March Staff Spotlight- Lisa Maynes

Project Sanctuary's greatest strength is our dedicated staff, who are the driving force behind our amazing therapeutic retreats and family support program. That's why we are so pleased to continue our Staff Spotlight series, highlighting the incredible team members who are serving our military families day in and day out.

In honor of March being National Social Work Month, we will be highlighting one of our very own social workers, Lisa Maynes!

Describe your role with Project Sanctuary:

As a retreat counselor, I support the team and participants throughout the week.

What led you to working with Project Sanctuary:

Transitioning to civilian life after my service in the U.S. Army was a challenging journey. During this time, I reconnected with a former battle buddy, Sam, with whom I had served as combat medics. Together, we shared a vision of finding peace and direction for ourselves and our families. This shared vision brought us to Project Sanctuary in 2020, where we found solace and support. This will be my 4th year working as a counselor, I have learned so much and met the most incredible humans.

What is your most meaningful moment with Project Sanctuary:

Connecting with a fellow Veteran who served on the same forward operating base in Iraq, sharing experiences and camaraderie. Additionally, witnessing meaningful connections between staff, volunteers, and attendees is deeply heartwarming.

Any other personal information you would like to share?

Sam and I have a blended family with 5 kids and 2 grandkids, ranging from 30 years old to 2 years old. We settled in La Grange in 2015. I worked in community mental health for 5 years. I love my dog Layla, she is like a tiny luck dragon. I like to travel, especially when I don’t have to share a room. I love walking with friends in beautiful places.

In addition to my work at Project Sanctuary, I have volunteered with mini horses for 5 years. As the program's owner retired, I felt compelled to continue the important work with mini horses. Currently, I am starting a non-profit called Wellness Collaborative Campus. This initiative aims to increase access to mental health care and introduce equine therapy to underserved populations in my community. Eventually I would like to be a host to nonprofit therapeutic retreat programs for Veterans and Emergency workers.

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Thank you, Lisa, for serving our nation and helping our military families heal. We are so lucky to have you on our team!

March Staff Spotlight- Lisa Maynes

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2024-05-24

May Staff Spotlight- Kaycie Taylor

Project Sanctuary's greatest strength is our dedicated staff, who are the driving force behind our amazing therapeutic retreats and family support program. That's why we are so pleased to continue our Staff Spotlight series, highlighting the incredible team members who are serving our military families day in and day out.

In honor of May being National Military Appreciation Month, we will be highlighting one of our very own military spouses, Kaycie Taylor, Director of Family Support.

Describe your role with Project Sanctuary:

I work in the Family Support department; the goal is to serve military-connected families by providing guidance, resources, programs, and additional support opportunities.

What led you to working with Project Sanctuary:

I was working in a job that felt “lifeless,”  I was collecting a decent wage, but the contact with military-connected individuals and families was missing. I began to search for opportunities that would allow me to serve the greater military community. This role was more than I could have hoped for. 

What is your most meaningful moment with Project Sanctuary:

The Epworth retreat in the summer of 2023. A volunteer, who shall remain nameless, let Patty (Family Engagement Manager), and I use the vehicle to go get some S'mores essentials. When we began driving, we noticed that the car was past “E” and had 3 miles left before we would run out of gas. The bridge from the island to the main area exceeded 3 miles. We turned off the a/c, rolled down the windows, and coasted into the gas station. That was a memorable experience that I will never forget.

Any other personal information you would like to share?

In August of 2022, our family left the active-duty world (My husband served for 27 years). We had the fortunate opportunity to move 17 times, live abroad 3 different times, and raise some very resilient and culturally aware children. The sacrifices were many, but the joy we witnessed as a military family outweighs all the negatives.

Thank you, Kaycie, for your family's service to our nation and helping our military families heal. We are so lucky to have you on our team!