Naomi Harris-Stanton

Executive Director of GAP Ministries in Augusta, GA

Richmond County, Georgia, United States Contact Info
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About

I graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Il. I had originally thought that I wanted to work for the government- how, I wasn't sure. I spent the year after graduation in Springfield, IL as a Dunn Fellow when governor Edgar was in office. I experienced several aspect of government and it was eye-opening.The next four years were spent in Europe because my husband was stationed first in Vicenza, Italy and then Schweinfurt, Germany. I volunteered a great deal as a military spouse, taught English to Italian teens and then spent 2 years as the Spouse Abuse/Child Abuse Contractor for Family Advocacy in Germany. After returning to the states, I was a new Mommy and we moved several more times; GA TN, IL, NY, and then GA, again. While I never earned a paycheck, I did run our Family Support Group for Bravo Company, I-502nd at Ft.Campbell while our soldiers fought hard in Iraq. I was emotionally and physically pushed in ways I never thought possible but it made me who I am today. After years of working as a volunteer, we moved to Columbia, MD. I worked at the Columbia Jewish Congregation as their teen advisor and decided to go back to school. It took me 3 years, but I earned a certificate in Clinical Mental Healthcare from UMUC. It was exactly what I wanted to do! After a chance meeting with good people, I was invited to sit on the Committee to End Homelessness. It was there that I got introduced to the staff at Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. I was graciously invited by Patti Taylor, who runs the Career Services Office in the shelter, to volunteer with her and then eventually, I became an employee.Working with people in transition has been incredibly fulfilling and something I am very passionate about- I left Grassroots and then began working for Girls On The Run. GOTR is an incredible non-profit that helps young girls realize their worth and help achieve their full potential. After a couple of years, my husband received orders to our now current stomping grounds, Augusta, GA. After briefly working for the Department of Community Supervision, specifically working in the Re-Entry program, helping “returning citizens” with resources (I was working in Augusta State Medical Prison, Jenkins and Emanuel Women’s Prison) I then left and discovered The Bail Project was opening a site in Augusta, GA and I jumped at the chance to work for them as a client advocate/Bail Disruptor. After 3 years and no notice, our site was closed. I then applied to be GAP Ministries first Executive Director and I can honestly say I have found my rainbow!

Contributions

Activity

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Experience

  • GAP MINISTRIES OF AUGUSTA INC Graphic

    Executive Director

    GAP MINISTRIES OF AUGUSTA INC

    - Present 1 year 5 months

    United States

    GAP Ministries is committed to providing a “one-stop” service location to help people seeking to reclaim their physical and spiritual well-being, or to assist them with the extra support that they need to maintain a stable and secure lifestyle. Transportation and the time spent waiting in line is a problem for most people living in the margins of society. If they can get assistance for multiple needs in one place, it can relieve a lot of stress. With this goal, we are considering how we can…

    GAP Ministries is committed to providing a “one-stop” service location to help people seeking to reclaim their physical and spiritual well-being, or to assist them with the extra support that they need to maintain a stable and secure lifestyle. Transportation and the time spent waiting in line is a problem for most people living in the margins of society. If they can get assistance for multiple needs in one place, it can relieve a lot of stress. With this goal, we are considering how we can expand as we continue the renovation of our building. GAP is a 501c and highly respected in the Augusta, GA, community. We partner with Operation Refresh to offer free showers to our clients as well as provide free medical care, a food pantry, assist with case management and provide empathy while giving a hand-up to those in need.

  • The Bail Project Graphic

    Client Advocate

    The Bail Project

    - 3 years 5 months

    As a Client Advocate, or Bail Disruptor, I help individuals who are detained in the Richmond County Jail in Augusta, GA. As a strong advocate of ending the “cash bail” model, I provide the funds so they are able to resume their normal life until they are to return to court. At The Bail Project, we offer what is referred to as “wrap around services”. With this, I am able to provide an individual transportation to see their lawyer as well as assisting them with getting to court. Should a person…

    As a Client Advocate, or Bail Disruptor, I help individuals who are detained in the Richmond County Jail in Augusta, GA. As a strong advocate of ending the “cash bail” model, I provide the funds so they are able to resume their normal life until they are to return to court. At The Bail Project, we offer what is referred to as “wrap around services”. With this, I am able to provide an individual transportation to see their lawyer as well as assisting them with getting to court. Should a person require any type of rehab, I work closely with the incredible Social Services Division in the Public Defenders Office and make sure a person gets the help that they need and deserve. Once a person is arrested and a judge sets that persons bond, if they do not have the personal finances, they could be facing months if not years in jail while waiting for their turn in a courtroom. What I have the privilege of doing is help a person so that regardless of their financial status, if they qualify, they can get back to work, their family and not feel obligated to take a plea in order to get out of jail. It is an honor to work for The Bail Project and I feel lucky every single day to be helping to make the world a better place- one person at a time.

