STAFF
Gary Casady - Founder and Volunteer
Gary has more than four decades of experience in leadership and management related to serving youth and families. He and his wife Linda have been married 45 years; have three adult sons and eight grandchildren. For nine years they worked in the bush of Eastern Kenya where Gary was the Regional Coordinator for Theological Education by Extension. This resulted in 28 centers and the establishment of a TEE Committee composed of national leadership. After Kenya Gary pioneered work in Lesotho in education, literacy, trade schools and AIDS education leading a team of expatriates and nationals in outreach to remote areas. Subsequently, he worked as International Coordinator, mobilizing, training, managing and mentoring teams in extremely remote and harsh settings in many African countries.
Prior to his 18 years in Africa, he served 10 years as Associate Pastor of Christian Education and Youth where he led sizable staff, volunteers and interns as he directed camps and established and managed The Corvallis Youth Center and Son City Outreach.
Most recently, he has served in Peacemaker Ministries as an advocate for youth
and families, volunteered as a Mentor Mediator at Six Rivers Dispute Resolution
Center, and assisted The Next Door Independent Living Program with life skills training, activities, mentoring, and supervision of youth. Gary's financial support is provided by donors through InFaith Ministries, allowing him the freedom to serve the community full-time.
Gary seeks to care for his teams as he would a family, encouraging, challenging, and empowering them to be the best they can be. In this way he models community and family. With God’s help, he aims to do what he can to multiply his vision of serving others to wholeness – physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally. He does this primarily by multiplying himself in the lives of others who catch his vision as they work together to see individuals and families restored.
His outstanding work has gained him national, state, and local recognition. In 2013, Gary was awarded the Shannon Steward Award of Excellence from the Oregon Mediation Association, and the Volunteer of the Year Award from The Next Door. In 2014, Gary received the “Outstanding Volunteer Award” by The National Association for Community Mediation.
Gary founded Youth Empowerment Shelter in 2014, with the help of several like-minded individuals who became the first members of our Board of Directors. He studied at Colorado State University, BS in Wildlife Biology;
Western Seminary, MDiv Christian Education; Trinity Evangelical
Divinity School, work towards D. Min. Gary and Linda will be retiring at the end of August 2020.
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Prior to his 18 years in Africa, he served 10 years as Associate Pastor of Christian Education and Youth where he led sizable staff, volunteers and interns as he directed camps and established and managed The Corvallis Youth Center and Son City Outreach.
Most recently, he has served in Peacemaker Ministries as an advocate for youth
and families, volunteered as a Mentor Mediator at Six Rivers Dispute Resolution
Center, and assisted The Next Door Independent Living Program with life skills training, activities, mentoring, and supervision of youth. Gary's financial support is provided by donors through InFaith Ministries, allowing him the freedom to serve the community full-time.
Gary seeks to care for his teams as he would a family, encouraging, challenging, and empowering them to be the best they can be. In this way he models community and family. With God’s help, he aims to do what he can to multiply his vision of serving others to wholeness – physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally. He does this primarily by multiplying himself in the lives of others who catch his vision as they work together to see individuals and families restored.
His outstanding work has gained him national, state, and local recognition. In 2013, Gary was awarded the Shannon Steward Award of Excellence from the Oregon Mediation Association, and the Volunteer of the Year Award from The Next Door. In 2014, Gary received the “Outstanding Volunteer Award” by The National Association for Community Mediation.
Gary founded Youth Empowerment Shelter in 2014, with the help of several like-minded individuals who became the first members of our Board of Directors. He studied at Colorado State University, BS in Wildlife Biology;
Western Seminary, MDiv Christian Education; Trinity Evangelical
Divinity School, work towards D. Min. Gary and Linda will be retiring at the end of August 2020.
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Lisa Fuller-Trosper - Bookkeeper/Personal Advisor
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Krystal Phillips - Night Supervisor
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Krystal lives in Goldendale, Washington, where she grew up. She holds an associate’s degree in Agribusiness and loves animals. She has spent most of her life working with horses in one way or another, owning, working as a wrangler in Yellowstone and on guest ranches, and showing her Appy at the fair. Krystal worked with Teen Challenge during her time with Bishop Red Rock and Services while on wildland fires. In 2014 Krystal took a position in the T.O.O.L.’s program at Northern Oregon Region Correctional Facility. Krystal’s love for animals has led her to a rescue effort to save horses destined for slaughter. To do this she goes to livestock auctions where horses are being sold and finds homes for ones that might otherwise be sold for meat. She currently owns 6 horses, of which 5 are rescues and showed Dartanyon (pictured) at the local fair. The dog pictured here with Krystal is named Boone, and Krystal was trying to help find a home for him through Home At Last Animal Shelter. Krystal was one of our first staff members, joining us in August 2016. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
Steve Bulger - Personal Life Coach
Hello. I’m Steve Bulger. I grew up in Southern California, attended Bible College in Long Beach, and then in 1973, joined the USAF. I served six years at March AFB in Riverside California as a medic, then in 1978 attended the University of Washington Physician Assistant program. I worked as a PA for thirty five years in Washington, Oregon and finally San Diego California before retiring in 2013. I relocated to the Portland area in 2016 and amongst other areas of volunteering spent three years at Riverside elementary school working with second and third graders through the SMART reading program. I moved to The Dalles in January 2020 to help form a worship team at a new church here. I am now focusing my attention toward teenagers at the YES house and look forward to growing and developing relationships with staff and the teens who live here.
