About Us

Jennifer is the Human resource and accountant for Breaking the chains. She was born and raised here in the central valley. After High school she went to California State University of Fresno and graduated with a B.S. in Criminology with the option in Law enforcement. While at Fresno state, Jennifer also received a certificate in victim services. Jennifer has volunteered at The Heart of the Horse in Clovis, CA by helping youth with disabilities by riding horses. Her passion in helping our individuals and making a difference has brought her here. During her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Cindy is a Native Californian, raised in the mountain area. Cindy studied Technology and Computer Science in a private Southern California school. Cindy and her family moved to Colorado where she began working with the Denver Rescue Mission helping homeless families reach stability.  Cindy later joined the Senior Coalition in Bailey, CO, assisting elderly clients living in the Rocky Mountains, with little or no access to services.

After relocating to Bastrop, TX Cindy worked as an Intake Coordinator with the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry. She also managed several programs to assist the elderly and disabled with food support, activities and social events. Cindy also worked as an Ambassador with the Central Texas United Way, as a representative.

Returning to California ten years ago, Cindy began working with Fresno’s Level 1 Trauma-Center, as an Operations Manager, for their hospitality home. Cindy spent those years assisting out-of-town families with a place to stay; while their critical patients received treatment in the Hospital.

Cindy believes all individuals deserve a decent chance at a productive, independent and happy life! Cindy is passionate and mission driven to assist the under-served and abused. She enjoys spending time on her family farm, gardening, cooking, raising animals and enjoying friends and family.

Sybil Kolbert has been facilitating trauma programming for Breaking the Chains since January 2017. She is passionate about equipping individuals to move beyond their trauma and rebuild in life, faith and community. As someone who is no stranger to the upheaval that comes with crisis, Sybil believes that the opportunity to rebuild always comes on the other side of it. Sybil is a former School Psychologist, licensed coach and curriculum creator. She has had extensive training in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) science awareness and intervention, the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) and trauma-informed care. Sybil is from Clovis, CA, where she shares a home with her husband and three children.

This is Dominique Brown; Mother and entrepreneur. Born August 28 1985 in raised in Fresno California Dominique has established rooted connections with her community and peers. Her resilient “ keep it real” personality and personal experiences with human trafficking and childhood trauma gives Dominique an opportunity to be relatable and compassionate to the victims and survivors she serves. Dominique uses her lived experience to consult with local anti-human trafficking agencies in the Central Valley, to bring about change and show hope to survivors like her.
“ I want to be the support I didn’t have.” In 2019, Dominique successfully graduated from the non-residential program at Breaking the Chains, and she continues to use her knowledge to empower survivors and raise awareness around her. She counts the most on God and family. Regardless of what life throws her way, as an advocate of faith, Dominique continues to stay strong, persevere, and do what is necessary to counsel and bring about change showing hope to survivors like her. Dominique is supported her by family. She is currently working as a Survivor Prevention Education Specialist at Breaking The Chains and aspiring to start a nonprofit named U Nique Cares that provides hair care services to at risk youth and CSEC victims and adult survivors.

Carol is our Crisis Counselor here at Breaking the Chains! She was born in Bakersfield, CA. Carol graduated with a Masters degree from San Francisco State University and later received 6 California educational credentials in Psychology and counseling. After 32 years of being a school counselor for Fresno Unified school district, Carol taught at Fresno State in Counseling and Special Ed. She has been with Breaking the chains for 8 years and loves it here! During her free time, she values her church community at Prodigal church!

Lori a resident of the Central Valley has a bachelors in social work and a passion for helping others. As a case manager Lori prioritizes the needs of our residential and emergency shelter clients and works alongside of them to develop and implement critical care services.

Sarai Holland is married and a devoted woman of God. Her responsibilities at the BTC campus extend far beyond case management. She is a trusted victim advocate and is always ready and willing to help co-workers. Sarai has a bachelor of science in criminology with an emphasis in victimology and a certificate in victim services. Working with BTC Clients has been her passion ever since she started here with us. She stated that she values each staff member’s time and support. She also enjoys her job and spending time with her family and friends.

Leanna Healy grew up here in Fresno with her parents and younger brother after being adopted. Leanna is filled with compassion and empathy towards those in need. Leanna has a passion for serving others which lead her to graduate with a bachelor’s in social work from Fresno Pacific University in 2020. She completed an internship at City Without Orphans and was able to use her personal experience as an adoptee to provide services to foster youth and adoptive children. She has worked in in-patient mental health, where she found her passion to bring hope and healing to others. In the summer of 2021, Leanna married her husband, Jacob Healy, whom she met while working at Break the Barriers as a swim coach. In her free time Leanna, enjoys swimming, traveling, and spending time with her husband.

How awesome is it to get to do life with our incredible survivors!  Bernadette is attentive, caring, and always willing to be a shoulder to those who need her the most. We love our Mama B!

Nick was born 3 months premature on January 17, 1980 at 4:08 AM in San Francisco, CA. His major achievements in life include being married to his wife for 12 years and being a Father of two daughters. Nick proudly served 6 years in the Air Force, has completed 5 marathons, and played 1 year of college baseball for Butte College. Nick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from University of Louisville Online and will graduate with a Masters of Science in Social Work (current GPA is 3.97) from University of Louisville Online in 2023. He is a current member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. The owner of Fleet Feet Fresno, Aaron Samansky, is someone in the community who he greatly admires, as he is a lifelong runner who has turned his passion into a career. He has overcome tremendous tragedy as he lost his daughter when she was 7 years old to a reckless driver. Nick is a humble and courageous team member who adds value to everything we do here at Breaking the Chains.

Malissa is more than a House Manager, she is a BTC graduate, a mother to two beautiful children, and a grandmother to three. She is excelling as a CSEC prevention education specialist, and works with trauma professionals to conduct client assessments and emergency response care. Her ability to understand right where our clients are at and what they need is priceless.  FROM MALISSA, “BTC has given me so much love and understanding, they have excepted me for my past and still continue to love me when no one else would. BTC has blessed me to be able to help others as they have helped me. My passion is to care for people. I love to see others achieve their highest potential. We together must stand for something so we don’t fall for anything.”  Mathew 16:19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”