About the Timothy Initiative

 

Our Story

The Timothy Initiative was founded in 2010 by George Wood. After his personal struggles with addiction, mental health, and suicide attempts, he set out with a mission to walk alongside other men and introduce a new way of life through Jesus. With the support of the Underground Network, the Timothy Initiative formed. The name “Timothy Initiative” comes from the relationship in scripture between Paul and Timothy. Paul worked side by side with Timothy mentoring and equipping him. Timothy was given the tools and direction to continue to share the message of Jesus Christ. Our community is sustained by men who have been experienced this transformation sharing their story and investing in the next guy.

In 2019, Timothy Initiative officially incorporated as a 501(c)3 continuing their ongoing ministry with the mission to serve men in recovery from addiction, homelessness, and other tough life circumstances. We currently operate in Tampa, FL with a total of four residential homes. Three of our homes provide affordable, sober living for men. These men also learn to rely on each other and support each other through struggles and celebrate each other in success. Our fourth house is our program home which can accommodate up to 14 men. These men are asked to make a one year commitment upon entering, but our program is open ended. Men work with our Work Therapy partners during the week and participate in different activities throughout the week - like our in house recovery meeting and weekly bible study, morning devotionals as a community, involvement in the local church, mentoring, and community service projects. We work with men to heal and restore all areas of their lives - physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.

Our Approach

Our ministry model was developed through practice. By connecting men to community, to God, and to a bigger purpose, we are able to see substantially more effective results than a typical rehab environment. We strive to see men fully living healed as the father, brother, son, partner, and man that God created them to be. By addressing the sin, brokenness, and trauma that leads into addiction and mental health struggles, our men are truly able to heal. We work with men to develop their lives in a way that is full of purpose and submitted to God. This work is done through our four pillars - Recovery, Discipleship, Work Therapy, and Community.

The 4 Pillars

Timothy Initiative exists to serve broken men whose lives have fallen apart due to addiction, homelessness, incarceration, or some other major life challenge.

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Staff

Lindsay Carr
Executive Director
Jeremy Bogar
Operations Manager
Mike Malpede
Recovery Home Manager
Neal Lain
Program Manager

Board of Directors

We are proud to present our board of directors, a team of committed professionals who desire to see Jesus on display in the lives of our men. 

Michael Maddux
President
Mr. Maddux is a board-certified criminal trial lawyer who practices personal injury and civil rights litigation as well. In his nearly 30 years of practice, he’s had the good fortune of helping Timothy initiative men surmount legal hurdles. His love of Jesus inspires him to help bring “freedom to the captives“. Whether it be men struggling with homelessness, addiction, or mental health challenges, we are called to serve. For Michael, TI provides a powerful way to make a difference. You can learn more about Michael and at his firm’s website www.madduxattorneys.com
Will Barrett
Secretary
Will was a part of the original team that started the Timothy Initiative alongside George Wood. At the time, he was a USF student with a passion for helping those affected by homelessness. He has since graduated with degrees in Economics and Finance and he is now on his third start-up venture. He is now the VP of Content at Threshold 360, a tech startup based in Tampa. He lives in the neighborhood and loves connecting with our men when he's not chasing around his son, Liam.
Brad Ewert
Board Member
Brad has spent the majority of his career in Corporate Accounting ranging from GL, Consolidation, and Capex accounting. He and  his wife Heidi and two sons live in the Tampa area. He dedicates his free time to serve others in the community with a heart and passion for helping men move from where they are to where God wants them to be. He believes that there is no greater joy that one can seek than that of seeing another man restored to peace and grace through Christ Jesus. The Timothy Initiative’s mission aligns closely with his own story of redemption and is therefore close to his heart.
Tiffany Katter
Board Member
Hi, my name is Tiffany and I have a marketing degree from Penn State University. I have worked in several fields and held several titles, but I currently hold my favorite titles: follower of Jesus, wife to Jarrod, and stay at home mother to Matthew, Charlotte and Anthony. My passion for The Timothy Initiative grew out of immense heartache from the tragic drug overdose death of my brother in January 2021. Several of my family members have struggled with addiction and I have witnessed how addiction destroys families. George was a light to me in my darkest hours following my brother’s death, and I am excited to support him as he continues to shine the light of Jesus into the lives of addicted and broken men. 2 Corinthians 1:4 He comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Alisa Rehn
Board Member
Alisa is originally from Florida and has lived in 2 states and now up to 3 countries. She has been working in administration and customer service for the past 14 years with a high focus on administration as ministry for the past 9 years. Alisa has served administratively with ministries such as Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Underground Network and the National Christian Fellowship, empowering people in their calling and serving others to see their goals accomplished. She now works for COhatch helping with operations in the Tampa Bay area. When left to her own devices, she probably reads more fantasy novels than is strictly healthy and regularly considers ice cream a full meal. Having family members who have fought for sobriety has highlighted the importance of programs like the Timothy Initiative and the resources they provide for those who want it.
Ernie Sampera
Board Member
Ernie has over 30 years of experience in the technology and telecommunications industry. His background spans several disciplines with experience, from Sales Leadership roles to CMO roles and, lastly as co-founder of a co-location company (recently sold). He and his wife Samantha and family have made Tampa their home for over 15 years. My focus has been on issues that matter most to me and our family regarding addiction. It impacts the family’s well-being tremendously. Bringing this focus with my faith as an integral healing process for my family – I was blessed with an opportunity to contribute through TI. This is my journey to pave a forward path with God and Christ as my shining light.