Signs of Hope is fortunate to have a dedicated and diverse staff with varied backgrounds and expertise.
Administration:
Daniele Staple, MSW
Executive Director
Daniele joined Signs of Hope as Executive Director in March 2013. Prior to joining SOH, Since moving here in 1996, Ms. Staple has served in several other leadership positions in the non-profit community in Southern Nevada. Most notably, she served as Executive Director of Henderson Allied Community Advocates DBA HopeLink from February 2002 until August 2011, helping to dramatically expand the budget and programs of the organization. Daniele was involved in numerous innovative and collaborative projects involving housing programs and child welfare.
Prior to joining HopeLink, Daniele worked in several capacities with the American Cancer Society. She holds both a bachelor’s and MSW from Washington University In St. Louis. Daniele is a graduate of the 2005 Leadership Henderson class and was recognized as a “Woman to Watch” for 2016 by Vegas Magazine.
Contact Daniele Dreitzer: Daniele@rcclv.org
Brittany Perez
Office Manager
Brittany joined Signs of Hope in September 2018. Brittany has a background in serving as an administrator for Substance Recovery Programs. Brittany supports the fiscal, HR, and bookkeeping functions at SOH, as well as assisting with special events.
Contact Brittany Perez: Brittany@rcclv.org
Tia S.
Director of Community Engagement
Engaging with all aspects of our community, and reaching and serving all survivors of sexual violence and exploitation is key to our mission. As the Director of Community Engagement, Tia is creating and reinforcing connections with community partners, as well as overseeing the recruitment, retention and celebration of our amazing volunteers. Tia joined the team in September 2020 with a strong background in sports marketing and volunteer management.
Contact Tia: Tia@sohlv.org
Advocacy:
Signs of Hope has advocates serving in many different settings, including court, schools, jails and prisons, homeless shelters, and doing phone support and hospital accompaniment.
Kathy S.
Director of Advocacy Services
Kathy is rejoining the SOH team, having previously served as the Juvenile and Family Advocate. She has also worked extensively with child welfare. Kathy oversees the variety of advocates and advocacy services, and works closely with internal and external partners to assure greater access to our services for those seeking support
Contact Kathy S: Kathy@rcclv.org
Wendy L.
(Bilingual – Spanish)
Bilingual Program Manager
Wendy has served in a variety of capacities since joining SOH team in 2009. In her current role, Wendy oversees all services, programs, and outreach with the Latinx community. She is also very involved in court and criminal justice advocacy efforts and long-term support for victims as they go through the long process after an assault to bring perpetrators to justice. Wendy is passionate about getting critical safety and awareness information out to the Latinx community, in particular serving families dealing with the aftermath of child sexual abuse, and making sure the SOH’s services in Spanish continue to expand. Wendy has lived in Las Vegas since the mid-1990’s.
Contact Wendy L.: Wendy@rcclv.org
Sindy C.
(Bilingual – Spanish)
Client Services Coordinator
Sindy joined Signs of Hope at the beginning of 2018. Prior to joining SOH, Sindy has worked for other community organizations in the Las Vegas area including in which she has provided case management, basic skills training and school side supports to individuals and families. Sindy earned a Master’s degree in International Human Rights and Genocide Studies from Kingston University, London, UK.
Contact Sindy: Sindy@rcclv.org
Prevention, Education and Outreach
Sexual violence can be prevented by changing the views and behaviors of young people, through bystander intervention, and through widespread education of children from a young age that empowers them regarding their own body boundaries.
The Vision of the Prevention and Education Department is: Prevention through Education, and the Mission is: To offer prevention through education to build healthy relationships and promote responsibility to end violence in all communities by shifting how we value ourselves and each other.
Debbie Harpster
Anti-human trafficking Training Specialist
Contact Debbie Harpster: Debbie@rcclv.org
R.I.S.E. (Resources and Integration for Survivor Empowerment) Team:
R.I.S.E. is a comprehensive case management program for those that have been impacted by any form of human trafficking. Referrals are taken from Law Enforcement, Medical Professionals, other Service Providers, and community referrals.
Claudia
Case Manager – Bilingual (Spanish)
Stephanie
Case Manager
Marissa
Case Manager – Bilingual (Spanish)
Socorro
Intern Coordinator
Counseling Center:
We have multiple counselors providing services in English and Spanish and serving clients ages 3 and up who have been impacted by sexual abuse, assault, and human trafficking in our counseling center. Language line services for those speaking other languages are available.
Kathleen Bergquist, JD, Ph.D., LCSW
Clinical Director – Signs of Hope
Dr. Bergquist is on the faculty of the UNLV School of Social Work and also serves in many community roles. Dr. Bergquist has been working with Signs of Hope since 2013. She serves as our Clinical Director, overseeing therapeutic services, all of our counseling center staff, and providing organizational direction in the growth and development of our trauma-centered therapeutic services.
Patricia C.
(Bilingual – Spanish) Counseling Center Coordinator
Patricia joined Signs of Hope team in October 2016. Patricia has previously worked in the medical field. Patricia is dedicated to making all clients at SOH feel comfortable and welcome.
Contact Patricia C.: Patricia@rcclv.org
Practicing Therapists:
Ashley Martinez, MS, LCPC
Carolina Villar-Mendez, MS, LCPC
Cheryl (Liz) Carrasco, MSW, LCSW
Dawn Canty, MS, LMFT
Emily Lewis, MA, LMFT-I
Gabriela Meraz, MS, CPC
Glenda Cruz Juarez, MSW, LCSW
Holly Shank, MS, LCPC
Lincon Silva, MSW, LCSW
Sandy Simanton, MSW, LCSW
Sarah Mount, MS, LMFT
Sarah Oettinger, MSW, LCSW
