Bios

RICHARD A. RUPERTO

Richard Ruperto of Treasure Coast Christian Counseling Center

My name is Rick Ruperto, CEO and Board Certified Therapist for Treasure Coast Christian Counseling Center (TC-4). I have been a resident of Martin County for 13 years. I have been married to my wife, Kim, for 8 years. We have two boys ages 3 and 7.

I was raised in a small town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I attended Saint James Catholic school and served as an alter boy for four years. At the age of nine I made a decision for the Lord Jesus Christ but never had any discipleship training.

I attended Quaker Valley High School in Sewickley, Pennsylvania where I earned a full football scholarship at Clarion State University. While at college I also was one of the founding fathers of Sigma PI Fraternity. After five years I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Science with a Sociology and History Minors. When I was in college I made a commitment to seek out more to know Christ. It was at this time of my life that I knew God was calling me for an exciting journey.

Since college graduation in 1996 I have worked and been used to glorify the kingdom. I have worked in the jail system counseling and leading bible studies for convicted felons in Tampa Bay,

It was then that I was introduced to Dr. Milton Boyd who was the Director of African American Church Development for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) located in Jacksonville, Florida. I traveled around the state of Florida for the SBC teaching and training churches with weekend workshops and church development. While working with the SBC, I was employed full time and served as a Drill Instructor/Case Manager for the Juvenile Offender Training Center, otherwise known as “THE BOOT CAMP” for the Martin County Sheriff’s Department. Along with working with troubled youth in five counties, I was also involved in many of those counties and served on many boards for inner city programs.

Some other accomplishments in my life includes helping create and share Gods’ word through video format with The Watchword Bible (video bible), which sold over a million copies. I assisted in the planting of the first faith based initiative in Jacksonville Florida, and later in the Martin County jail system under the direction of former Governor Jeb Bush.

I am currently self-employed as CEO and Board Certified Therapist in six disciplines at TC-4 Counseling Services in Stuart Florida. I am continuing my education through Cornerstone University where I obtained my Masters and am scheduled to complete my Doctorate Degree in 2010.

GENARIS G. HASTON

Genaris Haston of Treasure Coast Christian Counseling Center

My name is Genaris Haston, Director of Community Outreach at the Treasure Coast Christian Counseling Center (TC-4). I have been a resident of Martin County for 30 years. I attended J.D. Parker Elementary, Stuart Middle, and Martin County High School, graduating with the class of 1993. I received an athletic scholarship to Middle Tennessee State University where I completed one year before returning to Martin County to accept an opportunity at AmeriCorps Martin. At AmeriCorps Martin, I was employed as Coordinator of Crime Prevention and a liaison through the Martin County Schools to assist at risk youth academically and behaviorally. Through AmeriCorps Martin, I coached the Martin County Sheriff’s athletic league youth basketball team. Thereafter, I accepted a position with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

I served 13 years tenure with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office as a certified Corrections Officer. While serving in this capacity, I also served as a Drill Instructor, Supervisor and Case Manager for the Juvenile Offender Training Center, well known as “THE BOOT CAMP”. I was responsible for performance planning, risk assessments, record management, and the classification of committed youth through a treatment team approach. In addition, I provided monthly progress reports to parents, probation officers and committing courts. During this tenure, I continued my education at Indian River Community College and received an Associate in Arts Degree. While continuing to serve as a deputy, I became a substitute teacher for the Martin County School District and R.O.T.C. instructor at J.D. Parker Elementary. . I continued my education at Florida Atlantic University where I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

After retiring in 2007 from the Martin County Sheriff’s office, I have been involved in an array of capacities; some include, serving as a retired volunteer for the Sheriff’s Department, mentoring and counseling youth, and establishing positive rapport with community members. I became the President and Owner of Support Services Network, Incorporated where I provided various services for individuals with developmental disabilities to ensure these individuals have the best quality of life. My responsibilities included organizing and maintaining case files, providing training to employees, disseminating information to support agencies, and communicating effectively with support personnel.

Currently, I am certified in Mental Health First Aid, and continuing my education with the National Christian Counselor’s Association at the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling where I am scheduled to complete my Master’s Degree in 2010.

These positions have not only prepared me to work with all types of people, but have also equipped me with skills to be proactive in making decisions, conduct needs assessment, and provide support services for our community, in addition to the ability to coordinate and implement programs and projects in our community. I am proud to continue to make a difference in our community as the Director of Community Outreach with TC4.