Our Staff
Kylie Tomlin
Executive Director
More About Kylie
I’ve been on staff since June of 2020, fulfilling a few different roles prior to stepping in as Executive Director at the beginning of 2023. Within my role I love that I get to still take part in some client relations, but I love getting to put a plan in motion for the organization as a whole and cast vision! I couldn’t do what I do though, without the wonderful team we have here and our board of directors.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my best friend, Ryan, who I've been married to for 5 years! I am always up for a good adventure and probably planning my next trip. I am an avid lover of poetry or a good thriller book and art museums. In my free time you’ll most likely find me with my family, with my 5 nieces and 5 nephews, with friends playing board games, taking my golden retriever on a walk, or watching a good movie!
My life verse is Joel 2:12, “Come to me with all your heart.”
Maria Bates
Client Relations Director
More About Maria
I started at Helping Hands in May of 2022 as the Parent Educator. In February 2023, I took on the Client Relations role. I have the opportunity to love on and teach parenting/life skills to parents involved in services at Helping Hands. We offer a program that teaches unknown or lacking parenting skills to any and all parents; some of the parents fall on a spectrum of risk for child abuse and neglect, some are DCS clients, and some are simply looking to better their parenting. I get to work with parents one-on-one to support them throughout the program. I love building relationships with people, so this job is perfect for me!
I have been married to my husband, Jackson, for eight years, and we have two daughters, Raleigh and Evie. We also have a German Shepherd, Maggie. We have always lived in Bluffton and love being close to our family and friends. I enjoy reading and all things plants!
My favorite verse is Psalm 139:1-24.
Makinzi Peace
Client Relations Coordinator
More About Makinzi
I was hired at Helping Hands in September 2023. My role at Helping Hands is a variety of jobs combined into one job. I love that because it encompasses all the things that I am passionate about and enjoy. I get to work closely with clients, plan and develop programs and curriculum, and I am always evaluating and thinking about how we can make our programs and services better for those we serve.
My fiancé and I have been together for 2.5 years and are planning to get married this year! I have two dogs, Theo and Wilson. They are like my children, and we love going on adventures together! I enjoy spending time outdoors, with family and friends, and in the gym lifting weights.
My life verse is Proverbs 10:9, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
Greg Thornton
Men’s Coordinator + Advancement Director
More About Greg
I stepped in as the Men's Coordinator in August 2023, though I served on the Helping Hands' Board a few years ago and have always had a heart for their mission and this position certainly works with helping men down their path of life. I feel that my position at Helping Hands includes several areas of assisting men in navigating through their lives. Helping to teach, train, motivate and develop character to result in positive behaviors for them and their families. We added couples coaching to also enhance the relationships with partners and families. At the beginning of 2025, I stepped part-time into the role of Advancement Director.
I am blessed to have 3 girls and 3 sons in laws that are all Christians and are raising our 9 grandchildren that way. My kids truly love one another, and everyone enjoys time together playing any type of games or just hanging out. My family makes me think of the saying, Live, Laugh & Love. I have a better life and achieved more than I ever dreamed possible well into my 20’s and 30’s. I owe everything to God and my family. I am thankful for my wife, she is my encourager, cheerleader, and best friend.
My favorite verse is Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Erin Claghorn
Children's Program Director
More About Erin
I love what I do because there is so much we can learn from kids! It amazes me how completely unique we are created to be, and I love being a part of that as it unfolds in a child. Connecting with and leading kiddos through serving them is a way God shows me who I am, too, and teaches me how to love more like Jesus. Being a part of helping children learn about what makes them uniquely special and working with the volunteers who form the “village” it takes in children’s programming, provides me the opportunity to make a difference in a child’s world, to show them who they are and point them toward who God wants them to be.
I'm a girl with a big heart for Jesus and for other people and meaningful relationships with both are what overflows my cup! My husband, Chris, and I have two daughters who are beginning to “leave the nest”, beautiful in every way, and we are blessed to be their parents. Honorable mention is our super adorable toddler-dog who I believe will never grow up. I love happiness, hugs, sunshine, friendship, my dog, your dog, music, reading, nature, coffee, and good food!
