About Us
Working to prepare for a future
Who We Are
About Lionheart WORKS
Lionheart WORKS opened in 2015 as a vocationally focused program serving adults ages 18 and older with autism and other neurodiverse abilities. Through a person centered, supportive, and strengths based approach, we provide meaningful opportunities for skill development, community engagement, and employment readiness. Our teamWORKS program offers enriching group based experiences that foster collaboration and social growth, while iWORK supports individuals pursuing independent employment pathways tailored to their unique goals. At Lionheart WORKS, we are committed to helping each participant build confidence and independence.
Lionheart WORKS offers two options within our program to meet various goals and preferences: TeamWORKS and iWORK. TeamWORKS provides small group jobs, volunteer opportunities, and continued skill development through internal and community based experiences, with a focus on connection and shared interests. iWORKS supports individuals pursuing competitive, integrated employment through a structured, phase based approach. Most iWORKS participants receive services at WORKS two days a week over a span of 6-10 months. Services include discovery, job exploration, placement, coaching, accommodations, and the development of natural supports. Participants in iWORKS are expected to work toward achieving community based employment with at least 80% independence by the completion of services.
Each participant begins with a discovery process designed to identify their abilities, interests, and readiness for work. From there, individualized vocational training, social development, and self advocacy skills are cultivated both in our training center and in professional work environments.
Lionheart WORKS partners with businesses, organizations, schools, and churches throughout the North Metro Atlanta area that are committed to training and employing our participants. These worksites play an active role in fostering growth and are dedicated to helping individuals achieve long term employment success.
A collaborative support team, including families, Lionheart WORKS staff, vocational counselors, and worksite supervisors, works together to help each participant reach their highest level of independence and personal fulfillment. Participants are paired with trained job coaches who are thoughtfully matched to their unique strengths and needs.
Our staff brings diverse professional expertise in fields such as social work, speech-language pathology, psychology, education, recreation, and political science. Many team members are ACRE-certified and actively engaged with national organizations such as TASH, a national disability advocacy group, and APSE, the Association of People Supporting Employment First . Ongoing professional development ensures our team remains equipped to provide high quality, evidence based support to our participants.
Our Mission
Our History
Lionheart Life Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in the year 2000 by a group of parents and professionals who created a supportive and nurturing environment for children with challenges of relating and communicating. Lionheart started in a small cottage on the grounds of the Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, and worked diligently to create a model program that focused on each child’s individual differences. In 2010, with the support of families, friends, foundations and the community, the Lionheart School moved into a new school building that is designed specifically for the population it serves.
As Lionheart School students began to age out of the school program, Lionheart realized the growing need for a post-secondary option, especially for individuals wanting to learn skills to obtain employment. Lionheart WORKS was founded in 2015 to support individuals seeking community and employment. Since 2015, Lionheart WORKS has served over 90 adults.
Watch our 25th
Anniversary video
Our Team
Undoubtedly, Lionheart’s greatest asset is its staff.
Robyn Guy, BS
Director of Lionheart WORKS
Robyn graduated from Furman University with a degree in Math and Economics. After a career in software quality assurance, she began substitute teaching. She was drawn to teaching students with special needs and worked as a middle school Special Education Paraprofessional. She began volunteering at Lionheart as a Job Coach and is excited to join the staff at Lionheart as a Vocational Assistant. Robyn enjoys photography, music, painting, and volunteering in her free time.
Sarah Gavina, BA
Vocational Development Manager & Technology Manager
Sarah graduated from Kennesaw State University with a bachelor’s degree in History with an English minor. Sarah is a certified Supported Employment Professional (ACRE trained through the University of Georgia). She has worked and volunteered with children, teenagers, and adults with learning disabilities and ASD for 18 years. Sarah has worked at Lionheart for 7 years and is thrilled to serve as the Lionheart WORKS Vocational Development Manager and Lionheart Tech Site Manager.