  • Girls on the Run Central Maryland Graphic

    Program Coordinator

    Girls on the Run Central Maryland

    - 4 years 10 months

    Columbia, MD

    Girls on the Run is an OUTSTANDING organization that promotes all of the best qualities you'd want a little woman to have.....It's run BY women FOR lil' women and it empowers girls to do their best, give their best and know that they deserve the best. Positive Self Esteem, Self Awareness, Community Service and Personal Strength both emotionally and physically are what makes this program so fantastic!

  • Teen Advisor

    Columbia Jewish Congregation

    - 2 years 5 months

    Columbia, MD

Education

Volunteer Experience

  • Career Services

    Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center

    - Present 11 years 7 months

    Started as a volunteer helping those in transition find employment. Patti Taylor was my mentor and she took me under her wing- she taught me about homelessness issues, employment services and allowed me to navigate my way with the residents and achieve employment success. Incredibly satisfying!

  • Outreach Relations Specialist

    Arthritis Introspective

    - Present 10 years

    Health

    Arthritis Introspective is an awesome organization that provides education and support for folks living with RA, JA and Arthritis. After getting my own diagnosis of RA, I immediately searched to find information and support and was welcomed with open arms- it has literally been heaven sent for me and my grasping all that is Rheumatoid Arthritis. It's a personal process and nothing short of a journey. The goal of RI is to eventually have support groups/representation in every state and mine…

    Arthritis Introspective is an awesome organization that provides education and support for folks living with RA, JA and Arthritis. After getting my own diagnosis of RA, I immediately searched to find information and support and was welcomed with open arms- it has literally been heaven sent for me and my grasping all that is Rheumatoid Arthritis. It's a personal process and nothing short of a journey. The goal of RI is to eventually have support groups/representation in every state and mine will be the first in Maryland- to me, that is thrilling!

  • Arthritis Foundation Graphic

    Jingle Bell Run Adult Honoree

    Arthritis Foundation

    - Present 8 years 8 months

    Health

    As an Outreach Relations Specialist for Arthritis Introspective, I became interested in my local Arthritis Foundation's local office in Columbia, MD. After meeting the wonderful people who are championing the effort to help find a cure for numerous types of arthritis and spread awareness, I was asked to be the Adult Honoree at the Baltimore, MD, Jingle Bell Run. With my team, I was able to raise over $8,000 and through social media, spread the word about the Arthritis Foundation and educate…

    As an Outreach Relations Specialist for Arthritis Introspective, I became interested in my local Arthritis Foundation's local office in Columbia, MD. After meeting the wonderful people who are championing the effort to help find a cure for numerous types of arthritis and spread awareness, I was asked to be the Adult Honoree at the Baltimore, MD, Jingle Bell Run. With my team, I was able to raise over $8,000 and through social media, spread the word about the Arthritis Foundation and educate folks who thought ALL arthritis was "your Grandmother's arthritis".....Nothing could be further from the truth. It was an extreme honor for me and my family.

  • Advisor

    Fort Gordon Spouses and Civilians Club

    - Present 3 years 2 months

    Social Services

    Fort Gordon Spouses and Civilians Club is a 501c non-profit on Fort Gordon. It’s sole purpose is to help make the lives better for the spouses, civilians soldiers and their children. As an organization, we created a Resource Room in Freedom Park school and are constantly trying to create opportunities to work with soldiers and their families. We have a functioning board of military spouses and civilians and we continue to evolve as the needs of the military community continue to grow and change…

    Fort Gordon Spouses and Civilians Club is a 501c non-profit on Fort Gordon. It’s sole purpose is to help make the lives better for the spouses, civilians soldiers and their children. As an organization, we created a Resource Room in Freedom Park school and are constantly trying to create opportunities to work with soldiers and their families. We have a functioning board of military spouses and civilians and we continue to evolve as the needs of the military community continue to grow and change on Fort Gordon.

  • The Salvation Army Graphic

    Advisory Board Member

    The Salvation Army

    - Present 2 years 2 months

    Social Services

    Salvation Army in Augusta, GA, is constantly evolving to help meet the needs of families and individuals in need of a hand UP. Grateful to be a part of their tremendous growth.

  • Advisor

    Christnas House

    - Present 3 years

    i18n_veterans

    The Christmas House is a 501c located on Fort Gordon. They provide, thru donations, a generous and beautiful holiday season for the children of our service members. Toys, books, board games, stocking stuffers and even toys for your furry family members.

  • Salvation Army Graphic

    Development Chair

    Salvation Army

    - Present 1 year 8 months

    Poverty Alleviation

  • Secretary

    Homeless Taskforce

    - Present 1 year 10 months

    Poverty Alleviation

    The Homeless Task Force in Augusta is working diligently to combat and prevent homelessness.

  • Rotary Graphic

    Member

    Rotary

    - Present 2 years 1 month

    Civil Rights and Social Action

    #serviceaboveself

  • AUSA Greater Augusta - Fort Eisenhower Chapter Graphic

    Vice President of Family Programs

    AUSA Greater Augusta - Fort Eisenhower Chapter

    - Present 1 month

    i18n_veterans

Publications

  • Chicken Soup For The Military Wife’s Soul-101 Stories To Touch The Heart

    Simon and Schuster

    Grateful to have been able to contribute to such a personally meaningful project.

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