Andrea Caouette

Andrea, or Andi as most know her, spent many years carrying the shame of believing she was involved in an affair with her pastor in her late teens and early twenties. Feeling completely alone, she hid her secret at all costs, but could not escape the shame. It wasn’t until 2014, 13 years after the “relationship” ended that a counselor helped her see that what she had experienced was both spiritual and sexual abuse.

Since that time, Andi has done extensive research in the area of clergy abuse. In 2015, in the course of her research, she came across The Hope of Survivors website. Andi visited the website many times over the next few years, always believing God was going to do something more with her through this organization. In November, 2021, seeking information regarding a research project, Andi reached out to The Hope of Survivors and ultimately was offered a volunteer opportunity.  This felt like an answer to prayer after nearly 20 years of seeking to help others who had been through what she had endured. Andi’s passion has been to raise awareness about clergy abuse in local churches and to help other survivors on the road to recovery.

Andi has spent 27 years doing social work in child welfare, investigating child abuse allegations and working with families affected by abuse and neglect to identify their strengths and develop case plans to become a stronger family unit. Andi has spent the last 5 years conducting and supervising the completion of psychosocial assessments for those who desire to become foster parents. In the course of her work, Andi has also provided trainings to large groups in the areas of substance abuse, human trafficking, Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) and sex addiction.

In her spare time, Andi enjoys Bible research, photography, walking, biking and spending time with her friends. It is with great excitement that she has ventured into volunteering with The Hope of Survivors.