In 1986, Beth Knake ran the Crisis hotline at the David Lawrence Center. The helpline was available from 9am to 5pm on Monday through Friday. Beth knew the helpline needed to be 24/7. Beth proceeded to take the helpline on as its own community non-profit and thus beginning Project HELP’s great journey. Beth – Being a pioneer in the 80’s & 90’s, worked diligently with the Violence Against Women’s Act and Movement as well as with the Victims of Crime Act. She worked continuously and tirelessly with the State and many Statewide Committees of Action and was a founder in the creation of the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence. The Florida Council Against Sexual Violence is now the State Certifying Agency for all Rape Crisis Centers in the State of Florida. Project HELP was one of the first Rape Crisis Centers certified in the state in August 1995. The helpline grew to include the Rape Crisis Center as well as a crisis center offering crisis intervention/counseling and court advocacy to all victims of crime through the Victims of Crime Act. In late 2006 Beth retired from the agency. The agency kept growing as needed services kept growing. In 2010, Project HELP worked diligently to successfully bring a forensic rape exam facility in-house. Project HELP’s team consists of a medical director, 1 Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, an executive director, 6 victim advocates (2 bi-lingual; Spanish & Creole) and up to 30 volunteers. Each employee, volunteer, and anyone on the team must complete state certification of 30 hours of Advocacy Core Training as well as 16 hours on the job training and 6 continuing education hours each year.
Project HELP’s goal is always, and will always be re-empowering victims to move forward and recover from what was taken away from them. Project HELP offers coping skills, safety plans, and individual goal planning. Project HELP works with victims so they can recognize, face and solve problems arising from their crime and trauma. We want to be sure all victims know their rights, and never feel alone because HELP is here.
Jennifer Johnson
Board President, Project HELP, Inc.
Owner, True Fashionistas
Jennifer has owned and operated a successful business in SWFL and believes that giving back to the community that gives to her and her team every day is very important. She joined Project HELP because she has an extreme passion for victims of violence as she is an abuse survivor herself....
“Being a knowledgeable community member makes a community grow stronger. Helping those who’s pain and trauma may go unseen survive a difficult time, turns them into survivors who can continue as active strong members in our community.”
Jacques Groenteman
Board President Elect, Project HELP, Inc.
Real Estate Advisor with John R Wood Properties
Naples resident for 23 years. 19 Years Rotarian, Board member Meals of Hope, Southwest College student mentor. Served on the Redevelopment board for the City of Naples 8 years.
“Have been on the board of Project HELP for over 4 years now and have seen what a great service to the community that quite frankly goes unnoticed by the general public. It serves us all 24 hours a day 7 days of the week….”
Bobbi Jo Edwards
Board Secretary, Project HELP, Inc.
Sergeant, Collier County Sheriff’s Office
Bobbi Jo Swarthout, a Naples Native, joined the Collier County Sheriff’s Office in 1997, as a correctional deputy. She has served as a road patrol deputy and as an investigative detective. In 2004, Bobbi Jo was promoted to Sergeant and appointed to the Professional Responsibility Bureau (Internal Affairs). In September 2013 she transferred to the Special Crimes Bureau. Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office Bobbi Jo served in the US Air Force.
Bobbi Jo earned her BS and MPA from Hodges University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Bobbi Jo was awarded 2008 Master’s Student of the Year. In 2009 Bobbi Jo earned the distinction of “40 under 40” by Gulfshore Business Magazine.
As a Certified Training Officer, Bobbi Jo enjoys sharing her experiences in different areas of Law Enforcement to mentor young deputies. She also participates in law studies presentations at local high schools and the CCSO Citizen’s review panel. She is serves on several agency and community committees.
Off the clock Bobbi Jo enjoys spending time with her family and daughters, Megan and Zoë.
Laura Press Spiller
Board Member, Project HELP, Inc.
Local Artist
Laura is a local born entrepreneur and artist. She joined the Project HELP board in 2013 in the hopes to bring the community closer together, in support of all the amazing work the organization does. Project HELP is a wonderful organization that more people need and should know about and I am committed to helping make that happen.
"You have to laugh at yourself, because you'd cry your eyes out if you didn't."
Danielle Matos
Board Member, Project HELP, Inc.
School Teacher
Born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Matos graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice and took a job in the child welfare system, which brought her to Naples where she found her calling as a fourth grade teacher. Even when her daughter was born in 2016 and she chose to become a mom-at-home, she continued to teach English online to children in China. She’s always been drawn to meaningful work that makes a difference in the community.
“I’ve always wanted to be involved in something important. Meaningful. I wanted to make a difference in the world, but never found the perfect fit until I met and befriended a Board member of Project HELP,” states Danielle Matos, who has joined the Board of Directors with a strong commitment to serve. “I didn’t even know there were places like Project HELP. I knew immediately that I wanted to join. Having survived the effects of an abusive relationship when I was younger, I knew I could offer value as an advocate for people in abusive relationships. I want survivors to know that they are not alone, that 100% of our services are free…and that everyone who works there is committed with their whole heart. The people at Project HELP are awesome.”
Anthony Leopizzi
Board Member, Project HELP, Inc.
Anthony J. Leopizzi (CFP, CLU, ChFC, CIMA), has been a Certified Financial Planner and financial advisor, serving the Florida and NY metropolitan area for over 30 years.
Anthony is a graduate from the NY Institute of Technology with a BS in Finance. He started his career as a stockbroker and became a Certified Financial Planner in 1993.
