Street Hope TN names new Executive Director
June 8, 2023; 4:54 p.m.

KNOXVILLE -- Street Hope TN has named April Timko executive director of the nonprofit. Street Hope works to eliminate the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children and provide safe environments to foster hope and healing.

	April Timko

Prior to her new role, Timko served as the chief marketing officer at Knoxville Habitat for Humanity and brings 20+ years of experience in the communications field working with a variety of nonprofits, corporations and small businesses. Timko also serves as a worship leader of a local church.

“In addition to her extensive nonprofit management experience, April brings with her a passion for giving a voice to the voiceless and serving vulnerable populations,” says Emily Scheuneman, chair of the Street Hope TN board of directors. “Her enthusiasm, background and skills will serve the organization well as she leads in the fight against the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children here in East Tennessee and across the state.”

Street Hope TN carries out its mission of fighting domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) through awareness and prevention education, restoration for victims of DMST and through prayer. Research shows that every two minutes, a child in the United States is sold for sex, and each month an average of 94 children in Tennessee are sold for sex online.

“I was first introduced to Street Hope TN through my church and quickly knew this work must continue to protect the future of our communities, our schools and our state,” says Timko. “Through dedicated hearts committed to our mission, we are seeing substantial growth in our gifted team as well as the number of people coming together to support the fight against DMST.”

Street Hope TN is a nonprofit organization on a mission to eliminate the sexual trafficking of children in Tennessee and provide safe environments to foster hope and healing through Jesus Christ. Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST), also known as child sex trafficking, is the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the United States through prostitution, pornography or sexual performance in exchange for something of value like money, food, shelter or drugs.

Street Hope TN works to fight for freedom through awareness and prevention education (by providing trainings and materials to both children and adults), restoration (through Garland Oaks, one of the first safe homes in Tennessee for 12 to 17-year-old girls rescued from DMST) and prayer.

For more information, please visit streethopetn.org.