Steve joined Y.E.S. in July 2021
Steve joined Y.E.S. in July 2021
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Karrie Vareberg - House Parent
Karrie was born in Lewiston, Idaho, but has lived all over the United States throughout her life. “Traveling taught me that The Great Northwest is best!." Karrie now lives in The Dalles with her husband Aaron. In their free time, they enjoy being involved in community mentorship programs and in being outdoors together in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.
Karrie has a long history with youth and childcare. She has raised three kids of her own, and now has one grandchild. She has also opened her home to several foster youth, and mentored many teens in crisis over the years. Karrie’s educational background is primarily in behavioral psychology and brain development. Early childhood development is her passion. She directed and supervised large childcare facilities for over a decade, and became a Resident Treatment Specialist working as a para-professional at a 24 hour therapeutic youth treatment facility. Karrie has been a youth group leader, taught Bible study, and been a member of the worship team in her church.
Karrie looks forward to this next chapter working at The Y.E.S. house, and says it feels like a logical step in her life. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in this capacity. Karrie joined us in October, 2019.
Karrie has a long history with youth and childcare. She has raised three kids of her own, and now has one grandchild. She has also opened her home to several foster youth, and mentored many teens in crisis over the years. Karrie’s educational background is primarily in behavioral psychology and brain development. Early childhood development is her passion. She directed and supervised large childcare facilities for over a decade, and became a Resident Treatment Specialist working as a para-professional at a 24 hour therapeutic youth treatment facility. Karrie has been a youth group leader, taught Bible study, and been a member of the worship team in her church.
Karrie looks forward to this next chapter working at The Y.E.S. house, and says it feels like a logical step in her life. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in this capacity. Karrie joined us in October, 2019.
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Fred Blakely - Executive Director
Fred was born and raised in Kentucky, but has considered Oregon her home for nearly 30 years. With a BA in Drama/Dance from Kenyon College, her younger years were full of a wide range of theatrical endeavors from clowning to Shakespeare. Suddenly, there was a big shift in her life as she became a wife and instant mother of 3, then proceeded to have 6 more children. After a decade of domestic engineering, Fred began a career working with children: daycare, teacher’s aid, and director of after school programs. With a sudden closure of the elementary school in Wasco, Fred decided to further her education with an MA in Education from Ashford University. She then taught at Goldendale Christian School, in the classroom and in music. Most recently, before joining the YES team, she was high school teacher and Vice Principal at Sonrise Academy.
It has always been her joy to assist students and families through stimulating open communication, seeking the development of innate gifts and talents in each individual that fosters healthier relationships. It is Fred's perspective is that healthy families make healthy communities.
Other ways Fred has served her community is through leading worship at her church, jail ministry, and as president of The Dalles Aglow Lighthouse. Short term mission trips to Kenya and El Salvador have given Fred a broader appreciation of cultural differences and multiple ways to serve. She is an author and singer/songwriter. When she is not working, writing, or singing, you might find her gardening or practicing karate.
Fred joined the Y.E.S. team in December, 2019.
It has always been her joy to assist students and families through stimulating open communication, seeking the development of innate gifts and talents in each individual that fosters healthier relationships. It is Fred's perspective is that healthy families make healthy communities.
Other ways Fred has served her community is through leading worship at her church, jail ministry, and as president of The Dalles Aglow Lighthouse. Short term mission trips to Kenya and El Salvador have given Fred a broader appreciation of cultural differences and multiple ways to serve. She is an author and singer/songwriter. When she is not working, writing, or singing, you might find her gardening or practicing karate.
Fred joined the Y.E.S. team in December, 2019.
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Position Open- Weekend Youth Advisor/Flex
Want to work with youth, but not on a full time basis? We are looking for a weekend staff member to work during the day (or night!) who is looking for a part time job. Weekend staff members have the best shifts if you like getting out and doing activities with the youth. Contact YES today about an application.
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Lori has always lived in Washington or Oregon. She has lived in Skamania County (west end of the gorge, WA side) for almost 40 years, and this is where she and husband Jack have home schooled their four children.
Lori is trained and experienced in many areas of relational communications, such as nonviolent communication, de-escalation techniques and circle practices, and has a wide range of mediation experience including foreclosure mediation in Washington and Oregon, neighbor, workplace, and juvenile mediations and communication coaching. She has worked with youth and adults in area schools over the past decade, promoting healthy communication, dispute resolution skills and circle practices. She volunteers as a facilitator of restorative dialogues for juvenile offenders in Multnomah County. She has served in various volunteer capacities through Six Rivers Dispute Resolution in Hood River, Resolutions Northwest in Portland, and Lutheran Community Services NW.
Lori has been a student of tai chi for nearly 30 years and is happy to share this wonderful martial art with others.
Lori enjoys growing things to eat and eating things that grow (even though some people call them “weeds”).
Lori has been serving Y.E.S. staff since February 2017.
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- Personal Advisor/ Outreach Coordinator
Would you like to join our staff? We are looking for a full time Personal Advisor/Outreach Coordinator.
Bruno - House Mascot
As House Mascot, Bruno's role is that of volunteer. He started coming to Y.E.S. with staff member Krystal when she started here and has been a youth favorite since. Besides playing with the youth, he lets them cry on him when they are missing their own pets at home. The kids love his nickname, Boo, which he gets called more than his real name. He can usually always find one of them willing to brave the slobber and throw his ball for him.
Bruno joined the Y.E.S. House in August 2016
Bruno joined the Y.E.S. House in August 2016
