YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SHELTER registered in Oregon in February 2014 as a Public Benefit Nonprofit Organization with the objective of offering youth in crisis a place of physical and emotional safety while assisting them to develop life skills that will enable them to become positively contributing members of their communities.
YES serves the youth of the Mid-Columbia, including six counties on both sides of the river - Wasco, Hood River, Sherman, Gilliam, Klickitat and Skamania.
Here are a few pics of our space and some of our crowd . . .
Founders, Gary and Linda Casady
Gary and Linda Casady are founders of Youth Empowerment Shelter. Coming to The Dalles in 2001, they were active in many youth/teenager - filled activities from camp cooks to teaching in the public schools. As they got to know the young men and women in the various places, they became aware very soon that there were situations which were not being addressed for a variety of reasons. The Dalles has many different kinds of services that provide assistance to youth in different ways, But there was a need for a safe place that could provide some time to address difficult issues that were going on in their lives. A place to step out and think about things while not right in the heat of the complicated pieces.
It soon became apparent that there were many people in the area thinking the same way. A group soon came together to form a Board of Directors and financial support became available to get Y.E.S. launched in early 2014. The word spread and others joined in and a staff was formed, composed of both paid and unpaid personnel. The word was spread that Y.E.S. was open for business in August of 2016. And so here we are still, by the grace of God, providing a place of safety and hope for youth in the Mid-Columbia area, 24/7/365. If you know of someone who could benefit from this services, please send them our way.
It soon became apparent that there were many people in the area thinking the same way. A group soon came together to form a Board of Directors and financial support became available to get Y.E.S. launched in early 2014. The word spread and others joined in and a staff was formed, composed of both paid and unpaid personnel. The word was spread that Y.E.S. was open for business in August of 2016. And so here we are still, by the grace of God, providing a place of safety and hope for youth in the Mid-Columbia area, 24/7/365. If you know of someone who could benefit from this services, please send them our way.
Current Staff:
YES staff currently (August 2018) are: Gary Casady as Executive Director, Kathy Heitkemper is Bookkeeper, LInda Casady is website editor, writes grants, and fills in for staff when needed. Fred Blakely is Manager, Krystal Phillips is week night attendant, Mariha Peterson and Jessica Lamoreau are Youth Advisers, Micah is weekend night attendant, and Paul Pickette and Owen Lamp are volunteer auxiliary staff.
Y.E.S. provides services to runaway, abandoned and homeless youth. In addition to providing physical shelter and food, Y.E.S. offers a process of family restoration, helping young people and their families listen to each other and explore solutions to issues that have been disruptive to positive family relationship. |
BOARD OF DIRECTORSFred Kirkman- President
Vice President Toni Cribbs Ted Pitt - Secretary Jason Dean - Treasurer Paul Pickette Fred Blakely - Youth members We are currently in need of additional Board members, including youth members (aged 13-16). |
