Sue Ellen recently joined Prevention Coalition of St. Johns County as Executive Director in August 2020. She brings over 25 years of professional experience in the prevention field. For 15 years she was the Executive Director of Aware Central Texas, a non-profit organization with a mission of child abuse and domestic violence prevention. Aware provided a range of services to over 11,000 individuals each year in the Central Texas region.
She recently moved back home to Florida where she lives on the banks of the St. Johns River with her husband where they enjoy boating and staying in touch with their 3 children and 8 grandchildren. Sue Ellen loves St. Johns County and looks forward to making a community impact with the Prevention Coalition of St. Johns County.
Michelle Damon became Prevention Coalition’s Outreach Director at the end of 2022 and has been a resident of St Johns County since 1989. She began her prevention journey working with at risk children and families in 2003 in Early Education in both the classroom setting then in administration. She then transitioned into providing in-home parenting education , case management, family risk assessment, and resource linkage to at-risk families in St Johns County in 2016. Michelle served as Prevention Coalition’s Executive Board President for two terms and is dedicated to Prevention Coalition’s mission. Her passion is working with St Johns County youth and families. In 2022, Michelle created an inclusive case management and resource program focused on equity and inclusion of St Johns County LGBTQIA+ youth. She is very passionate about all youth having a safe space. Michelle loves spending time with her teenage son and her family or volunteering out in the community.
Steve is our Program Specialist for the "Hidden in Plain Sight Program" He comes to us with a unique set of educational and life experiences which include devastating effects of Opioid misuse, addiction and recovery. While living on the west coast he was involved with the marijuana industry and knows first hand how it increases potency and concentration of products to gain profit. Steve spent many years as a pastor and family counselor. He has since retired and spends most of his time enjoying his family/grandkids and fishing.
Stan is a retired social worker. He moved to St. Augustine with his wife and 3 dogs after his retirement and connected with Prevention Coalition by attending their monthly community coalition meetings. Stan has a son and daughter. He is a writer and operates the Crime and Merriment Mysteries, a virtual mystery enactment group of professional actors.
Jan has spent most of her life working with children and currently works for the St. Johns County School District. She strives to make children healthy, happy and safe and hopes to help accomplish the goals of the Prevention Coalition
Joseph (Joe) is currently the Executive Director of Learn to Read of St. Johns County, Inc. He is currently a tutor and was formerly a teacher, Academic Administrator of St. Gerard’s Campus (high school), and former Attorney for 20 years in Miami. Joe is serving on the board because he believes in the mission. Education and encouragement are essential to helping people make healthy choices.
Jen is currently an Assistant Professor of Sociology and the Coordinator of the Sociology Program at Flagler College. Her research focuses broadly on the intersection of race and medicine, specifically racial health disparities. Jen is the director of sociology internships and her passion is providing the opportunity for Flagler College students to work in community health.
Ana is currently the community liaison for SMA Health Care. She has a background in criminal justice and law enforcement. She is bilingual and has extensive experience with drug and mental health counseling. Ana sees first-hand the harm and heartbreak caused by drug and alcohol addiction and desires to be part of the solution.
Grace first served on the Prevention Coalition as an intern board member when she was a student at Flagler College. She graduated and took a position as support specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Johns County. Grace believes that prevention is the most important thing to teach kids to be safe, and parents aware.
Mark is a St. Augustine native and founder of NuNation of Men, Inc. He is a youth mentor and Community Engagement Liaison. Mark also serves on the boards of the St. Johns County Black Democratic Caucus and North Florida Community Action Agency. Marks believes in Prevention Coalition’s Mission and hopes to bring their services into the West Augustine Community while helping to serve all communities of St. Johns County.