from Las Vegas, Nevada in November of 2017. While living in Las Vegas I was involved, through my Church, in assisting with a safe house for victims of sex trafficking. I am currently retired and enjoying serving in my community and Church. During my working years I was involved in Administrative Management being heavily involved in Accounting, Operations and Training. The last eleven years I worked in the technology field for a software company as a Project Manager and Senior Trainer. Previously I had volunteered for a local Pregnancy Care Group for a year and a half. But felt God tugging at my heart to find a group involved in the fight against Human Trafficking. With a little research and help from a friend I found and got connected to Restoring Oaks. I am so thankful that God has led me here and is allowing me to follow my passion. My heart is all in on doing whatever I can to support and be of help to this wonderful organization. |
Melissa JacksonBOARD MEMBER/SURVIVOR COMMITTEE MEMBER
Melissa has been working for Restoring Oaks as a volunteer since 2022 and is an active member of the trauma support group for survivors. She is also on the survivor committee volunteering as a survivor advocate. Melissa is very passionate about the Restoring Oaks mission to help stop human trafficking. She has a calling to help survivors get out of the lifestyle. She has knowledge of what they are going through and what it takes to get out of this deep, dark, and evil lifestyle. She currently holds a position as office manager for a small private dental office in North Port, Florida. For 10 years prior to moving to Florida, Melissa held a position at Jackson and Associates as office manager. Jackson and Associates worked with underprivileged at-risk minority youth in the Reynolds School District in Fairview, Oregon. Prior to this, she worked for 15 years in Portland Oregon as a lead expanded function dental assistant with x-ray certification for two small private dental offices. She taught and trained new dental assistants in the field and helped them get their x-ray certifications, coaching them on all aspects of working as a successful dental assistant. Melissa enjoys decorating, gardening, Bible studies, shopping, and spending time with her family and friends. She is a mother of two grown children and five grandchildren. She loves learning new things and playing with her dog, Pierre. |