For Immediate Release: 8/8/07

Naples, FL – The Shelter for Abused Women & Children is pleased to announce the appointment of Linda A. Oberhaus as Executive Director for the nonprofit domestic violence center.

Oberhaus comes to the Shelter with more than 12 years of experience in the field of domestic violence, having most recently served as Executive Director of The Spring of Tampa Bay, Inc.

A graduate of the University of South Florida, she holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work from the University of South Florida, and has an extensive background in social services including serving as a sexual abuse crisis counselor and crisis hotline volunteer.

Additionally, she has served as an intake/needs assessment counselor and residential counselor within the healthcare and mental healthcare fields before beginning an impressive career at The Spring where she moved from Transitional Housing Program Manager to Emergency Shelter Manager, then Director of Programs before becoming the Executive Director of the domestic violence shelter.

”We’re pleased to welcome Linda to Naples as the Executive Director of the Shelter for Abused Women & Children,” notes Shelter Board President Jim Jessee. “It was an exhaustive five-month search. Linda has the experience, dedication and passion that we were seeking in our new Executive Director. We look forward to having her at the Shelter.”

Oberhaus is expected to begin her new position with the Shelter sometime early in September; additional details will be provided as she begins her transition to Naples and the Shelter.

The only state certified domestic violence center in Collier County, the Shelter for Abused Women & Children is a 60-bed facility providing services to victims of domestic violence in Naples, Marco Island, Immokalee, Lehigh Acres and Bonita Springs.

Annually, the Shelter assists some 19,000 individuals through programs and services such as: 24-hour crisis line (239-775-1101); safety planning in Spanish and English; support groups for women and children in Spanish and English; individual and group counseling; elder abuse; a women of means program; court and legal advocacy; in-school prevention programs; direct assistance; Options Thrift Shoppe; emergency cell phone program; on-site kennel; outreach and awareness efforts; www.naplesshelter.org; and more.

For more information on the Shelter for Abused Women & Children, please call 239-775-3862, or visit us online at www.naplesshelter.org

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The Shelter for Abused Women & Children helps adult and child victims and survivors of domestic violence through safety, intervention and support; educates the public about domestic violence; and advocates for social change against domestic violence. For more information, please contact us at 239-775-3862, or visit us online at: www.naplesshelter.org

Media Contact: Mary Ann T. Green, mgreen@naplesshelter.org, 239-775-3862, ext. 211

Linda A. Oberhaus

Work Experience:

• The Spring of Tampa Bay, Inc., Tampa
• Executive Director, May 2005 to present
• Director of Programs, October 2002 to May 2005
• Emergency Shelter Program Manager, February 2001 to October 2002
• Transitional Housing Program Manager, February 1995 to February 2001
• Northside Mental Health Hospital, Tampa
• Senior Residential Counselor, September 1989 to February 1995
• Charter Hospital of Pasco, Lutz
• Needs Assessment/Intake Counselor, October 1990 to March 1992
• Angels Unaware Inc., Tampa
• Behavioral Technician, November 1988 to September 1989

Boards, Committees, Coalitions:

• Hillsborough County Family Justice Center – Executive Committee & Board of Directors, May 2005 +
• Hillsborough County Homeless Coalition – Board of Directors, October 1996 +
• Eckerd College – Leadership Development Program, August 2004
• Leadership Hillsborough – Class of 2006-2007

Education:

University of South Florida:

Master of Social Work, May 2000

Bachelor of Social Work, August 1994

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