Victoria A. McBride, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Co-Founder & Head of Therapeutic Services
Victoria is the Co-Founder and Head of Therapeutic Services. Victoria has a Master’s Degree from the University of Georgia and is a certified and licensed Speech and Language Pathologist. She has worked for over 30 years with children in various settings; including private school, public school, and private practice with families. Victoria, along with Elizabeth Dulin oversees every aspect of the child’s programming at Lionheart. She works closely with families to carefully identify individual needs and address them accordingly. Her many years of experience has afforded her the opportunity to work with the students to evaluate and assist them in successful transitioning to adulthood; overseeing the vocational and therapeutic aspects of the Lionheart for Life program. She also works with children on their pragmatic language skills, articulation and oral-motor difficulties, as well as other language based challenges. Victoria mentors and supports the teachers and therapists at Lionheart. She is a DIR® certified specialist, embedding DIR® principles in her intervention strategies while working with the students and supervising curriculum objectives.
Will Hamby, AA
Vocational Assistant & Farm and Recreation Manager
Will is an avid outdoorsman that grew up in the Atlanta area. His love of outdoor recreation led him to spend his Gap year in Washington State. He moved back east to the mountains of North Carolina for college, earning an Associate’s Degree. Will is a certified Supported Employment Professional (ACRE trained through the University of Georgia). He has worked in the Outdoor Industry in multiple facets and spent every summer as a camp counselor. He became interested in a career with people with special needs when he worked with a Lionheart participant at camp. He felt like his interactions with this young man were enriching him in a way he had never been before. He is delighted to be working at Lionheart as a Vocational Assistant and Farm and Recreation Manager. He is looking forward to continuing his education in the field of special needs.
Crystal Russell
Vocational Assistant
Crystal is a program and project leader, coach, speaker, and facilitator who enjoys supporting people and organizations through growth and change. Her professional journey includes serving in these roles at Chick-fil-A Corporate, Kaiser Permanente, and Aetna, where she was fortunate enough to contribute to enterprise change efforts, talent and leadership development, enterprise system implementations, and process improvements. She values curiosity, collaboration, community, growth, and creating space for others to succeed. In her new role, she hopes to leverage her experience and partner with the fantastic team at Lionheart Works to continue to build participants' confidence, clarity, and career momentum as they discover how to use their talents and gifts in the workplace. As a lifelong student, Crystal is currently pursuing her master’s degree in industrial-organizational Psychology at the University of Georgia, where she explores ways to build healthier and more effective workplaces. Outside of her work and studies, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three adult children. Her favorite activities include hiking, enjoying a hot cup of tea, birdwatching, and listening to podcasts.
Katie Menosky, BA
Vocational Program Coordinator & Media Manager
Katie graduated from Samford University with a bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communication. Katie has been involved in various school programs assisting children and adults with developmental disabilities but discovered her passion while job coaching at Lionheart WORKS. Katie is thrilled to be a part of the Lionheart WORKS team as a Vocational Program Coordinator and Media Manager. She is looking forward to continuing her education in this field.
Kelley Petrini, MS, BCBA
Vocational Services Manager
Kelley developed a passion for teaching young adults functional skills to help them live more independent lives. Kelley received her Master’s in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida State University, and she became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2013. Kelley has worked with teenagers and young adults in vocational, clinical, school, residential, and community-based settings, and was the Vocational and Life Skills Clinical Director for a private school program outside of Boston. Kelley is thrilled to serve as the Vocational Services Manager for Lionheart WORKS.
Erica Greene
Vocational Assistant
My name is Erica Greene and I am an alumni of FSU as well as a native central Floridian. I have called Georgia home since 1997 and have lived in the Alpharetta area for the last 9 years. I have a wonderful husband (of 28 years!) named Brad. We have a son, 24, and daughter, 18. I will be rooting for UGA this fall because our daughter and money are headed to Athens. For the last 9 years, I worked for the Fulton County School System as a media center assistant and special education paraprofessional. I am a "people person" who genuinely enjoys making others smile and feel at ease. As far as hobbies are concerned, I am a crafter, volunteer at church, and a dog mom to two beloved goldendoodles. If given the time, I might also be found happily wandering around a thrift store. I look forward to my new role as a Vocational Assistant and deem it a true honor to be joining the team at Lionheart WORKS.
Robin Wilkinson
Cottage Manager
Robin graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Marketing and emphasis in Fashion Merchandising. Most recently a Global Manager of Learning Operations, Robin also has experience as an entrepreneur and a contract instructor for computer and business skills training. She was a youth counselor for many years at Alpharetta Methodist and a jewelry job coach with Lionheart. Robin enjoys creating polymer clay jewelry, diy projects, and cooking. She is excited to join the Lionheart WORKS team as Cottage Manager.
