Veanna Buzzard
Community Outreach & Support Advocate
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Julie is a dedicated mental health professional committed to supporting individuals and families navigating grief, trauma, addiction recovery, and major life transitions. With a Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC), certification as a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC), and formal training in trauma-informed care, Julie integrates clinical expertise with compassion to provide meaningful, effective care.
She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work to further expand her ability to serve vulnerable and underserved communities. Julie’s work centers on the belief that healing happens best within safe, supportive relationships and environments. Her counseling approach combines evidence-based therapeutic practices with faith-sensitive care, recognizing that emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being are deeply connected.
Through her work with New Light Consultants, Inc., Julie facilitates the Survivor’s Grief Support Group, a structured and welcoming space for individuals coping with the loss of loved ones, traumatic experiences, and other life challenges. Within this group environment, participants receive practical tools for navigating grief, opportunities to share their experiences, and support from others who understand the journey of healing.
Julie’s role within The Refuge aligns with the organization’s broader mission of restoration and transformation. By helping individuals process pain, rebuild resilience, and reconnect with purpose, she contributes to creating a community where healing is possible and hope is restored. Her work reflects the heart of The Refuge: providing compassionate care, practical guidance, and supportive community so individuals can move from crisis to purposeful living.
His work centers on building systems that combine compassion, accountability, and practical support to help people rebuild their lives and strengthen their communities.
With more than 20 years of professional experience in security, investigations, and asset protection, Aarron has developed extensive expertise in investigative processes, risk management, and organizational accountability. His background includes leadership roles in asset protection and investigations within large organizations, where he has been responsible for identifying risks, recovering lost assets, and improving operational integrity.
Through these efforts, he has helped organizations recover thousands of devices and generate millions of dollars in cost savings while strengthening internal accountability systems.
Aarron’s professional experience in investigations and recovery work also informs the development of Buzzards Recovery Services, a complementary initiative that focuses on investigative support, skip tracing, asset recovery, and community safety solutions.
While operational in nature, this work supports the broader mission of restoration and accountability that The Refuge seeks to cultivate. At The Refuge, Aarron focuses on integrating practical justice with compassionate care. His leadership helps ensure that individuals receive support while also developing personal responsibility, life skills, and the structure needed for long-term stability.
Aarron’s vision for The Refuge is rooted in the belief that transformation happens when people are given both grace and guidance an environment where healing, accountability, and community work together to restore lives. Through mentorship, partnerships, and community-based initiatives, he works to build a model that helps individuals not only recover but also learn how to live and lead with intention. His guiding principle for The Refuge reflects the organization’s core mission: Helping people restore their lives, rebuild their communities, and learn to live in purpose on purpose.
Veana serves with The Refuge by helping cultivate environments where individuals and families can find connection, encouragement, and practical support during difficult seasons of life. Her work centers on strengthening relationships within the community and ensuring that those who come to The Refuge feel welcomed, valued, and supported as they begin their journey toward healing and stability.
With a natural ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, Veana focuses on fostering trust, building meaningful relationships, and helping individuals engage with the resources available through The Refuge.
She supports outreach initiatives, community gatherings, and mentorship environments designed to help individuals move from isolation to belonging. Veana believes that restoration often begins with simple acts of presence, compassion, and encouragement.
By helping create spaces where people feel safe to share their stories and receive support, she contributes to The Refuge’s broader mission of helping individuals rebuild their lives and discover renewed purpose. Her work reflects the heart of The Refuge creating a community where people are welcomed, relationships are strengthened, and individuals are encouraged to grow, heal, and live in purpose, on purpose.
Team Members
The Refuge team is your go-to source for support, guidance, and assistance.