Director of Program Operations

Elizabeth Szarkowski earned her Master of Science in Clinical Art Therapy from Springfield College and has dedicated her career to supporting at-risk children and families. Her experience spans roles as a Mental Health Clinician, Family Services Coordinator for anti-gang initiatives, and provider of incarceration and reunification support for mothers. She later served as Administrative Coordinator for Massachusetts’ largest Healthy Families Program, supporting first-time parents. After relocating to South Carolina in 2018, Elizabeth joined the South Carolina Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, where she developed a nationally accredited 24-hour CAC Advocacy Training, launched a peer review program for forensic interviewers, and led the creation of the state’s Child Abuse Protocol Training. In October 2024, Elizabeth became the Director of Program Operations at Growing Hope, where she oversees the Family Resource Center Prevention Services, Leaphart Apartments, Community Training Homes, and the Strengthening Families Program.

Elizabeth believes that every child deserves a safe, healthy, and joy-filled home. As the Director of Program Operations, she is dedicated to enhancing the quality of support each individual receives, ensuring that every person has the opportunity to grow and thrive. Committed to continuous improvement, Elizabeth seeks innovative ways to strengthen services, empower families, and create lasting, positive change within the communities she serves.

As an impressionable teenager, Elizabeth dreamed of becoming a tornado chaser—because who wouldn’t want to race the wind? Thankfully, her good sense won out over her sense of adventure, and she chose safety over storm chasing. These days, she channels that same fascination into watching storm chasers on YouTube and proudly serves as the office’s unofficial weather reporter, keeping everyone up to date on any storms brewing across the continental U.S.