About AJP
We empower survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation by providing long-term housing and restorative services with an emphasis on peer leadership.
Empowering Survivors
OUR MISSION
Learn the history of AJPOur Story
Compelled by the immense scale of human trafficking in San Diego and the limited resources available to survivors, our co-founders incorporated the Alabaster Jar Project. The mission was to provide housing and resources for survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
What began as a ministry of a local church soon evolved into a standalone nonprofit 501(c)3 in 2013, receiving tax exempt status in July of 2014. Alabaster Jar Project is now comprised of Grace House, a long-term residential program; the Resource Center, a drop-in center that provides clothing, toiletries, referrals, emotional, educational and vocational development programs; and Survivor-led Peer Support Groups.
Support Our Work
Our Values
Begin with Grace
We always assume the best in others and begin with trust not suspicion.
Choose Excellence
We do everything with professionalism, collaboration and accountability.
Cultivate Trust
We treat others how we would want to be treated.
Champion Wellness
We prioritize our physical, emotional and spiritual health and growth.
Celebrate Together
We celebrate one another and find joy in our successes.
Empower Integrity
We are committed to healthy relationships through honest communication even when it is difficult.
Our Staff
Susan Johnson
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Susan Johnson, Executive Director & Co-Founder. She has worked in a variety of programs to empower women and girls for over 15 years. She has organized, helped raise awareness and advocated for survivors of trafficking. She is an Oceanside native whose passion for the trafficked and exploited stems from her own vulnerabilities as a youth and life experiences.
Dr. Brenda Navarrete
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Dr. Brenda Navarrete serves as the Program Director at Alabaster Jar Project. She is a faculty member at the Global Center for Women and Justice at Vanguard University and teaches in their Anti-Human Trafficking Certificate program. She earned her master’s and PhD in Clinical Psychology at Loma Linda University. She has provided anti-human trafficking awareness training and has developed human trafficking aftercare programming in her local community and internationally in Africa, Central America and Europe. She is the former president of the Inland Empire chapter for the California Psychological Association and has taught graduate psychology at several universities in Southern California.
Amanda Moon Ellevis
Grants and Media Manager
Amanda Moon Ellevis manages grant campaigns, coordinates social media marketing and public relations, and assists with fundraising at Alabaster Jar Project. She is a California Board Certified Human Trafficking Counselor and is a bachelor's in social work student at California State University, Chico. A local author and former Grace House Resident, her book Rebuild and Thrive helps survivors of trafficking and exploitation like herself on their road to recovery and is actively used at Alabaster Jar Project’s Grace House and The Resource Center.
Kelly Lyles, MSW
PROGRAM MANAGER
Kelly Lyles is holds a Masters of Social Work and has over 15 years of experience in the social services field. She is experienced in working with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, including adults and children with intellectual disabilities, foster youth, the LGBTQ+ community, and single mothers. She has experience with Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, facilitating vocational assessments, psychosocial evaluations, program development and large caseloads of individuals with diverse backgrounds.
Our Board of Directors
Nate Alcorn
BOARD PRESIDENT
Nate Alcorn, is a pastor at North Coast Calvary Church. He is the Board President & Co-founder of Alabaster Jar Project (AJP). After hearing the need from law enforcement for residential programs for survivors of sex trafficking, Susan and Nate founded AJP. He has received a BA in Psychology and MA in Secondary Education. Since AJP’s formation, Nate has helped build the board, the organizational structure, and network with community partnerships. His hope is for survivors to experience healing and wholeness.
Sunny Montas
BOARD MEMBER
Sunny Montas is a Biopharmaceutical Operations Counsel at Amgen (whose mission is to serve patients) advising business functions regarding FDA regulations, policies and procedures relating to all phases of medical device development and commercialization. Before Amgen, Sunny served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 22 years and has a BS in Law & Justice from The College of New Jersey, Doctor of Law (J.D.) from UNC-Chapel Hill, a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Military Law from The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School at the University of Virginia, and an MBA from Florida A&M University, where she taught as an Associate Professor of Naval Science. Sunny joined the Board of Directors for the Alabaster Jar Project in July 2022 and looks forward to continuing her passion for service.
Rick Paul
BOARD SECRETARY
Rick Paul joined the AJP Board in August of 2022. He retired from a distinguished career in Wire & Cable Manufacturing, where he was regarded as an expert in Design, Operations, and Quality Assurance. Rick also participated in many side gigs, some of which continue to this day: Escondido Planning Commissioner, Clean Energy Alliance Community Advisory Committee Member. Escondido Community Foundation Founding Member and Grants Chair, Friends of Daley Ranch Treasurer, El Caballo Park Conservancy Founding Board Member, Encuentros Leadership Board Member. Rick lives in Escondido with his amazing wife Mercedes.
Andie Goode
BOARD MEMBER
Andie Goode is an associate counsel for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), providing legal support to assist those impacted by disaster, including through aid for immediate needs, individual assistance, and rebuilding public facilities and infrastructure. Prior to FEMA, Andie served in the Marine Corps as a judge advocate for 20 years, where she spent much of her career as a special victim advocate, working with victims of sexual and domestic violence. She spent her last four years in the Marine Corps as a Military Judge, presiding over a wide-range of criminal cases, to include, attempted murder, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, illegal transportation of aliens, and kidnapping. Andie joined the Board of Directors for the Alabaster Jar Project in January 2024 and is honored to have the opportunity to continue to support survivors of exploitation. Andie lives in Valley Center with her husband, Rob, and three kids.
Damian Geistkemper
BOARD MEMBER
Damian Geistkemper, CFA, joined the AJP Board in March 2024. He worked for over 30 years as an investor in the asset management business, primarily within the high yield and investment grade corporate bond markets. During his career, Damian was fortunate to work primarily for large, well regarded investment firms including TIAA-CREF, AIG Global Investment Corporation and (lastly) UBS Asset Management. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst, and has an MBA in Finance and International Business from Indiana University and a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois. Damian is retired and lives in Rancho Bernardo, CA. He has been married to his incredible wife Kristin for almost 30 years and they have two daughters, both of whom are in the their 20s. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Board to help serve and support survivors of human trafficking and exploitation.