Advocacy & Training Specialists
Get Safe advocacy & training specialists are professional safety educators dedicated to providing entertaining, informative and effective safety education as well as obtaining needed service for clients such as restraining orders, legal assistance, counseling, social interaction, residential to name a few. Each specialist is required to pass a background check and fingerprinting. The collective background of our professional safety educators includes state-certification as sexual assault crisis counselors, Bachelor degrees in social sciences and humanities, and completion of mandatory in-house training. In addition to Get Safe’s extensive in-house and field training programs, all instructors undergo continuing education in related fields and ongoing training in physical self-defense techniques.
Chellis Jara
Advocacy & Training Specialist
Chellis Jara serves as a Prevention Educator and instructs workshops on personal safety and violence prevention for multiple populations. With her bilingual skills (English – Spanish), Chellis Jara has significantly contributed to establishing multilingual components of instruction in various Get Safe programs, and has made Get Safe’s mission a reality within the Spanish speaking population. She is also a State Certified Sexual Assault Counselor and Domestic Violence Counselor, bringing her experiences in family counseling for adults, teenagers, and children to the successful implementation of Get Safe’s programs. In addition, Chellis Jara holds a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo and is currently training in Krav Maga martial arts.
Contact Chellis Jara: chellis@getsafeusa.com
Dave Monderine
Advocacy & Training Specialist
Dave Monderine integrates a variety of professional experiences in his dedication to bringing safety awareness to the community. Before joining Get Safe, Dave directed public relation campaigns for the expansion of human rights in the Middle East. At Get Safe, Dave works with a diverse group of people: Sexual Assault Survivors, Domestic Violence Survivors, Persons with Developmental and Physical Disabilities (and those who care for them), Elementary, Jr. and Sr. High School students, and Corporate Professionals. He is most passionate about Get Safe’s work with Survivors of Violent Crime, specifically, sexual assault and domestic violence. Seeing people become stronger, safer and more empowered is what really motivates him. Dave has a Bachelor’s in the Humanities and possesses extensive experience in the development of youth leadership and mentoring. He holds 2nd degree black belt in Moo Yea Do and is a State Certified Sexual Assault Counselor and certified in CPR.
Casey O’Brian
Advocacy & Training Specialist
Having previously worked in a progressive law firm, Casey O’Brian integrates a wide range of knowledge regarding the criminal justice system into his case management and instruction in safety awareness. He holds both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master's of Arts in Psychology and also has training in neuro-feedback. His prior experiences also consist of working with children and adolescences with learning disabilities as an advanced cognitive skills trainer and a substance abuse counselor.
Contact Casey O’Brian: casey@getsafeusa.com
Taryn Roberts
Advocacy & Training Specialist
For more than five years, Taryn Roberts has served hundreds of group and individuals with developmental disabilities, with over 500 hours of experience in the presentation of Get Safe’s training workshops and programs. Her 100% positive response and evaluation rate throughout employment as a Get Safe instructor has made her a favorite educator with many community agencies year after year. She is a State Certified Sexual Assault Counselor and Domestic Violence Counselor, and is also a martial arts instructor in multiple disciplines. With her expertise in Krav Maga and Muay Thai martial arts, Taryn Roberts has contributed to the inclusion and development of elevated self-defense skills and techniques into many of Get Safe’s training programs.
Contact Taryn Roberts: taryn@getsafeusa.com
Administration & Management Staff
Get Safe’s staff provides technical expertise and management for the successful growth and maintenance of our community based programs. Our staff members come from a wide-range of professional fields, bringing experiences in law enforcement, martial arts, law, psychology, computer information technology, and special education to the effective administration, management, and actualization of Get Safe’s mission.
Ivy A. Carrete, MA
Program Manager
In her role as Program Manager, Ivy A. Carrete is a principle contributor to the administration and management of sexual assault prevention and safety awareness programs for diverse populations. Additionally, she has been involved in the analysis and assessment of program outcomes, facilitation of professional collaborations, and coordination of large-scale private conferences. Along with being a State Certified Sexual Assault Counselor, Ivy A. Carrete holds a Master of Arts in Psychology, and is completing her Doctorate of Philosophy in Applied Social Psychology.
Contact Ivy A. Carrete at: ivy@getsafeusa.com
Chris Corcoran
Director of Operations & Development
As director of operations & development, Chris Corcoran oversees business operations, business development and the setting of long-term business objectives and strategies. Chris has held numerous executive positions in the marketing, advertising and public relations industries, serving as managing partner and general manager for some of the most prestigious advertising, public relations and legal service agencies in the world.
Contact Chris Corcoran at: chrisc@getsafeusa.com
Sandra Perez, MSW
Community Outreach Coordinator
For more than eight years, Sandra Perez has been involved in the successful development and implementation of Get Safe's Breaking BarriersTM recovery program for survivors of violent assaults. She is a State Certified Sexual Assault Counselor and has volunteered with Community Service Program, Inc. Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline. She is also a Dispute Resolution Programs Act (DRPA) certified mediator. Sandra has worked with Riverside County's Child Protective Services as both a court dependency investigative social worker and as a program specialist in the policy division. With a combined background in social work and criminal justice, she has extensive experience working with a variety of populations and continues to create and foster new relationships that help bring safety and empowerment to the community.
Contact Sandra Perez: sandra@getsafeusa.com
Kathleen Sampson
Lifestyle Designs
Kathleen is an accomplished artist and fashion designer. She grew up loving art, but her mother warned her “she would never make money as an artist.” On a whim, Kathleen decided to take a fashion design class; she did so well that her teacher suggested she pursue a career in fashion design. Kathleen's first fashion job was as an assistant designer at Elizabeth Stewart Swim line. From there she moved to Hang 10, working as a designer across all lines. Next came Catalina Inc. where she designed the groundbreaking racquetball line for the swimwear giant. Kathleen became a pivotal figure in the fashion, swimwear and activewear industries. Her fashion-forward creations garnered many industry awards with hundreds of her designs still in use. Kathleen now focuses her considerable experience and expertise on a new lifestyle fashion and art collection known as Embrace, its purpose, to inspire and empower women. And guess what mom, Kathleen has been wildly successful with her artwork and designs.
Contact Kathleen Sampson: kathleeen@getsafeusa.com