Willow Haven Advocacy Group
Erin Harvey
Clinical Director
Our Story
We are a brother and sister duo, Lyle Poppe and Erin Harvey, who grew up together in rural Pennsylvania. Our childhood was shaped by the quiet small-town living: knowing your neighbors, enjoying peaceful nights under the stars, and being free from the constant rush of city life. Over the years, we’ve each lived in different states, but our bond as siblings has always remained strong, and we’ve consistently encouraged one another both professionally and personally.
Today, we both call Virginia home. Erin lives in Powhatan, and Lyle lives on the outskirts of Suffolk. While we’ve chosen different professional paths, our work has always been centered on serving others.
Lyle has spent more than 15 years working in nonprofits, beginning in leadership roles supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Later, he served as Executive Director of a victim services agency in Wisconsin, where he witnessed firsthand the struggles survivors of abuse face, especially in rural areas.
Erin pursued her passion for helping people by completing her Master of Arts in Mental Health Clinical Counseling and becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. For the past several years, she has supported individuals in crisis, offering care, compassion, and guidance through some of their most difficult moments.
Though our careers unfolded separately, we realized how perfectly our skill sets complement each other. Lyle brings nonprofit leadership and advocacy experience, while Erin brings clinical expertise and deep compassion for people in crisis. Together, we knew we could create something meaningful, an organization that not only supports survivors but truly understands the unique challenges of rural living.
That vision became Willow Haven Advocacy Group.
Our roots run deep in rural America, and our love for its beauty, simplicity, and strength has never wavered. At the same time, we know that rural life presents unique barriers for survivors of abuse: limited transportation, fewer safe housing options, scarce access to medical or mental health care, and fewer job opportunities. These obstacles can make it incredibly difficult for someone to break free from abuse and rebuild their life.
Willow Haven Advocacy Group exists to change that. Our mission is to provide survivors with the resources, tools, and support they need to not only escape abuse but to thrive on their own terms. Whether it’s connecting someone with housing, helping them access medical or mental health services, or simply being a safe place to turn, we are committed to bridging the gap in rural communities where resources are limited.
For us, Willow Haven is more than an organization, it is the blending of our life experiences, our family bond, and our shared commitment to walking alongside survivors on their journey to safety and healing. Together with our community, we are building safer, stronger futures for survivors across Virginia’s rural areas.
