About Hadassah's Hope
Hadassah means compassion. Our ministry is called Hadassah's Hope because of the compassion we hold for others and the HOPE we have in JESUS. We love because Jesus first loved us, and He told us that the world will know Him and will know we are on Team Jesus by OUR LOVE for one another.
We are a non-profit ministry to reach women who work in the adult entertainment industry. The goal is to offer friendship and love by sharing the hope we have in Jesus.
What if Jesus was serious when He identified you in Matthew 5 as the "light on the hill," the one who was meant to "go and be the light of the world?" What if he had a plan to deeply impact the lives of many women through you? Would you want to be part of his plan?
We believe that is exactly what He desires! We believe God wants to use us to meet the needs of women in Jacksonville with His love and connect with them in ways that allow you to build relationships, bring encouragement, speak life, and share the Gospel.
We are a non-profit ministry to reach women who work in the adult entertainment industry. The goal is to offer friendship and love by sharing the hope we have in Jesus.
What if Jesus was serious when He identified you in Matthew 5 as the "light on the hill," the one who was meant to "go and be the light of the world?" What if he had a plan to deeply impact the lives of many women through you? Would you want to be part of his plan?
We believe that is exactly what He desires! We believe God wants to use us to meet the needs of women in Jacksonville with His love and connect with them in ways that allow you to build relationships, bring encouragement, speak life, and share the Gospel.
Hadassah's Hope Founder and CEO, Tami Taunton
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Coming soon.
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Hadassah's Hope Board of Directors
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Suzanne Corey, Chairman of the Board
Suzanne is a strong believer that the love of Jesus is for all people. She has witnessed miracles through Jesus in her life and those around her and uses her experience and hardships to relate to others. She has been married to her husband Ryan for 13 years and enjoys mountain biking and spending time outdoors with her three German shepherds. She is the Vice President and Director of Accounting of an automotive company and enjoys problem-solving and getting things done! |
Tiffany Britts, Secretary
Tiffany doesn’t feel complete unless she is teaching others about God’s love and grace. She has been actively involved in local jail ministry and community outreach for the last 7 years. She is a branch VP at a local credit union and has been in the financial industry for over 14 years. Tiffany enjoys reading, teaching, and spending time with her family. She has been happily married for 9 years and has 3 beautiful children.” |
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Tawny Rountree
Tawny is a native of Florida, currently living in St. Augustine with her husband Nick of 36 years and her two sons, Cayman (22) and Terren (19). Tawny received her law degree from Georgia State University in 1992, where she practiced until moving back “home” to Florida in 2006. For more than 25 years, she has practiced primarily in the area of family law, including divorce, custody, support, alimony, domestic violence injunctions, etc. She thoroughly enjoys her career and helping her clients, but her primary passion is spending time with her family. She is an avid reader and loves the beach. |
Becca Perkins
Becca joined the Hadassah’s Hope Board in 2022 and is currently serving as Vice Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Chair for the 2023 Hope for Her Gala. She lives in Jacksonville Beach with her husband Nate and her two kids, Beaux and Ellie. Becca received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida in 2018 and practices in the areas of healthcare, technology, and corporate law. Becca is currently working as corporate counsel for a local Jacksonville healthcare-tech company. In her free time Becca enjoys reading, playing board games, and spending time with her family. |
Hadassah's Hope Staff
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Bailey Raab, Case Manager & Administration
Bailey is a Hope College graduate with her Social Work degree. Following her graduation in 2019, Bailey sought out multiple experiences sharing the gospel overseas. Bailey moved to Jacksonville in 2020 after completing an internship with Impact Africa is South Africa. During her stay in South Africa, Bailey spent time ministering to women in an area that combats high levels of poverty, sexual abuse, and baby abandonment. When she moved to Jacksonville, she knew she wanted to find ways to pour into young women for the sake of Christ. Bailey helps to run the administrative functions of Hadassah's Hope and minister to women in our Hope Center. Bailey and her husband Kyle got married in August of 2021 in North Carolina surrounded by friends and family. Bailey enjoys being outdoors, coffee dates, and living by the beach. She is looking forward to growing with Hadassah's Hope and loving on the sweet women we minister to. |
Joani Ross, Strategy, Director of Operations
Joani is passionate about women feeling seen and valued, and knowing that their identity is found in Christ. She manages operations, communications, and program development at Hadassah's Hope. She graduated from UF in Accounting and received her MBA from UNF. She has over 30 years of experience in marketing, branding, accounting, and research in both the non-profit and for-profit industries. She has led and written several Bible studies for women and teen girls over the years. She is married to Sam and at the tail end of her homeschool journey with two kids, Maddie a junior at UF and Jake a high school senior. She loves Jesus, coffee, college football, the Gators, and to learn new things. She can usually be found on long walks listening to a new book or podcast…with the frequent stop at a coffee shop. |
Alycia Kopp, Outreach Director
Alycia is a member of the Church of Eleven22 and is married to Jeff, who is a pastor and is in law enforcement. They have 2 adult children, as well as a boxer and bulldog. Alycia is a fitness and nutrition enthusiast and loves to encourage others in their individual fitness journeys. She loves reading, good coffee, hanging with friends, hiking in states with mountains and traveling. |
Why Go Into Strip Clubs?
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This is a question we get - not a lot, to be honest, but enough that we wanted to share our heart and mission in case you get the same question as you faithfully support our ministry and these precious dancers. First and foremost, God calls us to love our neighbors and to be a light in a dark and deeply hurting world. Research suggests (and we have absolutely found) that many of the dancers in strip clubs are disproportionately hurting. So while, yes, for the most part they are there on their own free will to pay the bills, the path to get there was often paved with abandonment, abuse, trauma, lack of opportunities, addiction, homelessness, and more. It causes many to believe their identity is wrapped in these painful circumstances. And dancing further creates the identity narrative that their body and what they do with it defines their value and worth. But as Jesus followers, we know that He is the only one worthy to say who we are. He says that our identity is in Him...as beloved, valued, treasured, purposed, beautiful children of God. So this is the message we go to the clubs to share. We don’t go to shame them or try to get them to leave the clubs. Instead we go to serve them. We go to show them they are loved, seen, and they matter. We bring them a home-cooked meal or gift with no strings attached. We don’t go to preach but to BE the hands of feet of Jesus. We go to build relationships that can lead to discussions about their current needs and their hopes and dreams post-club we can help with...and most importantly discussions about THE ONE who forgives, redeems, restores, saves, and loves unconditionally. That’s why we go!
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