A Bible verse I’ve been leaning in lately is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Jami Gerber
MomTime Facilitator
More About Jami
I am the facilitator for the community group, MomTime, at Helping Hands and have been since September 2022! We as women just enjoy being together… there have been tears and there has been laughter. I have really enjoyed being involved with Helping Hands, especially MomTime; I love being involved with the community and coming together as women to talk about all kinds of thing, to just connect and build relationships and friendships with one another. I am thankful to be in this season of life and I think God is going to grow me in my walk with Him as I serve at Helping Hands; it is a great place to challenge, encourage and sharpen each other in love.
I have been married to my best friend for 30 years and counting. We have three adult children, a son in law, and a daughter in law - and we love all of them! Anytime I get a chance, I love to babysit for our two grandsons. In my spare time, I love to walk, read, and take bike rides with my husband to the state park.
My favorite verse is Psalms 18:30. Psalm 18:30 states: "As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him."
Brittany Gerber
Registered Nurse
More About Brittany
I'm a Registered Nurse here on staff, I came on in November of 2022. I do pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and offer a few classes to new parents. If I can help a new mom see her baby for the first time, gain some better understanding of what she's going through, and connect her to resources, then I know I'm making a difference in her life and her child's life. I offer lots of education so I can give expectant parents some knowledge and peace of mind as they're preparing for this huge life change!
I've been married to Landon for 19 years and we have three amazing kids. I have been a nurse since 2008 and have worked in healthcare since I was 16 years old, starting out as a CNA. My most previous job experience was in pediatric intensive care, then I stayed at home raising my kids for about 6 years before starting at Helping Hands. I spend my free time with my family, chauffeuring kids to practices and games, and volunteering for a couple of other non-profit organizations.
My favorite verse is 1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Kristy Norris
Nurse Practitioner
More About Kristy
I’m also excited to begin serving with Helping Hands and join this amazing at the beginning of 2025. My passion is to help others, build relationships, and to bring God into conversations while using the gifts and talents He has given me. I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve and share Christ's love in all that we will be doing in our community.
I am a Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience, serving in family practice for the past seven years. Before this, I spent 15 years as an Emergency Room nurse. My calling is to help others become the best version of themselves, physically and spiritually, and I strive to reflect God’s love in all my interactions with patients.
I am blessed with three wonderful children: a freshman in college, a junior in high school, and a 6th grader. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 25 years, and together, we recently opened our home to become foster parents, answering God’s call to care for His children in need. We cherish our time spent at the lake and are grateful to be part of the Itown Church community in Bluffton, where I lead the Itown Foster Care Ministry.
My life verse is 1 John 4:19, "We love because He first loved us."
Maggie Pearman
Volunteer Coordinator
More About Maggie
I came on staff in April of 2023. As the Volunteer Coordinator, most of my job consists of working with our volunteers and donors. I spend much of my time training, interviewing, and coordinating volunteers, as well as recruiting new ones. I also ensure that all of our volunteer paperwork and procedures are up to date, and that we are caring for and supporting our volunteers. We absolutely couldn't do what we do without all of our fantastic volunteers! I have a passion for helping others and have always felt called to serve where I can. I have loved getting to volunteer at other places and am so blessed to get to work with volunteers here at Helping Hands!
My husband, Josh, and I have been married for 3 years, and we love getting to hike, kayak, travel, and adventure together. I love reading and collecting books, enjoying nature, and playing cozy video games.
My life verse is Psalm 143:10, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
Cecelia Ellet
Accountant
More About Cecelia
I am the Accountant at Helping Hands, I came on staff in January of 2023. I am so thankful for the people I work with. Everyone has their own gift and I love watching everyone use their gifts God gave them to help others.
I have been married for 23 years to a great man! We have been blessed with two kids; both are teenagers now! We are a family that likes spending time together. We all love the water, being by or in it.
A verse I look at daily is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”