Being born and raised in The Bronx, Anthony attributes his career and success to life experience, losing his father at the age of 8 years old in NYC and having to assist his mother raising him and his younger brother on public assistance as a single mother. “I believe my calling is to help others by ensuring financial success and help prevent them from being vulnerable. Growing up in a single parent household in NYC left me vulnerable as a young man, and this is my way of giving back to help others “.
Anthony thrives on active involvement with his community. He is currently 3rd Degree Knight with St. Elizabeth Seton council 4357 and is a member of the Knights on Bikes. Anthony was a past President of the Financial Planning Association in the Greater Hudson Valley from 2003-2009, and an active member today.
Anthony currently lives in Naples, FL with his wonderful wife, Jadis. He is a proud father of two wonderful daughters, Michela and Amanda. In his spare time, he enjoys, golf, tennis and mixed Martial Arts.
Sgt Eric Noe
Board Member
Erik was born and raised in Naples, Florida. His family has been in Naples for 65 years. Erik is married with two girls, 18 and 14. Erik’s oldest daughter currently attends Mars Hill University on a swimming scholarship.
The City of Naples hired Erik in January 2006. He was assigned to road patrol, where he worked as a proactive patrol officer on the night shift. He made one of his focuses to be, taking drunk drivers off the road. He worked diligently as a road officer making many DUI arrests during his time on the road. In August of 2011, Erik was promoted to the Criminal Investigations Division as a general crimes detective. He found his true passion for death/homicide investigations and became the lead Homicide Investigator. While in CID, he obtained his master’s degree in Public Administration. This allowed him to become an adjunct professor for Florida Gulf Coast University. In March of 2021, Erik was promoted to Sergeant in the road patrol division. Erik currently oversees a dayshift squad of patrol officers.
Kerri Hixson
Board Member
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Kerri Hixson graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a major in Psychology and a minor in Spanish and is currently completing her Master’s in Business Administration. Her professional career started in Adoption caseworker before she moved into the Courts as a probation officer and felony case manager. She currently works as the Operations Division Manager of the Collier County Courthouse.
In her free time, Kerri enjoys training karate, beach volleyball, and pickleball as well as spending time with her two children.
She believes that active participation in our community is the best way to strengthen it. “Project Help is instrumental in providing support to survivors of crime in Collier County and it is a true privilege to support them in their mission.”
Ariella VanHara
Board Member
Ariella VanHara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Qualified Supervisor (QS). She has primarily worked with adults and children through direct client care providing therapy and immediate crisis services to clients. She has also held other administrative roles overseeing the operations for an inpatient psychiatric unit. She is now currently a Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work. She also provides counseling services to the college population.
Ariella has her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Florida Gulf Coast University, and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Indiana University. She is also a Youth Mental Health First Aid trainer. She was part of the Florida National Suicide Lifeline 988 implementation task force. She won the Leadership award at her previous agency for demonstrating integrity and leadership skills. She has also taken leadership development trainings.
When Ariella is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two young children, dog and cat. She also enjoys reading and spending time outdoors.
Kim Kossler, MPH, RN, CPH
Board Member
Administrator & Health Officer
Florida Department of Health in Collier County
As the Administrator and Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health in Collier County, Kim Kossler oversees two health department locations, in Naples and Immokalee, over 130 employees, and a $15 million budget. Mrs. Kossler began her career in public health in 2004. Prior to her current role, she held several varied and responsible public health positions in communicable diseases, emergency planning and response, and management of essential programs at local county health departments.
Mrs. Kossler received her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and a Master’s Degree of Public Health from East Carolina University, North Carolina. She was awarded a Graduate Certificate in the Field of Epidemiology by the University of North Carolina’s School of Public Health. She is Certified in Public Health through the National Board of Public Health Examiners and a Member of the Charter Class as a participant in the first examination. Mrs. Kossler earned her Nursing Degree through Palm Beach State College. She completed the Florida Department of Health Public Health Executive Leadership Certificate Program with the University of South Florida (USF) College of Public Health.
Mrs. Kossler currently serves and participates on several state, regional and local work groups and committees including the Florida Department of Health Communicable Disease and Epidemiology Program Council Work Group, the Florida Department of Health Southwest Alliance of County Health Officers, Circuit 20 Child Abuse Death Review Leadership Committee, Regional HIV/AIDS Advisory Consortia, Collier County Community Assessment Advisor Committee, Collier County Community Drug Response Team, Southwest Florida Blue Zones Steering Committee, Project Help, Inc. Board of Directors member, and Leadership Collier Class of 2023 Alumni.
Mrs. Kossler is dedicated to the field of public health and proud to serve as a public health leader supporting the health department’s mission and priorities. She is committed to continue the work on improving overall health and making positive contributions for Collier County. Mrs. Kossler values the opportunities public health brings, along with the rewards and challenges, all the while making a difference in people’s lives.
Project HELP works with dignity and compassion to ease the pain of those affected by rape, violence, crime or loss of a loved one.
To provide members of our community, regardless of age, financial status, ethnicity and identity with access to our 24 hour Crisis and Referral Helpline, Sexual Assault Response Services, Crime Victim Advocacy, Sudden Death Response and Crisis Intervention Services. We strive to HELP those affected by violence, sudden death and trauma.
The employees, Board of Directors and volunteers are a highly motivated group of professionals working together to provide exceptional evidence based survivor services, offering empowerment, growth and education while being fiscally responsible and transparent. We believe in enriching lives. This allows all survivors to follow a journey of healing, making tomorrow a better day and making a genuine difference in our community.