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Lead Therapists
Sandi Batson
sandibatson@projecthopesc.org
Sandi has been working for Hope Reach since June 2010. Sandi has a history of volunteering with children through the Greenville Hospital System, but didn't have exposure to children with autism until she began working for Hope Reach. Sandi says the most meaningful part of her job is knowing that she is helping communities, families, and individuals reach their full potential. What is occuring today through Hope Reach's efforts will be amplified as children acquire skills and build upon those skills. A difference is being made.
Degree: B.S. in Biology from North Greenville University.
Hobbies: Being outdoors, reading, spending time with family and friends, swing dancing and going to Yogurt Mountain.
 Eunice Blaha
euniceblaha@projecthopesc.org
Eunice began working with Hope Reach in August 2007. Her first exposure to autism came in college when she worked at Shepherds, a home for mentally disabled adults. Eunice had exposure to a wide variety of mental disabilities including Down Syndrome, mental retardation, Alzheimer’s and autism. After college, Eunice worked in a neurological/autism special education classroom.
Eunice loves “hearing the kids giggle and seeing them light up and get excited when they get an answer correct.” She also likes when parents see their children making progress.
Degree: B.S. in Elementary Education from Northland Baptist Bible College
Hobbies: photography, church, missions, travel, rock climbing, and cooking
Hannah Blaha
hannahblaha@projecthopesc.org
Hannah grew up overseas, returned to America in 2002, and acquired a bachelor’s degree in counseling in 2006. She knew teaching children was a desire of hers; so, Hope Reach seemed a great opportunity and began working with them in the summer of 2007.
If asked why she would choose this field over any other, Hannah would answer, “To share in and be a part of the children’s learning, each step at a time. I desire to see that spark in their eyes that comes only when these children get excited about learning and accomplishing something new. Every skill, great or small, are the building blocks it takes to build the path they will follow the rest of their lives. Every minute to teach them counts.”
Her most inspiring experience was when she and her non-verbal client were casually reading “Peter Rabbit”. She was prompting him to attempt the sounds and all of a sudden he repeated: “ra-bit”. She looked at him in shock and then cheered! He looked back at her with nothing but joy and a light of desire to learn in his eyes that had been lacking before. She and his mother were ecstatic! That day he made several other clear vowel and consonant sounds that he usually had no desire to try!
 Callie Borkey
callieborkey@projecthopesc.org
Callie began working with Hope Reach in April 2009. In addition to her work with Hope Reach, Callie is very active in fundraising for Project HOPE Foundation.
Callie's experience with autism and other disabilities began while whe was in high school by volunteering with the Special Olympics. She was also very fortunate to assist in a classroom with a very inspiring little boy. Callie continued volunteering throughout college with the Special Olympics, in an autism classroom, and with adults who have substantial disabilities.
Callie loves how each child can brighten the day with a smile, laugh, or a silly story. She enjoys being in the position to build a relationship with the child and their families, as well as seeing the progress made on a daily basis.
Degree: B.A. in psychology and health from the University of S.C.
M.Ed in severe and multiple disabilities (in progress)
BCBA from the University of S.C. (in progress)
Hobbies: running, reading, going to the beach, travelling, and college football
Cat Brown
catbrown@projecthopesc.org
Cat has been working with Hope Reach since August 2007. Much of Cat’s exposure to the world of autism has come since she has been with Hope Reach. She has also worked as a teacher’s assistant in a special education classroom.
Cat’s favorite part of her job is playing with the children that she works with. She loves being able to relax with the children and show them that therapy can also be fun.
Degree: B.S. in Psychology from North Greenville University
Hobbies: knitting, reading, spending time with family and friends, relaxing
Joe Clarey
joeclarey@projecthopesc.org
Joe started working for Hope Reach in January 2009.
He enjoys the hilarious stories that arise during therapy sessions.
Degree: B.S. in Psychology from North Greenville University
M.A.T. with an emphasis in intensive behavioral disorders at the University of South Carolina (in progress)
Hobbies: hunting, off-shore fishing, the beach, golf, soccer
Aaron Dierking
aarondierking@projecthopesc.org
Aaron has been working with Hope Reach since December 2009. His experience with ABA therapy has come through his time with Hope Reach.
