Board Chair
Tamyka Silva is a New Jersey native of Jamaican descent but currently resides in South Florida with her husband, Henry, and three young adults. Over the past 20 years she has worked extensively in the Information Technology field, holding several degrees and certifications. She has her Masters in Project Management and is a Certified PMP.
During the 9/11 attacks, Tamyka was a witness to it all. Her experiences that day coupled with a series of events that followed, were the inspiration behind her first book: “Out of the Ashes, We Rise”.
As a woman of God, Myka Silva aims to use her setbacks and disappointments as tool to serve others.
CEO and Founder
Born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Miramar, FL. Rev. Suzanne P. Marcellus graduated from Nova High School, and pursued a Christian education at Trinity International University, earning her a B.A. in Biblical Studies and Psychology. She founded House of Protection, Inc. (HOP) because of a vision she received in February of 2002. She has worked with teenagers and families for over twenty years, in the capacity of a Youth Leader and Pastoral Counselor. Suzanne’s strengths are her ability to lead, teach the Word of God and counsel. She oversees the operations of HOP and participates in the counseling of the families and discipleship of the teenagers. She is the author of Developing the Fruit of the Spirit, A Journey Through the Heart of Christ and Developing The Fruit of Patience Longsuffering, 30 Day Devotional. Suzanne is available to speak at churches, seminars, and conferences internationally. She conveys the goals, mission statement and general policies of the ministry, serves as the Chief Executive Officer, implements the policies as determined by the Board of Directors. Networks and seeks out funding sources. Other specific responsibilities include setting policy, being a spiritual leader, and overseeing the staff, finances, and Public Relations. Through personal experiences, such as becoming pregnant at 16, the Lord has given Suzanne the ability to relate and understand the brokenness seen in our young people today. Her training in Biblical Studies and Psychology, extensive service as a Youth Pastor, mother of four, and wife; and most importantly her relationship with our Creator have prepared her for HOP.
Board Treasurer
Karline Abrahams was born in St. Andrew, Jamaica. She attended Vaz Prep and graduated from Excelsior High School in 1979. She migrated to South Florida in 1983. She is a proud mother of two and grandmother of four. Karline enjoys cooking, interior decorating and traveling. She has been employed with Publix Supermarkets for 40 years and is a Store Manager. She has developed educational partnerships with local schools, is actively involved with the United Way, and has a heart for children and teens in need. Ms. Abrahams’ passion for God is evident in all that she does. Her many years of management experience, certification in CPR and AED by the American Heart Association and Certification as a Food Safety Manager will benefit the upcoming Residential Program. As Volunteer Director of Café, her responsibilities will include: planning and preparing meals, menus, food inventory, and purchases for special events, supply purchases and donations.
Board of Director
Dr. Williams is a native Floridian, she was born in Miami, and is a product of the Dade County Public School System. In 2016, while looking for daycares for her granddaughter she became extremely concerned with the process for signing kids in/out of daycares and schools, it was alarming to know that in most cases there were still so many paper logs and no verification in place for identifying the person picking up the children, because of her entrepreneurial spirit Dr. Williams decided to address this problem and she began her work! She designed the Daily Input Output System (DIOS) identification app to address identity management, tracking and record keeping of children and the elderly. The app is designed for parents and/or guardians to be identified by fingerprint as children are released. The transportation module allows live tracking, fingerprint check-in/out, instant notifications to parents and/or guardians.
Dr. Williams has over 30 years of work experience in local county government inInformation Technology Systems, to include 15 years of systems analysis and project management. She retired from local county government in December of 2022. She is a former substitute teacher for Miami Dade County Public Schools and worked over 8 years as an adjunct professor at Union Institute & University School of Business where she taught over a dozen courses in Business.
Dr. Williams graduated from Barry University with a B.S in Mgmt. Info Systems, she holds MBA from University of Phoenix and a Ph.D. in Theology from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. She is an ordained minister at Bread of Life Community Church, she is a wife and mother, but takes great pleasure in being a grandmother. She is most comfortable when traveling!
Phillip W. Fender, MBA, had over 30 years’ experience in Customer Relationship and Contact Center Management, with over a decade as a global industry Management Consultant to a variety of client organizations and outsourcers. He built and guided the successful Transformation Media Group, An Interactive Direct Marketing Agency headquartered in FL, where he provided Government Consultancy, Global Contact Center Solutions, Merchant Payment Processing Solutions and Multi-Channel Media Marketing. In addition Mr. Fender was a founding board member of Kid’s Connection, Chicago Illinois, served as Chief Operations Officer of Help Now Ministries, Inc. in Miami, Florida, which operated an orphanage in Zambia Africa as well as other charitable concerns throughout the Caribbean and South Florida. Since the beginning of HOP in 2004, he utilized his knowledge to market HOP through radio, television, and internet. He served as a Board of Director in the capacity of Board Leadership & Organizational Development/Fundraising. He spoke locally and internationally to youth on PASSION.