Who We Are

Fr. Dustin combines his dedication to those on the margins of society with his service to the Church. After spending years visiting the incarcerated in Florida’s massive prison system, he believes that the church has the resources and the community to assist those that are returning back into society from prison.

Fr. Dustin has a B.A. in Religion and Classics, as well as his Masters and Doctorate in Religion, all from Florida State University. He also has his Masters in Theological Studies from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. He was ordained as a Catholic Priest in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee in 2016.

Fr. Dustin has spoken at various events and conferences including NY Encounter 2021, Appalachian Psychoanalytic Society 2020, Notre Dame Seminary (NOLA), and American Academy of Religion.  He serves on the board of Catholic Prison Ministry Coalition, TEMPO, and Big Bend After Reentry Coalition.

Brent holds an MSW from Florida State University's College of Social Work. A Virginia native, Brent has lived in Florida for the past 7 years. He loves his Catholic faith and actively attends the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More. Through his proximity to Christ, he has learned that mercy and grace are God's nature, and it is the Cross that invites us to partake in this extension of His nature. He was drawn to Joseph House for our work in restoration; in believing in compassion and reminding each man of the inherent value and worth of their heart, a mission that the Cross of Jesus started. It has been his privilege and honor to serve at Joseph House, and he is expectant for all that is to come.

Julia Shelly holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy. She has extensive experience working on federal, state, local, corporate, and foundation grants, as well as developing policies for nonprofits to enhance their sustainability and impact. Her background includes strategic grant writing, compliance management, and nonprofit policy development, ensuring organizations effectively secure grant funding and implement strong governance structures.

With a deep commitment to community service, Julia brings a wealth of expertise in nonprofit operations and a passion for strengthening organizations that serve others. She is dedicated to supporting Joseph House’s mission through her knowledge of grant management and policy development.  

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Almira holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Florida State University, and an Associate Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto in Piano Performance. She has served as Fundraising Executive for Open Door Women's Clinic and was the Director of Music at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Tallahassee, Florida from 2014-2023.. She brings to us strong ties to the local community, a wealth of experience with nonprofit work, and passion for Joseph House's mission of accompaniment and restoration. She and her husband, Paul, have been married for 25 years, and have 6 beautiful children.

Taparree Shelton grew up in Brevard County, FL, and Syracuse, NY. Pre came to live at Joseph House in November 2021 after 22 years incarcerated in the state of Florida.

Pre has experience living in solitary confinement dorms and can speak personally to the effects this has on people who experience it.

Father Dustin and Pre met while Pre was staying in a solitary confinement dorm. During those early conversations, they dreamed together of a place where formerly incarcerated men could live after release. These conversations became the early building blocks for what became Joseph House.

Pre has participated in the 2022 Lumen Christi Catholic Criminal Justice Reform Network Conference at Georgetown University, was a guest speaker at the USCCB Social Gathering in 2022, and has also spoken locally at the Big Bend After Reentry Coalition.

From the beginning, Bishop Bill has played a critical role in the formation of Joseph House. Bishop Bill is dedicated to paying particular attention to those who find themselves on the periphery of society, and making sure they do not get lost or forgotten.

During his seven years at Andre House, a ministry to the homeless in Phoenix, AZ, Bishop Bill became well aware of the needs of the marginalized and invisible. He has given multiple interviews and spoken about Joseph House before many different groups.

Fr. Dustin combines his dedication to those on the margins of society with his service to the Church. After spending years visiting the incarcerated in Florida’s massive prison system, he believes that the church has the resources and the community to assist those that are returning back into society from prison.

Fr. Dustin has a B.A. in Religion and Classics, as well as his Masters and Doctorate in Religion, all from Florida State University. He also has his Masters in Theological Studies from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. He was ordained as a Catholic Priest in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee in 2016.

Fr. Dustin has spoken at various events and conferences including NY Encounter 2021, Appalachian Psychoanalytic Society 2020, Notre Dame Seminary (NOLA), and American Academy of Religion.  He serves on the board of Catholic Prison Ministry Coalition, TEMPO, and Big Bend After Reentry Coalition.

Mary is a professor in practical theology and the Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, FL. Mary is also a licensed mental health counselor.

She has a longstanding commitment to racial and social justice. She has taught in the prison system and has been involved with other reentry programs.

Matthew F. Knee has worked for the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee for over 21 years and is the President/Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida.  Matthew has been with Catholic Charities for the past 8 years and has served as the Executive Director for the past 5 years.

Though Matthew’s educational background is in Business Administration, he has a heart for service.  Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida offers services such as emergency financial assistance, pregnancy and adoption services, immigration and refugee services, food assistance, transitional shelter services, holiday assistance, disaster response and recovery, and counseling.

Through the various programs at Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, Catholic Charities serves on average over 50,000 individuals each year. Matthew has extensive knowledge in writing and managing state and federal grants and contracts, fundraising, business management, and financial oversight.

My name is Sam Lyons and I have lived in Tallahassee since 1990. I attended FSU and received a Bachelors in Criminology in the spring of 2011 before working in the private sector for a major automotive retailer. I started working with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) in the fall of 2014.

Since then, I have held several administrative roles within DJJ and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs before moving over to the Florida Department of Health. My current role is serving as the Strategic and Operations Section Manager for the Division of Emergency Preparedness and Community Support. I am three classes away from finishing my Master’s in Public Administration from FSU.

I got married in November of 2020 to the love of my life, Kendra, and thank God for her every day. I have a true passion for helping people and actively support criminal justice reform through community advocacy and change.

Dr. Kate E. Temoney is Associate Professor of Religion at Montclair State University and teaches courses on Religious Ethics, the Holocaust, African Religions, Jewish Applied Ethics, Religions of the World, and Religion & Human Rights.

She is the American Academy of Religion co-chair of the Religion, Holocaust, and Genocide Unit as well as a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Committee on Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust. Trained as a comparative religious ethicist, her international publications and presentations address the intersections of religion, human rights, genocide, and theory of history.

Dr. Temoney earned a BA from Wake Forest University, an MEd from The College of William & Mary, and an MA and PhD from Florida State University.