Providing Hope and Support Services for Survivors of Sexual Abuse & Exploitation
Advocacy Office Hours.
Our office is open Monday- Thursday from 9:00-4:00.
For general inquires call (252) 339-6304.
If you need emergency shelter, please call our 24/7 Help Line at
(252) 455-5760 to speak with a trained advocate. If you are in an emergency and need immediate assistance, call 911.
About Us.
Beloved Haven is a grassroots nonprofit focused on providing support and services for adult women who are incarcerated and have been affected by sexual exploitation, trauma, or are vulnerable to trafficking.
History
During the years 2008–2014, Tina Pennington made several trips to South Africa, Ghana, and Rwanda. While traveling throughout these countries, she witnessed the victims of human trafficking firsthand. Tina never forgot the women and children she encountered. Her heart was broken, and she found herself forever changed. She wanted to help but wasn’t sure how, or in what capacity she could.
Later in 2012, back in her small community in North Carolina, Tina was approached by a young girl, she asked Tina if she could assist her in putting together a “sexual violence awareness event” at her school. Tina agreed to help, and as their friendship grew, Tina learned that this girl, living right within her own community was a victim of human trafficking.
Dismayed at what she had learned, Tina was now aware of the enormity of the problem. The exploitation of women and children she saw in third world countries was occurring right in her own backyard. Human trafficking had touched the place she called home.
Feeling called and compelled to be of service, Tina founded Beloved Haven in 2015, assisting victims of human trafficking with the process of reclaiming and rebuilding their lives. Tina would like to add that although Beloved Haven’s mission is founded on biblical beliefs, she has made it a point to create an environment that serves people from all walks of life, religions, sexual orientations, and spiritual practices. Her vision is supported by a board of directors, staff, volunteers, her local community, and local law enforcement.
Court Advocacy
Jail Program
Board of Directors
Tina Pennington- Founder/ Executive Director
Laurie Kondylis- Advocate, RN, Consultant, Fundraiser- Present Chair
Anna Smith- Subject Matter Specialist-Past Chair
Directors
Law Enforcement-
Education Leader- Ally Sarnowski-Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies
Substance Abuse Mentor- Lisa Branstine- Meadows Retreat
Community Member- Stephanie Baker-Chesapeake Regional Healthcare
Persons of Faith- Pastor Joseph McGourn- My Children’s House of Hope
Lived Experienced- Tanya Gould- U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking
Staff Members
Tina Pennington - Founder/ Executive Director
Tina Pennington is a peer counselor, women’s empowerment speaker, and a human trafficking advocate. She has served in numerous areas of community outreach such as Moyock Women’s Club as a member, a Girl Scout leader, President of the PTA, I Will Stand International as a board member, also a member of the NCCASA and NCCAHT, Founder and Executive Director of Raised Hands for Africa, serving several countries across Africa, host and facilitator for Women Empowering Women retreats and conferences, Survivor Leader’s Retreat Facilitator, Founder and Executive Director of Beloved Haven and the Faith Based/Benefits Organization Senate appointed member with the North Carolina Human Commission.
Tina has served in women’s outreach for over 15 years locally and globally. She continues to support the work in other countries by partnering with several nonprofit organizations. Her love and passion for women has been the heart for her own organization. Tina has worked with local, state and federal law enforcement as well as Homeland Security. She has had training on the subject of human trafficking for over 6 years. She educates her community on the issue through awareness presentations, events and trainings.
Tina is the Founder and Executive Director of Beloved Haven, which was founded in 2015, with the mission to equip communities to know the signs and understand how to help those affected by exploitation like human trafficking, while assisting them in finding healing, restoration and hope. Tina is passionate about this work and consistently seeks opportunities to share love and hope with others. Tina and her husband Daniel live in Currituck, NC and have four beautiful adult children. In her free time, she loves the beach, camping and hanging out with friends.
Stephanie Benton - Program Facilitator/Resource Coordinator
Stephanie Benton joined the Beloved Haven team in January of 2020 as their Resource Coordinator. She has spent the past 12 years working in Juvenile Court Diversion Programs in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, Virginia. In these programs, her focus was on education and outreach. Her interest in Beloved Haven began after attending one of its awareness seminars and seeing connections between the young people she was reaching and those served by Beloved Haven. Stephanie is a 1996 alumna of The Citadel Graduate College. She lives in South Mills, North Carolina with her husband, daughter and three dogs. In her free time, she loves to read, travel and watch documentaries.
Our Partners
NC Council for Women & Youth Involvement
Open Door Church Edenton
