Through our direct services program, Grow Free TN, we offer a variety of services to those impacted by human trafficking. All of our services are free, individualized, and all-inclusive.

CCAHT serves as the single point-of-contact for all human trafficking referrals in the East Tennessee region. As a partner of the Tennessee Counter-Trafficking Alliance (TCTA), we are dedicated to providing holistic, wrap-around services to adult and youth survivors.

Learn more about TCTA

our values

Each day, we choose to love the survivors we serve relentlessly and unconditionally, building long-term relationships that reach beyond direct service provision. Our love means inclusion, equality, respect, safety, hope, and friendship.

We respect and honor the resilience, courage, and perseverance of the survivors we serve, and we understand that in order to best serve them, we must provide them with individualized, holistic, end-to-end services.

We are helpers; not heroes. We are here to serve, not to judge. We listen before we speak, supporting our clients on their journeys toward restoration, supporting them as allies – not as instructors or mentors. We understand that we still have much to learn, and that we will learn most effectively with open ears, open hearts, and open minds turned toward the clients we serve, the community we love, and the partners that help make this work possible.

We could not do this work if it weren’t for the force of nonprofit organizations, law enforcement agencies, volunteers, interns, board members, faith groups, community groups, and incredible individuals of Knoxville and East Tennessee that provide ongoing support. When it comes to strengthening the movement to end human trafficking and growing our capacity to serve survivors in our community, our ability to do these things comes directly from the support of our community – and that’s powerful.

Human trafficking is a complex crime. By partnering with more than 40 nonprofits, law enforcement agencies, and governmental agencies throughout Tennessee, we seek to foster a collaborative and creative response to human trafficking.

Our aftercare services are not a one-month, six-month, or one-year program. While we have an established aftercare plan in place, we also recognize that our purpose is to provide individualized services for our clients through each unique healing journey, regardless of timing, detours, or challenges.

Our Staff

Kate Trudell

Executive Director

Shantel Standefer

Senior Director of Programs

Makinzi Greener

Director of Development & Communications

Michelle Kinzie

Director of Administration

Tara Davis

Community Relationship Coordinator

Hayley Griffith

Education & Outreach Coordinator

Ariana Rumgay

Office Manager

Taylor Street

Community Care Liaison – Johnson City

Adult Services Team

Brittany Thompson

Director of Adult Services

Daphne Boatwright

Housing Support Specialist

Claire Brown

Therapist – Adult

Michelle Camara

Housing Support Specialist

Meredith Carey

Group Facilitator – TDOC As You Are Program

Amanda Dykes

Justice Involved Group Facilitator

Jill Ferrie

Care Coordinator

Brianna Harrison

Care Coordinator

Bethany Norris

Group Facilitator – TDOC As You Are Program

Nicole Panster

Lead Housing Support Specialist

Jill Shelton

Housing Support Specialist

Jessica Sheppard

Therapist, Justice-Centered

Melcharle Thompson

Housing Operations Coordinator

Abby Yarbrough

Housing Support Specialist

Youth Services Team

Hannah Brinson

Director of Youth Services

Demi DeBusk

Youth Care Coordinator

Gracie Delaney

Family Support Specialist – Johnson City

Schylar Gault

Youth Risk Intervention Specialist

Doniqua Joyner

Youth Care Coordinator – Johnson City

Judy Martinez

Youth Care Coordinator

Heather McGhee

Family Support Specialist

Kaitlyn Rossi

Youth Risk Intervention Specialist – Johnson City

Amanda Stevens

Clinical Support Coordinator

Jordan West

Therapist – Youth & Emerging Adult

Becky Wilson

Activities Coordinator

Our Board of Directors

Cynthia Dietle, JD, LLM

Associate General Counsel
Civil Rights Division, Meta
Board President

Kevin Sanford

Business Interface Director
Y12
Board Treasurer

Teri Baxter, JD

Professor,
UT College of Law

Brooklyn Sawyers Belk, JD

Rhonda Clay, CFRE

Director, Major Gifts
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Sara Diamond

Anchor
WJHL-TV

Amanda Hara

Evening Anchor/Executive Producer of Digital Content
WSMV News

Karen Rodgers

Yoga Instructor, Community Volunteer

Chris Rush, PhD

Assistant Professor
Roger-Stout Hall 201H

Natalie Saunders

Realtor
Weichert Agency

Michele Thomas

Owner
A1 Certified Services

Kate Trudell

Executive Director
Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking