Meet Us

Tawnya Trahan serves as the Executive Director of Business & Development at Father Woody’s Haven of Hope. She is a Kentucky native that came to live in Colorado with her family as a 4th grader. While attending Bible College, Tawnya worked as a bookkeeper gaining extensive knowledge in business and accounting. After completing Bible College, Tawnya served 17 years in ministry where she was a public speaker, counselor, worship leader, and children’s ministry leader.

Following her years of ministry, Tawnya embarked on a career in Human Resources where she specialized in Organizational Development and Strategic Planning. Rolling all her past experience together, Tawnya has been successful going into businesses and building out their Human Resources department, providing Reality Based Leadership Training, and facilitating Strategic Planning. A purpose driven person at heart, Tawnya brings passion, empathy, and vision to her service for the homeless.

Derrick is a Colorado native & retired veteran. Derrick served in the US Navy as a Lead Antiterrorism Assessor/Trainer, Chief Military Police Investigator and High Risk Instructor. Once retired Derrick held the position of Program Administrator of a 24 hr., homeless shelter, a US Vets Initiative in Waianae, HI for 2 years. Upon returning to Colorado, Derrick took a contract position as Emergency Management, UASI Logistics Coordinator with the Denver Office of Emergency Management.

OSHA and CPI trained and certified, Derrick brings an element to Father Woody’s Haven of Hope we have never had. Safety protocols, written policies, and emergency plans that increase the level of safety and allows us to provide a more peaceful environment for our guests. Derrick could have gone the route of private security and high income, but as a licensed minister his heart is in service and his passion is for the homeless, marginalized and struggling.

Ondrea, a Colorado native, comes to Father Woody’s hoping to fulfill her career goal of a life in service. After attending the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Ondrea became the business manager of a highly ranked Charter School in Laramie. There she has perfected her accounting skills, business acumen and added grant experience and fund raising. Ondrea has been active in monitoring legislation that affects charter schools and collaborated with board and district employees at all levels. She has chaired many of their committees including the Finance Committee.

The position of Business Coordinator is new to Father Woody’s and provides a level of excellence and focus on the important task of managing our finances. Ondrea will work directly with the Treasurer of the Board to provide information necessary to strategically plan the future growth of Father Woody’s. While Ondrea is very qualified in accounting and administrative tasks, her passion has been studying other organizations that work with marginalized populations to bring self-sustainability through creative and innovative means. She has traveled to both Mexico and Uganda to study this process with organizations such as Urban Mosaic and Musana.

Josie was born in San Diego California and was raised in a military home with four siblings. She began serving the elderly in 2003 as a Resident Assistant and moved up to be a Medication Aide Supervisor, at Northglenn Heights Assisted Living. Through her time working with the elderly, Josie discovered her passion for helping people and so she went to school to become a Medical Assistant and went on to be employed with an OB/GYN clinic in Louisville Colorado. After taking a few years off to take care of her four beautiful children, she chose to pursue a career in security starting out as a patient sitter. Josie worked with high-risk patients, in various hospitals with HSS for 5 years. Josie’s passion for serving was reignited following an HSS assignment to Haven of Hope where she worked to provide health and safety for the homeless. Josie is now an employee with Haven of Hope as the Armed Safety and Security Supervisor, holding a Taser instructor certificate, handgun training, 30 hours of OSHA certified training, CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention), and CPR/First aid training.

Marla Kay Birch Townsend, as know as Miss Kay, has been a member of the Father Woody’s team for 10 years, currently serving as Kitchen Director. Miss Kay was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, but has been a resident of Denver since 1987. She has been active in the kitchen since she was 10 years old, often preparing meals for her siblings after her mother taught her how to cook. Her family has been in the restaurant industry for many years and she herself has worked in several kitchens, both big and small, over the span of her career. Guests, volunteers, and visitors to Father Woody’s are constantly complimenting Miss Kay on her meals, as well as her bubbly personality and genuine compassion for the people she serves. When she is not working at Father Woody’s, Miss Kay enjoys dancing and spending time with her family, specifically her seven grandchildren.

Awna has a diverse background in education, athletic and non-profit organizations, as well as owning a small business. With an education background in business marketing and counseling she is excited to be a part of Haven of Hope’s new services and programs by helping spark interest and excitement for support and continued donor and volunteer contributions. Awna has a passion for helping people celebrate accomplishment small or big and honoring those who make it happen. Her expertise and passion will help Haven of Hope celebrate through yearly events bringing everyone together to reflect on achievements and look toward future goals! Awna is born and raised in Arvada, Colorado. She currently lives in Aurora with her husband and two daughters. Along with her work at Haven of Hope she owns and runs a small business. Awna has a passion for helping people see their potential and live that potential!

Paul Miller has been involved with Haven of Hope since 2015, coming originally as a guest and eventually becoming a full-time employee in January of 2020 and was quickly promoted to Maintenance Supervisor. Paul was born in El Paso, TX. He is an invaluable part of the staff at Haven of Hope, his training is ever-evolving and expanding into all areas of building and facility maintenance. Paul is a jack of all trades having previously worked as everything from a truck driver to a cook. As a Fresh Tracks program graduate, Paul plans to continue his technical training to include HVAC, plumbing and electrical.

Paul has a heart for all of our guests and a strong protective instinct for our community. With his heart for service, Paul is a great fit for Haven of Hope and plans to stay here for the remainder of his career which we couldn’t be more excited about.

Thomas (The Suds Consultant) Kearin has been associated with Haven of Hope since May of 2011. He spent 2 years as a guest and began working as a service contractor in 2013. Tom was hired as a full-time employee in January of 2020 and will finish his career with Haven of Hope. Tom has 3 children and 11 grandchildren. He spent his early years in the military serving 6 years in the Army. Tom likes to spend his free time slammin’ poetry at the Mercury Cafe. Some of his more notable pieces are written from the perspective of a homeless person giving the reader an intimate understanding of what homelessness feels like and the hopelessness that they experience.

Tom is an iconic figure in the HOH kitchen with a number of the HOH staff being here because of him. He is passionate about saving lives and reinstating the dignity of each human being reminding people they are worthy. Tom is the reason our guests are referred to as “guests.” Tom has served as a member of our board and currently sits as a board advisor.

Had is a retired corporate lawyer who has been volunteering for decades with a variety of Colorado caring nonprofits serving the community, including as a founder and Board member of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center; serving as court-appointed legal advocate for abused and neglected children through Colorado CASA, as well as serving as a member of the Board of Casa; serving for 12 years as a weekly construction volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, as well as member of the Board of Habitat, where he was honored as Director Emeritus; and serving for eight years as the Board Chair of the Marion Downs Hearing, a center for hearing, speech and language. Currently, Had enjoys being able to serve the Haven of Hope guests in the dining room and being the volunteer Volunteer Coordinator; helping others find ways to serve the Haven of Hope guests. Had and his wife live in Denver and have two adult sons and four grandsons. Please contact him with any questions about volunteering at the shelter Monday – Friday.