For over 50 years, Peaceful Paths, a state-certified domestic abuse network and shelter, has been a resource for victims in the North Florida region. The center provides resources like emergency shelter, a 24-hour helpline, victim advocacy, crisis counseling, support groups and other services to survivors of domestic violence.
Although the organization underwent several progressive changes since its creation in 1974, its purpose remains the same: to save lives and create change.
An integral part of this change was Theresa Beachy, who has been with the nonprofit organization as chief executive officer since 2000.
However, Beachy will be leaving Peaceful Paths, and starting Oct. 1, taking a new position as an organizational strategist for the Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.
In her new position at the CNE, she will continue to work with nonprofit organizations like Peaceful Paths, as well as other mission-based organizations in the community to help them excel.
“We’ll be working with nonprofit organizations to build advocacy, strengthen their boards, strengthen their business acumen, increase their leadership and strategic development strengths,” Beachy said.
These organizations include ones directly funded under the Alachua County Children’s Trust, an independent special taxing district in accordance with the Florida Statutes and Alachua County ordinances. Agencies funded under the Children’s Trust include organizations like Help Me Grow Alachua, Healthy Start of North Central Florida, Teenswork Alachua, Peaceful Paths and many others.
Beachy has over 31 years of experience, including serving as an education coordinator at the Eckerd Youth Foundation. This new position will be a new challenge to look forward to, she said.
With her absence comes the need for a new interim CEO of Peaceful Paths. As of June 11, Crystal Sorrow, 46, director of education and youth services, was appointed to fill the position.
During this transition, Beachy and Sorrow will serve as co-CEOs from July 1 to Sept. 30, during which Beachy will mentor and assist Sorrow.
Throughout her time as director of education and youth programs since 2020, Sorrow has grown and expanded the reach of a violence prevention education program providing eight to nine weeks of curriculum for young people, teaching them assertive communication, consent, boundaries and red or green flags in relationships.
“I really feel that prevention is the key for the future and for decreasing intimate partner violence,” she said. “The more education and skills that we can get young people as they’re building relationships, the better our community is going to be.”
In her new position as interim CEO, Sorrow aims to continue the legacy of hope at Peaceful Paths.
“Hope is so important to people, to our survivors and just having people know that we’re still going to be there, be there providing services and we are still in the community as an active resource,” she said.
From being an English major at UF to volunteering at a feminist bookstore, her love for social justice and education shone through, she said.
“I think educating people on domestic violence and healthy relationships was a natural progression. I’m really excited to continue in that vein,” Sorrow said.
While it is unsure if Sorrow will become the long-term CEO, she hopes she will be considered for the permanent position at the end of the interim period.
“The final decision will rest with the board of directors who I will be working with this summer, but I do hope to be considered for the permanent position,” she said.
As Peaceful Paths celebrates 50 years of service, Sorrow looks forward to serving in this new position in the coming months, according to a news release.
Contact Kairi Lowery at klowery@alligator.org. Follow her on X @kairiloweryy.
Kairi Lowery is a third-year journalism major and a metro general assignment reporter for The Alligator. When she's not writing you can find her lounging on the beach with a book or collecting vinyls.
