MeeT oUr TeAm

FOUNDER / COTA/L

Jana Sanford-Heller is the owner of Ride the Wave Therapy Services LLC, in Saint Augustine Florida. Ride the Wave offers OT and ABA services in an outpatient clinic, as well as school therapy and Core Therapeutic Boxing Program. After over a decade of working in the field of pediatric occupational therapy, Jana began to notice the needs of the teen and young adult population that was aging out of the early intervention programs. "The desire and the need for a community space like Independence Youth Center has always been there, but for some reason they are incredibly difficult to find. IYC was designed to pick up where early intervention leaves off, while also providing that safe space for social groups and community support. I am beyond thrilled to team up with Carolyn to bring this amazing resource to our community!" Jana lives in St. Augustine with her husband, two children, and two crazy dogs.

FOUNDER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR

As a parent of a daughter with ASD Carolyn’s life mission has become to build a community of support, peers and friendship for her daughter and families just like hers. The path of parenting a special needs child can be challenging and isolating. Carolyn’s goals are to create an inclusive, safe and fun space for children on the spectrum to belong to, in a therapeutic setting, supportive of challenges and enhancing their strengths. Carolyn resides in St. Augustine with her family and owns and operates Resisdentz Clothing Co. , is a co-owner of Yoga Bohemia in NJ. and is a local photographer who works for Orlando music magazine showsigoto.com as a live music photographer.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR / LEAD TEACH FOR DAY PROGRAM

I have been working with families and children with disabilities for over 15 years. Working as an educator in the classroom, ASL teacher, ESE team lead, family coordinator, family advocate and family service coordinator. I love learning, I am genuinely a curious person by nature. I wanted to grow up to be David Attenborough. As an educator, I love the journey of partnering with learners as they discover their own learning patterns and paths. Living in Saint Augustine with my two kids is such a gift. We love getting into nature during school breaks with our big fluffy dogs.

BOARD MEMBER

Kate Batzel has lived in St Augustine, FL for 12 years moving to town from the greater Philadelphia area where she attended West Chester University for English Literature. In 2001, she began working as the administrative assistant to the director of Human Resources for the Marple Newtown School District. After her move to Florida, she went to work for Island Prep Preschool where she quickly escalated to Director of the preschool and then to the Head of the Elementary School upon its opening. She sat on the Board for Island Prep school for two years and has worked with other local businesses in St Augustine as a consultant for marketing, press, and social media outlets. Her 9-year career at Island Prep came to a close in October of 2021 when she decided to take a break to focus on her family. Since then, Kate has sought out volunteer opportunities in both education and community service working as a Rotarian to head up the Early Act and Interact clubs at local schools.

BOARD MEMBER

Matthew Shaffer is an experienced real estate advisor at Engel & Völkers St. Augustine with a solid reputation in the local real estate industry as a knowledgeable and trustworthy advocate for his customers. With a Master of Business Administration degree from Wayne State University and as a former vice-president and co-owner of a successful Detroit construction business, Matthew also brings to his role as an Independence Youth Center board member an exceptionally strong background in business and finance.

BOARD MEMBER

Originally from Buffalo, New York, Becky moved to St. Augustine in 2014. She graduated from Wake Forest University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Secondary Education and then went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from Penn State University. Becky is licensed to practice law in New York, Florida, and North Carolina. From 2017 to 2021, she joined the law firm of Lippes, Mathias, Wexler, Friedman in its Florida office, as Legal Coordinator. Currently, Becky has traded her “legal hat” for her “mom hat” and is enjoying life as a stay-at-home mom.

Becky has a passion for supporting the family and education-focused non-profits. She has served on other boards including; Ronald McDonald House Charites of Western New York and the Child Guidance Center. She and her husband, Chris, have two young children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, serving at her church, Colonial Church and hanging out at the beach! Becky currently serves on the school board at Island Prep Elementary.