Dan and Kelly Johnson

Dan and Kelly Johnson are the founders of “Hidden Sanctuary Village, Inc.,” a recently established nonprofit organization that will help victims of domestic violence with shelter, healing, and a safe exit from their abusive past.

They’re so cool – they come as a pair.

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Kelly and Dan Johnson are quiet, pleasant, and eager to make a difference. Their mission: Hidden Sanctuary Village (HSV).

Their non-profit started as a dream and is now becoming a reality, slowly but surely, with their hard work, focused efforts, and getting the word out in the community.   

Together, the married couple own a home improvement business, called “Inside Out Pros, LLC.” It’s their day job, while at night and the majority of  their free time they devote to their church and to research for their non-profit. Their goal is to open up a shelter for domestic violence victims, their children, and their pets.  The Johnson’s want to make HSV their full-time career by the end of 2020.

The Johnsons have been married since April 2018.

“We both feel that Hidden Sanctuary Village could potentially save many lives through shelter, therapy, and making sure each and every victim know that they are important and can be loved,” Dan explained. 

Their passion, collaboratively as a couple, is their dream for a shelter.

“We spend every waking moment researching, evolving, and improving what we will be building, and how it will effect the victims and their families,” Dan said. Johnson, CEO of HSV, met his wife Kelly, from the website Match.com. Kelly, secretary for HSV, grew up in Sebastian and Palm Bay and has traveled around the world living in various locations as a result of her father being in the military.  Dan is from Long Island, New York, and has been in Indian River County for six years.

Both from entirely different backgrounds, both parents of thriving adult children that are grown and off on their own, the two knew on their very first date that they were going to be married. In fact, they came up with their idea for Hidden Sanctuary Village before they even discussed their wedding plans. Dan and Kelly married in April of 2018.         

A night and day difference, Kelly is quiet and reserved, doesn’t consider herself cool (actually, her exact words were “No comment”), and Dan admits he snorts when he laughs and tries not to talk too much in public.  Shy until you get to know him, Dan says, “Poor Kelly, she has to listen to me  24/7.”

Dan fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a firefighter/EMT in New York, and simultaneously became a master carpenter. Kelly raised three children. Both have had failed marriages previously,  however this union and their dream – along with a shared faith in God – is what will hold them together.

The final estimate of men shows that history cares not one iota for the rank or title a man has borne, but only the quality of his deeds, and the character of his mind and heart.” – Author Unknown

Dan Johnson’s Quote to Live By

“We are incorporating faith into the shelter,” the couple said. “We believe that spiritual therapy will help the domestic violence victims heal better than evidence therapy alone.”

The Johnsons are involved in church and lead a home group on Tuesday nights. Kelly teaches for women’s groups and Dan is in the school of ministry to become a pastor. They cherish their time devoted to church, their time devoted to building their dream,  and occasionally get out to enjoy kayaking, painting, arts, and crafts – all of which are aplenty in Vero Beach and Sebastian. The two enjoy the small-town feel of this area – and the beautiful sunsets.

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” – Mother Theresa

Kelly Johnson’s Quote to Live By

As for their choice of non-profits to grow and support, they chose a domestic violence shelter for reasons each personal to them. Ultimately, they want to make an impact on the lives of those who they will help.

 “People who felt trapped with absolutely no hope, will come out of Hidden Sanctuary Village with a brand-new life,” Dan said. For his wife, “I want to give people the opportunity to see their own self-worth,” she said. “And that their lives have value after living with an abuser and being controlled. For some, many years.”

The two concur that their greatest supports are each other, as well as their strive to live the way God intended for them to, although the community and church have been very supportive.

Quotes they live by: Dan – “The final estimate of men shows that history cares not one iota for the rank or title a man has borne, but only the quality of his deeds, and the character of his mind and heart.” – Author Unknown, and Kelly – “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” – Mother Theresa

To learn more about their non-profit, you can find them on Facebook, or visit their website at www.hiddensanctuaryvillage.com. There, they accept donations and are always looking for volunteers with spreading the word, grant-writing, and several up and coming opportunities.

Jennifer Stockdale
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