aBOUT Hope House

Healing Children, Ending Abuse

Children's Advocacy Center - Hope House is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to ending the cycle of child abuse in our community. We provide a path to recovery and a bridge to justice for victims of abuse. CAC Hope House provides forensic interviewing, family advocacy, counseling services, and prevention outreach within St. Tammany and Washington Parishes.

Thomas Mitchell, Hope House Executive Director counseling a child.
Empowering

Our team is here to help & Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

All the professionals involved—forensic interviewers, clinical therapists, advocates, investigators, and more—meet with kids and families at our center. In fact, the St. Tammany Multidisciplinary Team and Washington Parish Multidisciplinary Teams are both headquartered at CAC Hope House. The team includes Hope House staff and representatives from 12 other agencies. Our child-centered environment is a central location for families to get the help they need after abuse has been reported.

We also offer a nationally-recognized, evidence-informed child sexual abuse prevention program, Stewards of Children. For every one adult that takes our training, it is estimated that 10 children are safer and less likely to become victims of sexual abuse.

Twin children looking at and picking out stuffed teddy bears from Hope House's teddy bear wall collection
A teen and Sarah Scanlon, Hope House Clinical Therapist, having a therapy session with crafts.

Our Mission & Vision

Children's Advocacy Center - Hope House is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to ending the cycle of child abuse in our community. We provide a path to recovery and a bridge to justice for victims of abuse.

2023 Snapshot

Impactful Programs & Support

Since its establishment, Hope House CAC has made a significant difference in the lives of countless children and families affected by abuse. Through our comprehensive programs and unwavering support, we have helped survivors find healing and justice.

491

Total Child Abuse Victims Served in 2023

162

Child Abuse Victims Received Healing & Recovery in Therapy in 2023

2,287

Number of Counseling Sessions Facilitated in 2023

1,181

Individuals Trained in Child Abuse & Trafficking Prevention in 2023

Where to Find Us

Our Locations

Children's Advocacy Center - Hope House Headquarters in Covington, LA

Covington Headquarters

Hope House's primary headquarters is located in downtown Covington.

223 W. 28th Avenue, Covington, LA 70433

Children's Advocacy Center - Hope House Satellite Office in Bogalusa, LA

Bogalusa Satellite Office

Hope House's new Bogalusa satellite office, which officially opened in the fall of 2023, provides a comfortable and convenient location for Hope House’s clients in Washington Parish to receive essential services following instances of child abuse.

328 Austin Street, Bogalusa, LA 70427

Staff

Meet Our Team

At Hope House CAC, we have a dedicated team of professionals who are passionate about ending child abuse in our community.

Thomas Mitchell, LPC-S, NCC
Thomas Mitchell, LPC-S, NCC
Executive Director

Thomas helps young abuse victims, builds crucial support networks, and champions child safety through top-notch forensic interviews and community outreach.

Stacy L. Faulkner, LPC-S, NCC
Stacy L. Faulkner, LPC-S, NCC
Clinical Director

Stacy is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor who provides therapy to children and adolescents and supervises the therapy program. She is board certified in Trauma-Focused CBT and trained in various Parenting interventions.

Lorrie Brennan
Lorrie Brennan
Programs Coordinator

Lorrie orchestrates multidisciplinary responses to child abuse while cherishing her role in supporting victims and building a respected advocacy center.

Heather R. Denenea
Heather R. Denenea
Regional Trafficking Care Coordinator

Heather educates, empowers and supports victims and their families while combating child abuse and trafficking through forensic interviewing, care coordination, and prevention programs.

Jennifer Batina, LPC-S, NCC
Jennifer Batina, LPC-S, NCC
Clinical Therapist

Jennifer utilizes various therapies to help traumatized children heal and rediscover their childhood joy.

Sarah Scanlon, MS, LPC, NCC
Sarah Scanlon, MS, LPC, NCC
Clinical Therapist

Sarah uses TF-CBT and resource provision to guide child abuse victims and their caregivers through healing and recovery.

Madalyn Turner
Madalyn Turner
Prevention Coordinator, Forensic Interviewer & Family Advocate

Madalyn uses her skills to conduct child abuse investigations, facilitate prevention programs, and contribute to a supportive team environment.

Meighan Melancon
Meighan Melancon
Family Advocate

Meighan champions swift support for families impacted by child abuse, ensuring education, access to services, and removing barriers to healing.

Christy Atkinson
Christy Atkinson
Director of Finance

Christy safeguards Northshore children by managing Hope House's prevention programs, finances, and community outreach, empowering adults to become protectors.

Meg McCulla
Meg McCulla
Forensic Interviewer

Meg leverages her homeland security expertise and passion for community service to combat human trafficking and support child abuse survivors.

Lane Solow, MHS, PLPC, NCC
Lane Solow, MHS, PLPC, NCC
Trafficking Coordinator

Lane uses TF-CBT to guide child abuse victims and child trafficking victims through healing and recovery.

Christina Ainsworth
Christina Ainsworth
Office Manager & Forensic Interviewer

Christina uses her expertise in criminal justice and sociology to assist child abuse investigations and provide support at Hope House.

Leadership

Meet Our Board of Directors

Our dedicated Board of Directors is committed to our mission.

Executive Officers

Leslie Lyons
President

Regional Administrator - Covington, Orleans & Thibodeaux, DCFS

Rebecca Fenton Henderson, Esq.
Vice President

Attorney

Bonnie Dennis
Treasurer

Former Global Finance Manager - Royal Dutch Shell

Danielle Fridge
Secretary

Commercial Banking Coordinator - b1BANK

Julie Philippus
Past President

VP, Diefenthal Holdings, LLC

Board Members

Jamie Gabourel, J.D.

Senior Vice President, Resource Bank

Gia Baker

District 9, St. Tammany Parish School Board Member

Brian Brown

Director, CyberCrimes Unit, LA Bureau of Investigation

Collin Sims, J.D.

Chief of the Criminal Division, 22nd Judicial District Attorney's Office

Tony LeMon, J.D.

Attorney

Captain Brian Beech

Persons Division Commander, STPSO

Sheila Dugger

Junior League of Greater Covington Sustainer, Community Leader

Holly Boullion

Chief Information Officer, CapinCrouse

Katie-Rose Norman

Director of Advancement, Saint Scholastica Academy

Sylvia Pearson

Community Leader

Allison Vencil

President, Vencil Group LLC

Elizabeth Abernathy

Cox Automotive

Rebecca Birkett

Principal, Lyon Elementary School

Lesley Beard

Department of Veterans Affairs - RN/Patient Care Manager

Bo Jakins

CEO, BridgeNet Technology Consultants

Join the Fight Against Child Abuse

Make a difference in the lives of abused children by donating or volunteering.