OFCC Staff Members
Sarah Cripps
Executive Director
Sarah received her B.A. in Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. While she received a highly specialized degree, God has provided a variety of career opportunities since she graduated in 2015. These opportunities have included residential programs for teens, inner-city schools, and two different pregnancy centers. Sarah’s focus and passion is to use her administrative skill set to help others serve those in need while removing any obstacles to care.
Sarah is native to Fort Wayne, IN and moved to Northwest Ohio to pursue her first career job. While in Ohio, she volunteered on her church’s tech team and local mentored teens. She moved to Medina County after she and her husband (a Medina native) felt God calling them to the area. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys reading in local coffee shops, playing various board and video games with her husband, and exploring whatever latest artsy hobby has caughter her attention.
Stan Barlow
Community Liaison; Maintenance; IT Support
Stan wears many hats as the co-founder of Oaks with his wife Betty. When he is not engaged in making or strengthening community connections, he can be found making repairs on the building, installing office equipment, or updating computer systems. In addition, Stan formerly served as the Visitation Director and assists with several fundraising events throughout the year.
Jimi Rizner
LPC
Counselor & Visitation Director
Jimi is a counselor and directs our Supervised Visitation program, our program allows children to meet with their non-custodial parent in a safe and supportive environment. He completed his Master's Degree in Christian Counseling from Grand Canyon University. His undergraduate education was a BA in Christian Studies. He was baptized in the name of Christ at Willowcreek Community Church of Barrington, IL in 2009. He has 33 years experience working with those recovering from substance abuse disorders and his approach is faith-inspired therapy. His walk in life has also given him important tools that he uses to help clients make positive changes.
The family structure and sanctity of life are important to Jimi and he has been blessed to be both a father and grandfather. He leads a purpose driven life and believes that Christ has directed him to provide hope to the hopeless. In addition to counseling individuals and families, Jimi also facilitates therapeutic family visits with Oaks’ supervised visitation program.
Our professional counselors are licensed through the state of Ohio. https://elicense.ohio.gov/
Betty Barlow
LPCC-S
Clinical Director
Betty is a Licensed Counselor with Supervisory Status. She has experience as a Medina County social worker, a Residential Therapeutic Counselor, and has served as Director of Abuse Recovery at Akron Pregnancy Center. Her greatest growth has come from being a parent to her 3 children, as well as serving as a foster and adoptive parent. Betty has used her home, her counseling experience, and her God-given gifts to minister to hurting women, meeting their physical, spiritual and emotional needs.
Betty and her husband, Stan, along with friends and family, founded Oaks Family Care Center in 1997. Since then, the center has served thousands of clients in Brunswick and its neighboring communities by providing counseling, educational classes, and material goods assistance.
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Our professional counselors are licensed through the state of Ohio. https://elicense.ohio.gov/.
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Brenda Baer
Ministry & Volunteer Coordinator
Brenda has a B.A in Office Administration and a minor in Business Administration from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Prior to joining Oaks staff, she was in banking for 17 years. One of the things she likes best about Oaks is that “we are helping make positive differences within the families and the communities that we serve through God as our foundation.”
In addition, she is a certified Hope Coach and Mental Health Coach.
Brenda serves in a variety of ministries within the church she attends. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, going on adventures and spending time with their friends and extended family.
Sarah Hershey
LISW
Counselor & Family Services Coordinator
Sarah is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and has previously worked as a school-based mental health counselor in both Cuyahoga and Medina Counties. She has worked with children of all ages, parents, and teachers in the home, school, and community settings. Further, she has a passion for walking with others who are seeking hope and healing.
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In addition to working as a counselor, Sarah also develops and coordinates family-oriented programs. As our Family Services Coordinator, she works to provide meaningful resources for our community.
Sarah has been married to a kind and supportive husband since 2007, and they have a compassionate and funny son along with two adorable cats.
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Our counselors are licensed through the state of Ohio. https://elicense.ohio.gov/
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Rebecca Nardi
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Office Manager
Rebecca was raised in a family of missionary church planters and has always had a heart for ministry, especially that involving children and families. She attended Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, IA, and studied Elementary Education. After college, she returned to Ohio, Rebecca followed the Lord's calling to move into the office setting, and she became an Executive Assistant in the Education Department at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI). Rebecca began a 15-year career at a local supplemental insurance company here in Brunswick, Oh, where she wore many hats and gained experience in office administration, event planning, graphic design and production, travel planning and book keeping, among many other duties.
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The past several years Rebecca has a passion for her family and the Brunswick community. Rebecca, her husband and their 2 wonderful daughters live in Brunswick Hills and regularly attend a church in the local community. Rebecca's love for the Brunswick community and their families is strong and is looking forward to using her 20 + years of experience to enhance and spread Oaks Family Care Center ministry.
Riley
Therapy Dog
Riley is Betty Barlow's therapy dog. She has helped children and adults work through anxiety, stress. sadness, trauma and so much more. Riley is often seen around the office, but stays close to Betty because they are the best of friends.
Jacqueline Hackley
Bookkeeper
Jackie has a BBA from Cleveland State University in Personnel Management and a minor in Accounting. She has worked several years in various office positions including Bookkeeping in a non-profit setting.
She enjoys Yoga as Jackie is a certified Yoga Instructor as well as a certified Mental Health Coach. Weekly you can also catch her playing/walking dogs as she volunteers at a pet rescue.
Jackie has 4 grown sons and looks forward to grandchildren. The family enjoys their family gatherings.
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