His favorite part of the job is seeing the children generalize skills learned in therapy sessions. He also loves playing with the kids and exploring their amazing creativity and expanding their interests.
Degree: B.S. in Music Education from Bob Jones University
Hobbies: coffee, pottery, traveling and participating in local music groups
 Callie Finley
calliefinley@projecthopesc.org
Callie began working at Hope Reach in June 2008 as a line therapist and school shadow. Her experience with ABA has come during her time at Hope Reach.
Callie loves seeing her kids make progress and learn new skills, especially when they generalize those skills from the therapy setting into everyday life.
Degree: B.S. in Psychology from North Greenville University
Hobbies: reading, listening to music, TV and movies, hanging out with friends, spending time with her puppy.
 Meg Foster
megfoster@projecthopesc.org
Meg Foster joined the Hope Reach staff in May 2009. Her experience with ABA has come through Hope Reach. Prior to joining the Hope Reach team, Meg worked as a preschool teacher/administrator.
Meg's favorite parts of her job are working with families and getting to see her kids grow and learn.
Degree: B.M., Vocal Performance, Converse College, 2006
Hobbies: When she isn't at work you can probably find Meg performing in a local musical, reading, or hanging out with family and friends.
 Lisa Gault
lisagault@projecthopesc.org
Lisa has been working with Hope Reach since November 2009. Her experience with ABA has come through Hope Reach. She has five years of previous experience working with children of all ages.
Her favorite part of the job is seeing the progress of the children. She also enjoys building a relationship with the children and their families. It is extremely rewarding to see the impact of ABA therapy.
Degree: B.S. in Psychology from Wofford College
Degree (in progress): Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy from Converse College
Hobbies: church, spending time with family and friends, traveling, and reading
 Alaric Gwynn
alaricgwynn@projecthopesc.org
Alaric has been working with Hope Reach since September of 2009. Prior to being hired by Hope Reach, Alaric was exposed to children with all types of disabilities through the YMCA of the USA. While working as a employee at YMCA Camp Greenville he was fortunate enough to work with Hope Academy on occasional visits; the visits with Hope Academy as well as getting to know many families from the South Carolina autism community made Alaric confident in his future in ABA therapy. He still works as contract staff with Camp Greenville for autism spectrum camps.
Alaric’s favorite part of the job is seeing parent’s reactions to their children’s success and having the ability to reinforce great actions with hugs, tickles, and silly faces.
Degree: B.A. in English from Greensboro College
Hobbies: Volleyball, listening to music, IKEA, and cleaning his apartment
 Krista Henager
kristahenager@projecthopesc.org
Krista began working for Hope Reach in May of 2010. Krista says she loves children and has always had a strong desire to work alongside them. Her favorite part of working for Hope Reach is watching the children transform. It is encouraging to watch the frustrations of children dissipate as they learn to express themselves in ways they couldn't before. She loves seeing the desire in their eyes and, through ABA, being able to give them the tools and skills needed to make their desires a reality.
Degree: B.A. in Counseling Psychology - Bob Jones University 2010
Andrea Hudspeth
andreaashburn@projecthopesc.org
Andrea began working at Hope Reach in July 2008.
She loves building relationships with the individual children and their families. She loves being in the unique position to impact so many aspects of their lives.
Degree: B.S. in Psychology from Furman University
Hobbies: volleyball (beach, grass, and indoor), travel, hiking, reading, meeting new people
Molly Smith
mollysmith@projecthopesc.org
Molly began working at Hope Reach in the Fall of 2009. She loves seeing the children getting excited and being proud of themselves when they get an answer right. She also loves building relationships with the children and watching their personalities and sense of humor grow.
Degree: B.S. in Psychology and minor in Sociology from Clemson University.
Hobbies: Spending time with family and freinds, watching movies, shopping, cooking and going to the beach as often as possible.
 Casey Sumner
caseysumner@projecthopesc.org
Casey has been working with Hope Reach since July 2007. Her experience with ABA has come through Hope Reach.
Casey’s favorite part of her job is helping kids learn something new every day. She also loves the satisfaction she receives when a child achieves a goal. She says there is no better feeling than knowing you helped a child learn that goal. "They can take a bad day and turn it into a great day.”
Degree (in progress): B.S. in Psychology at the University of South Carolina Upstate
Hobbies: shopping anywhere, spending time with family and friends
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