Celebrating National Social Work Month
Since 1963, March has been recognized as National Social Work Month. At Breakthru House, this is a meaningful time to recognize and celebrate the dedicated social workers who strengthen our women, families, and community through advocacy, healing, and service.
National Social Work Month Honorees
Throughout the month, we are proud to highlight members of our team whose work reflects compassion, leadership, and a deep commitment to social justice.
Executive Director
My social work journey started at birth. Everything I do is steeped in my faith and my story. I was abandoned at birth; the second child of a single, teen mother.
At three days old, I was adopted by wonderful parents. I was their only child and treated like a princess. My life story was unique, a black girl born in the late 1950’s who received an excellent education, traveled extensively, served others and raised by entrepreneurial parents. I believe, my life started the way it did, so that anyone I serve, I know that could have been my life.
I received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology/Social Work from the University of Dayton in Dayton, OH; Masters of Social Work from the University of Georgia; Certificate in Theology, Interdenominational Theological Center, in Atlanta, GA; and attended Leadership Studies at Harvard University, in Cambridge, MA
As the Executive Director of Breakthru House, I have the honor to lead and serve women who could have been me. My purpose is to be the voice for the voiceless and the voice for those without a seat at the table. I lead as an honor to serve.
Clinical Compliance Officer
My journey in social work has always felt like a calling. I earned my MSW from Clark Atlanta University in 1997, though my passion for service began as a teen camp counselor and blood drive volunteer.
I have worked with individuals impacted by mental health and addictive diseases in residential and outpatient settings and later earned a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. Today, I serve as Clinical Compliance Officer at Breakthru House, support veterans in the Emergency Room at the Atlanta VA, and maintain a private practice—grounded in compassion and a commitment to healing and
transformation.
Jackuline Fly
Group Therapist
Jackuline Fly is a dedicated clinician with 8 years of experience at Breakthru House ATL. After earning her BSW in December 1994, she was selected for a pioneering 18-month MSW distance learning program, bridging the University of Akron and Cleveland State University. This intensive, accelerated program required consistent, year-round dedication to complete the curriculum.
Her MSW journey featured a significant accomplishment: transforming a research class proposal into a real-world project. She developed a day program for seniors at a local church, securing $20,000 in grant funding and managing it successfully for three years. This early success highlighted her capability in practical social work application and project development.
Throughout her career, Jackuline has consistently grown professionally, driven by a commitment to supporting individuals in need. Currently at Breakthru House, she continues to provide vital services, leveraging her extensive educational background and hands-on experience to make a lasting impact on her community.
TCC Lead
Ruth Naomi earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Georgia State University, where she completed her internship at Breakthru House in 2024. During this time, she continued to give back to the community by serving as a facilitator for Double Trouble groups as well as Wellness and Recovery groups, supporting individuals on their
recovery journeys.
Committed to furthering her impact, Ruth Naomi went on to earn her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia in 2025. Today, she continues to serve the
community as a CPS-AMH, Forensic Peer Mentor, and Social Worker at Breakthru House.
Ruth Naomi’s journey reflects the power of recovery, education, and service. Through her work, she continues to uplift others, advocate for mental health and recovery, and create pathways for hope and healing in the community.
President of the Board
My social work interest began when I learned early in church about helping those less fortunate. After receiving my MSW and MPA, I worked as the Executive Director of the New Britain YWCA in CT. After moving to Georgia, I served as the Development Director for Action Ministries, a faith-based organization serving poor and homeless persons.
Until my retirement in 2021, I served as the Vice President of the Georgia United Methodist Foundation developing the curriculum and training churches in endowment development, raising the Foundation’s support for the UM Dollars for Scholars Scholarship and developing a grant ministry fund and endowment to support Methodist causes in Georgia.
I have been involved in Breakthru House for over 20 years and am blessed to serve as the President of the Board. I am fortunate to work with the amazing staff and volunteers and to see first hand the transformation in our clients that is happening every day!
Clinical Director
My Social Work journey began in 1997…. I received my MSW degree from Clark Atlanta University. My MSW enhanced my knowledge and skill exponentially beyond my foundational BS degree in Mental Health and Human Services.
Having an innate passion to serve the “most in need”, Social Work fit me like a glove. Social Work has afforded me many amazing opportunities both in direct services, leadership, research and personal development.
Over my years of service, I’ve provided direct patient care, program development and management in Community Mental Health. I have served as a Research Coordinator evaluating the development and efficacy of new antipsychotic treatment from schizophrenia. I’ve conducted biopsychosocial assessment in neuropsychiatry to address the psychosocial needs of geriatric patients diagnosed with dementia. I have developed and managed a team of counselors, ministers and therapists for a faith-based organization. I have also served as medical social work on a Pulmonary medicine transplant team. As a National facilitator, I’ve instructed law enforcement on utilizing Mental Health First Aid to appropriately techniques to respond to someone in a mental health crisis.
All of these professional experiences prepared me for my Breakthru House assignment.
Because I’ve been on this journey for a while now, I’ve had the opportunity to serve in many therapeutic settings working with diverse people and multiple disciplines of professionals each on a mission to serve. Thus, the landscape of my professional background represents the endless possibilities of my profession … Social Work.
I have enjoyed the journey …
Individual Therapist
Sandy Jap is the Sarah Beth Brown Professor of Marketing at Emory University. She has also served as a faculty member at the Sloan School of Management at MIT and at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. She has published widely on the development of organizational relationships, go-to-market strategies, and e-procurement. She is the author of Partnering with the Frenemy, a book on the dark side of business relationships and A Field Guide to Channel Strategy, a how-to book on going to market strategy. Sandy is an international speaker, expert witness, and consultant to a wide range of industries and firms. 
Joe Brown has been a Board member since the 1980’s. His father was an original founder/supporter of Breakthru House Inc., when it was founded at St. Mark UMC in 1969. He has worked at Courts & Co., a regional brokerage firm from 1961-1972, Atlanta Federal Savings & Loan, that became Georgia Federal Bank from 1972-1987, and finally with his wife’s State Farm Insurance agency for 20 years until retirement.
Following a 20-year career in the real estate legal field, with a real estate law firm in Atlanta, Sylvia Bates served as real estate coordinator for Racetrac Petroleum, owned a mortgage brokerage, and has been a realtor for 35 years.
T. Gordon Barber is a retired ATT Executive with 41 years of experience in Network Operations. He is owner and manager of Barber Properties. He grew up in Hendersonville, NC, graduated from The Citadel and earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland. He was an Army officer and served in Okinawa. Currently he volunteers at North Fulton Community Charity, Habitat for Humanity, and is a member of the Disaster Recovery Team at Alpharetta Methodist Church. He and his wife, Karen, live in Milton and have 3 grown sons and 2 grandchildren.
Nancy Young retired from serving as Vice President of Development for the Georgia United Methodist Foundation (GUMF) in 2022. She brings over 40 years of nonprofit experience in the areas of fundraising, major donor development, training, special events, planned giving, and facilities management. Prior to joining GUMF, Nancy served as Vice President of Development for Action Ministries. She began her career in development while serving as the Executive Director of the YWCA of New Britain, Connecticut. Currently, she is a member of the Church Council, Finance Committee, and chair of the Endowment Team at Midway UMC. Nancy is also a consultant to the Endowment Campaign at Dunwoody UMC. Most recently, Nancy joined the Board of Directors for the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation in Nashville, TN.