About Us

Survivor Strong provides healing opportunities for survivors of gender-based violence. We work with law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and other community members that receive disclosures. We respond by supporting survivors through the aftermath of their abuse with a trauma-informed, victim-centered approach. We provide resources and services for survivors because we know the importance of community and support in the healing journey.

It is Survivor Strong’s firm belief that support and community can be a catalyst for healing. In addition to trainings, we educate students, parents, and community members on body safety, healthy relationships, options for survivors, and allyship.  

Our mission is to provide holistic healing opportunities and advocacy to survivors of gender-based violence and develop curricula to educate our communities.


Our Staff

Amanda Thomashow

Amanda Thomashow is a survivor + advocate who works to create systems that prevent gender-based violence + support survivors. Before founding Survivor Strong, Amanda served as the Campus Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Coordinator for the Michigan Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board. Amanda is on Michigan State University’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Advisory Board, the Wayne County Safe Healing Center Advisory Board + served as a co-curator for the Finding Our Voice exhibit at the Michigan State University Museum.
In 2018, she received ESPN’s Arthur Ashe Courage Award, the Paul H. Chapman Award from the Foundation for the Improvement of Justice + the Humanitarian Award from the Foundation for Global Sports Development. Amanda got her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, her strength from her mother, her independence from her father + her courage from learning to love herself. She prefers mountains, fresh air, black coffee + pup snuggles from her sidekick, Ollivander

Alecxis Scherer

Alecxis Scherer was one of the first official Survivor Strong team members and coordinated all internal operations as the organization grew roots and settled in.
Now, with many more hands on deck, Alecxis will be delving into the world of advocacy, as she is an advocate at heart, and further developing the services we offer for the survivors we help.

Patti Scherer

Patti Scherer joined the Survivor Strong team as a volunteer and quickly became an integral part of our team. She is our Survivor Closet curator and coordinator, and we are so excited to have her joining us to serve survivors and create culture change.


Our Board

Kelly McClintock

Kelly R. McClintock is a Lansing-based attorney who is using her position to empower people and communities to achieve independence and freedom. Kelly graduated from Michigan State University of Law Cum Laude in 2018, then worked for Ingham County Probate. In her role, Kelly worked closely with the Personal Protection Order office to keep victims of domestic violence and their families safe.  

Since 2015, Kelly has been an active member of the anti-trafficking movement in Michigan and beyond. In 2016, Kelly worked with the internationally recognized Advocates for Human Rights, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to help launch anti-trafficking training for lawyers and prosecutors. She is also a member and certified trainer from the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force. 

Prior to attending law school, Kelly worked in the non-profit community development finance industry for 5 years. Rising from intern to Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations with Cinnaire Corporation.  Kelly also spent time interning directing for the Michigan Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. 

Mae Whiting

Annie Haas

Join Our Team

At Survivor Strong, we strive to honor survivors and build community. It is hard, meaningful work that takes an amazing team to accomplish. We recognize and compensate our employees with ethical pay and benefits that encourage self-care. If you feel like you would be a great fit for our organization, we’d love to hear from you! 

Applicants may submit their resume and cover letter to 

[email protected]