Executive Director - Donna Lee Robart
Donna Lee Robart is Executive Director and Founder of the Women's Refuge of Vero Beach. Donna is a registered nurse graduate of Dekalb College of Georgia, where she earned psychiatric and gerontology certification. She studied human services, counseling, and social work at Gaston College, Livingston College, and UNC Charlotte. Donna has gleaned from Christian counseling training with Jay Adams, Larry Crabb, and David Russ, and she is a certified Exchange Life Counselor through Grace Ministries, International in Georgia.
For five years, she and her first husband had a home for 70+ children (mostly teens, but not all at the same time!). After spending over 20 years as a psychiatric registered nurse, Donna left the secular field to go full-time into Christian counseling in Florida. After two years, Donna, her husband Ted, and other interested friends opened up a home for women.
She traveled as a short-term missionary to Mexico, India, Africa, and Romania (eight times) where she has taught women about their freedom in the Lord. It is God's vision to Donna to see many women come to the Refuge and enter into lives set free to love God and serve others.
Board of Directors
JoAnn Staszewski - President
Ann Murray - Vice-President
Lucy Marine - Secretary
Roy Wiley - CPA
Ted Robart - Cottage Industry Director
Langie Mannion - Public Relations Assistant
Barbara Gardner - Biblical Counselor
Advisory Board
Dr. Ferdinand Becker, MD - Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Dr. Liana Urfer, MD - Psychiatry
Jennifer VanHoose, Attorney at Law
Staff Directory
Karen Schaefer - Public Relations Director and Biblical Counselor
Cheryl Wood - Admissions Director and Biblical Counselor
Paula Bogart - Biblical Counselor
Melody Christensen - House Manager
Sue Sargent - Grounds Keeper
Walter Loucks - Grant Writing Assistant
Ted Robart - Cottage Industry Assistant
Judy Fitzgerald - Finance Manager
Jann Holladay - Administrative Assistant
