We Are a Nonprofit
The Garden Refuge team has one mission: to provide the care you need. Our providers and our staff work tirelessly to meet the needs of our patients and to serve them as they navigate their conditions. We offer everyone the time, space, and opportunity to be heard.
-
Telehealth services available across Illinois, making care accessible wherever you are
-
Community classes and psychoeducational workshops that promote mental wellness beyond the therapy room
-
A values-driven nonprofit model focused on strengthening families and building self-reliance
-
A safe, welcoming space where every voice is heard and respected
meet Our Board Of Directors
Araxie Jensen
Director
Araxie is certified in Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1, Level 2, Couples Addiction Recovery, and Trauma and Affairs. She is also a certified leader for the Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work courses. She is currently a Masters student at UIS, where she is studying marriage, couple and family counseling and developing an assessment for religious and spiritual trauma.
Araxie earned her BA in English from Brigham Young University and has completed Masters level work in Instructional Technology.
Araxie's research into family systems, resilience and intergenerational trauma started with a love of family history research, which she started in 2009. She and her husband have traveled to Serbia and Turkey researching distant family lines.
Karol Ann Vann Hoff
Treasurer
Carol Ann loves learning new things. Reading books, listening to podcasts, and attending workshops are favorite pastimes. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Brigham Young University and worked for a time at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT. She’s spent many years being a mom to 3 children; and is currently helping care for aging parents. Most recently, she worked as an Administrative Manager for a nationwide financial company.
She is an active participant at her church, working with youth, adults, and children; including teaching classes, organizing service projects, and volunteering in the community. Carol Ann spent some time living in Argentina and speaks conversational Spanish. She enjoys learning about different cultures and trying new foods. In her spare time, she likes to explore new bike trails around the city and spend time with family, both at home and abroad.
Nathan Jensen
Secretary
Nathan has his BA in History through the University of Houston and a Masters in Public Administration through Sam Houston State University and works in court administration at the state level.
Nathan has been researching family history since 2009 and most recently has been learning research techniques for the online Turkish database to further family history work in Turkey. He has broad experience in program management and grant writing.
Kara Maughan
Activities Director & Public Information Officer
Kara holds a BA in Elementary Education and Professional Studies, with certifications in Social Media Marketing, Graphic Design, and Family and Marriage Studies. With a passion for working with children and families, Kara is dedicated to strengthening communities through education, connection, and support.
Her background in both teaching and creative communications allows her to bring a unique blend of skills to her nonprofit work, from designing engaging outreach materials to developing meaningful programs for families. Beyond her professional pursuits, she loves traveling, reading, and spending quality time with her family. Guided by a genuine desire to make a difference, Kara strives to build resources, opportunities, and supportive spaces that empower children and families to thrive.
Rocio Shelter
Instructor
Rocio is from Peru, where she holds a JD from the National University Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo, an MA in Civil and Commercial Law from San Martín de Porres University in Lima, and completed doctoral studies in Law at Federico Villarreal University, also in Lima. She is also certified as a conciliator and judicial arbitrator.
Her experience includes five years in family law with Peru’s Department of Justice, five years investigating judicial misconduct and bribery. Since moving to Illinois, Rocio and gained an additional six years of experience in public service with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Illinois Department of Human Services. She currently serves as a policy writer for DCFS, focusing on policy development, legal research, and rule-making.
Rocio is always passionate about learning, and will soon start the Masters of Social Work program through Urbana-Champaign.
.png)
Donate to Garden Refuge
Thank you for your interest in our causes! Every donation is tax deductible.
If you do not receive a receipt for your taxes deductions, you can contact us with your name and the dollar amount you donated. Once we have verified your donation, we will send you a digital receipt.
Traditional & Organic
From Old MacDonald to today's commercial farmers, you dig or till up the ground, amend it with fertilizers and then plant your seeds and water as needed. Weed and pest control is where traditional and organic methods diverge with organic growers using a more limited range of weed and pest control sprays. Organic growers are also known for using compost, which has been shown to be hugely beneficial across almost all gardening methods.
Containers
Growing any number of plants or dwarf trees in a container. Useful for less cold hardy plants. Requires fertilizing and be careful not to underwater or overwater.
Permaculture
Incorporates a no-till method of planting to build soil health and focuses on companion planting "guilds" as a means of fertilizing, and pest/disease control. The aim is to replicate natural plant growth to create a more balanced ecosystem: F = Fruit tree : U = Understory (chop and drop, green fertilizer) : N = Nitrogen fixer : G = Ground cover. Guilds often incorporate a nitrogen fixing shrubs or tree, or a dynamic accumulator in the understory, like clover or comfy.
NO-TILL: Deep Mulch
There are various techniques that can fall into this category, including the Ruth Stout Method which uses straw and Back to Eden Gardening which uses wood chips. Generally, these methods save 70% water use over conventional gardening and help with weed suppression.
Aquaponics & Hydroponics
What is the difference between the two? Both grow food in a soil free environment. Hydroponics uses water soluble nutrients to feed the plants whereas aquaponics creates a balanced ecosystem by pumping water from a fish tank, creating a water filter for the fish and allowing the plants to feed on the fish waste. These methods require reservoirs and some type of pump, with the exception of the Kratky Method of hydroponics. Aquaponics can be difficult in Illinois because it is generally an outdoor system that relies on a fast growing, warmer water fish like tilapia.
Korean Natural Farming
Focuses on mycorrhizal relationships and building the biodiversity of the soil. Heavy in organic chemistry with a goal of increased GI tract health in the end user.
Book a Free Consultation
Family Story-Strong
Links to research tutorials, translators of dead languages and information about the many benefits of knowing your family history.
Glagolitic
Armeno-Turkish
Modern Turkey
Research Tutorials
Video tutorials for beginning family history research, Ancestry vs Family Search, etc.
Family-Story Strong
Learn about the physical and psychological benefits of knowing your family stories
Guest Lecturers
Contact us about a guest lecturer for basics of family history research, how family stories combat intergenerational trauma and writing your family history and self-publishing resources.
Our Books
Your purchase of any of these books will help provide mental health services for underserved populations through the Garden Refuge Nonprofit.
POP Psychology In Memes Vol.1
TAO Jensen
According to research, more than half of the mental health advice given on social media is wrong, especially when it comes to getting a proper diagnosis. Pop Psychology in Memes demystifies some of the most popular mental health diagnoses and behaviors using symptoms lists from the DSM-5-TR and simple, relatable stories. This is for fun, for your info, but not for diagnosing.
Ages 10+ - Psychoeducation and humor
The People Who Wore Baloons
Takouhie Jensen
Aani grew up in the New World, where everything was fresh and expanding. Star grew up in the Old World, where history lived in the streets and buildings. When Dani visited the Old World, their paths crossed. What began as a simple act of kindness grew into a lifelong friendship.
From language mix-ups and shared adventures to quiet moments of understanding, Dani and Star discover that friendship has no borders. On different sides of the earth, life changes, distance, work, and family pull at the strings that connect them.
Decades later, with hearts full of memories, Dani and Star reunite. What they share will remind readers of the beauty of holding on, the courage of letting go, and the magic of friendships that never fade.
A tender, timeless story about connection, curiosity, and the invisible strings that tie us together.
Includes an activities section for children with downloadable pages online, thought questions and fun facts about the Slovenian language.
Ages 10+ - Children's feelings, friendship, culture and travel