After almost six years of service, Anna Groff, executive director of the abuse prevention organization Dove’s Nest, submitted her resignation July 26. She will be an assistant professor of communication at Goshen College this fall.

Dove’s Nest began as a grassroots movement at the 2009 Mennonite Church USA convention. In 2012, the Dove’s Nest board decided to broaden the scope beyond Mennonite churches to further fulfill its mission to equip faith communities to keep children and youth safe.

“I am humbled by the many churches and individuals that supported our work and who bravely prioritized children’s safety,” Groff said.

With board and staff, Groff grew the size and scope of trainings, increased the number of speaker bureau members, created online and video trainings and started a consultation service for policies and situations.

Groff worked with Jeanette Harder, Dove’s Nest cofounder and board member, to provide cultural awareness trainings to social services in areas with Plain communities. Dove’s Nest facilitated the Safe Children Project, a partnership with Plain community members, to distribute For the Sake of a Child: Love, Safety and Abuse in our Plain Communities to over 46,000 Plain community families.

“We are continuing to offer resources, trainings and consultations, which have been an area of growth despite the pandemic,” said board chair Nancy Kauffmann.

Kathy Haake will continue as associate director.