Five Leaders Retire from Hopeful Horizons' Board
December 31, 2022, marked the end of an era for Hopeful Horizons’ Board of Directors when a number of our long-term board members completed their terms of office.
Andre Nougaret, Terri Brashears and Meredith Bannon have something special in common. They were all involved in the merger of Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse (CODA) and Hope Haven that created Hopeful Horizons. CODA provided shelter, legal services, counseling, advocacy and outreach to survivors of domestic violence while Hope Haven was the area’s children’s advocacy and rape crisis center.
The merger was finalized in January of 2017. Today, we continue to enhance and expand services, to grow and to learn and to re-affirm our commitment to our core values – compassion, collaboration and a commitment to excellence.
“Terri, Andre and Meredith came over from Hope Haven’s board after the merger and they embraced the new mission of Hopeful Horizons whole-heartedly,” said Kristin Dubrowski, Hopeful Horizons’ CEO. “Each of the three helped lead the organization by serving in the board chair role during Hopeful Horizons’ first five years.”
Sandi Atkins and Mark Solow also retired from Hopeful Horizons’ Board of Directors at the end of 2022.
“Sandi and Mark both joined Hopeful Horizons’ board during its first year, in 2017. They immediately jumped in and asked challenging questions to help move the organization forward. Both shared their business and financial expertise to help strengthen the organization and its operations. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to work with and learn from each of these five amazing mentors,” Kristin said.
Andre shared that he and his wife came to the Lowcountry 11 years ago after serving 35 years as a public school educator.
“Over the years, serving in many different positions, I came in contact with so many children who experienced abuse, sexual and other forms. Hope Haven (soon to become Hopeful Horizons) had me at ‘hello.’ The past 10 years have been amazing, and I have learned so much,” he said.
“I have been and continue be so proud of Hopeful Horizons. They truly bring hope, healing and restoration,” Andre Nougaret said.
Terri said how proud she is of the work of Hopeful Horizons – “I’m thankful for the dedicated work the staff of Hopeful Horizons gives to protect, treat, and bring light to our most precious resources, our children.”
Meredith talked about her experience on the board and said she “found it rewarding and the strongest way to have a profound impact on our community.”
Thank you to all of our board members who serve Hopeful Horizons, and thank you to Terri, Andre, Meredith Sandi and Mark for their service.
2023 marks Hopeful Horizons’ 40th anniversary based on the founding of the first iteration of the rape crisis program in Beaufort in 1983. Our commitment to assisting victims/survivors has only grown over the years. Hopeful Horizons helps to empower victims, educates the public and provides a one-stop shop for victims of violence and abuse. We believe in the importance of advocating for victims/survivors and educating the public on the connection between child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. Hopeful Horizons believes in putting victims’ needs first and sending a powerful message that we all have a part to play in ending the cycle of violence and abuse.
