08/07/2026
To our Phoenix Project community and family –
When people think about Phoenix Project, what generally comes to mind is the services we provide, the events we attend, and our role in the community. Today, I want to honor one of the members that built this Agency from the ground up – our very first Agency Volunteer (12 years ago!) Melanie Stull.
At the end of this month, “our” Melanie will be retiring August 28th. When Phoenix Project was first becoming established in Warren County, Melanie believed in our mission. As an early volunteer, she gave her time, her talents, her compassion, and her heart without ever asking for recognition. Later, she was hired as our Direct Service Admin/Volunteer Coordinator. In that role, Mel answered office phones and crisis hotline calls, connecting survivors to safety and hope. She filled vehicles with gas, delivered food to those in need, bought cell phones to replaced those damaged, accompanied survivors to the hospital, provided counseling, and helped carry people through some of the darkest moments of their lives.
She grew our volunteer program, supporting our volunteers by answering questions, providing initial and ongoing training, and reminding them how much we as an Agency appreciate their help. Mel has shown up at every community event that she could – promoting Phoenix Project’s mission and establishing us as “the community’s response to sexual and domestic violence.” She completed hundreds of behind-the-scenes tasks that most people never knew about but without which our work simply would not have been possible. She is a part of every chapter of Phoenix Project’s story.
The measure of a person's impact isn't found in awards or titles. It's found in the lives forever changed because they chose to show up, day after day, year after year, with kindness, humility, unwavering dedication, and deep compassion. Y’all – Mel is alllll heart!
To say Mel will be missed is an understatement. There is an irreplaceable space she leaves behind, but there is also an incredible legacy that will continue through every survivor who found hope, every volunteer she inspired, every staff member she supported in our work, and every life made better because she chose Phoenix Project.
Mel – your entire family here wishes you a joy-filled retirement – you have more than earned it!!! From all of us, thank you. Thank you for believing in survivors, for believing in Phoenix Project, and for carrying us forward.
Mel – thank you, personally, for believing in me.
With love – Avery Harper, Executive Director, and your Phoenix Project Family
