STAFF
Gary Casady - Executive Director
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 studied at Colorado State University, BS in Wildlife Biology;
Western Seminary, MDiv Christian Education; Trinity Evangelical
Divinity School, work towards D. Min.
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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 studied at Colorado State University, BS in Wildlife Biology;
Western Seminary, MDiv Christian Education; Trinity Evangelical
Divinity School, work towards D. Min.
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Jensie Bryan - Program Director, Youth and Family Counselor
Jensie has dedicated over 20 years to serving youth and families through her research, education, training, and experience. She has worked as a therapist in a variety of settings, including a juvenile girl’s home, crisis center, mental health institution, and university. It has been her passion to understand human relationships within a greater context. As a result of her experience and research, she has co-authored several articles and books in the field of philosophy and psychoanalysis, and has spent the past 5 years working with at-risk youth and families in crisis.
Jensie comments: "Family is at the very core of our being; it plays an essential role in who we are and who we become. Many families encounter very painful circumstances that can feel overwhelming without adequate resources, alternative options, and people they can trust. Learning to cope productively, resolve conflict, and heal from wounds is crucial to our growth and development, both as individuals and as a community. The Youth Empowerment Shelter is an ideal place to work toward a common vision of peace, hope, support, and resiliency. Together we learn, and find solace in knowing that our challenges are more easily surmountable when we have a safe place to go with people who truly care and are sincerely committed to our personal well-being."
Jensie studied at Portland State University and University of Portland; Master’s Degree in Counseling; Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Philosophy.
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Jensie comments: "Family is at the very core of our being; it plays an essential role in who we are and who we become. Many families encounter very painful circumstances that can feel overwhelming without adequate resources, alternative options, and people they can trust. Learning to cope productively, resolve conflict, and heal from wounds is crucial to our growth and development, both as individuals and as a community. The Youth Empowerment Shelter is an ideal place to work toward a common vision of peace, hope, support, and resiliency. Together we learn, and find solace in knowing that our challenges are more easily surmountable when we have a safe place to go with people who truly care and are sincerely committed to our personal well-being."
Jensie studied at Portland State University and University of Portland; Master’s Degree in Counseling; Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Philosophy.
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Kathy Heitkemper - Bookkeeper
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Henry Kelly - Daytime House Parent
Henry was born and raised in The Dalles Oregon. He was a wheat farmer from 1979 through 1999. He has been a member of Wasco County Youth Services Committee, a Petersburg School board member, treasurer of the Columbia Rural Fire Protection District, volunteer coach for Wasco County Parks and Rec.
Henry worked for almost eleven years as a child counselor at Mid-Columbia Child and Family Center, a psychiatric day treatment center for emotionally troubled children. After the center closed Henry went to work in the T.O.O.L.S. (Taking Ownership of Life Skills) Program as a Group Life Coordinator in a residential Program for youth who are in the care and custody of Oregon Youth Authority.
Henry Likes family time, cribbage, Ping-Pong, gardening, biking, the great outdoors.
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Henry was born and raised in The Dalles Oregon. He was a wheat farmer from 1979 through 1999. He has been a member of Wasco County Youth Services Committee, a Petersburg School board member, treasurer of the Columbia Rural Fire Protection District, volunteer coach for Wasco County Parks and Rec.
Henry worked for almost eleven years as a child counselor at Mid-Columbia Child and Family Center, a psychiatric day treatment center for emotionally troubled children. After the center closed Henry went to work in the T.O.O.L.S. (Taking Ownership of Life Skills) Program as a Group Life Coordinator in a residential Program for youth who are in the care and custody of Oregon Youth Authority.
Henry Likes family time, cribbage, Ping-Pong, gardening, biking, the great outdoors.
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Krystal Phillips - Night AttendantKrystal 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, training, wrangling, showing, or managing on ranches and work crews, including working with them with Teen Challenge. 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 destruction. 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 seven horses which she trains and shows at local fairs and events. The dog pictured here with Krystal is named Boone, and Krystal was trying to help find a home for him. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
Lori Loranger - Personal Advisor
Lori Loranger has lived in Skamania county (Washington side of the Gorge) for 36 years, where she and her husband homeschooled 4 children. Lori co-founded the Network of Vancouver Area Homeschoolers way back in the early '90's, which is still an active support group- now called ACE (autodidact community).
In 2010, Lori completed mediation training through Six Rivers Community Mediation in Hood River. She has over 250 hours of mediation experience in a large variety of cases – including neighbor to neighbor, landlord-tenant, workplace, foreclosure, family and juvenile mediations, communication coaching and facilitating restorative dialogues.
Lori has been studying, practicing, and teaching Non-violent/Compassionate communication (NVC) for 15 years, and has been practicing tai chi for 25 years.
Lori is also a poet and has shared her poetry at a monthly open mic over the past 13 years.
She enjoys gardening and foraging for delicious and useful wild plants.
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Harley Parkki - Personal Advisor
Harley grew up in Hood River where she attended Hood River Valley High School and Baptist Christian School. She now lives in Sherman County with her 4 sons. Before joining the Y.E.S. team, Harley provided therapeutic foster care for ten years through Greater Oregon Behavioral Health and The Next Door and worked for ColumbiaCare Services Mental Health Treatment facility in the Dalles.
Harley's training in mental health care includes Trauma Informed Care, Suicide Intervention training, Sanctuary training, “Anger Pie” Anger Management and GOBHI's three day training.
While she enjoys being a Mom, scrapbooking and water sports like tubing and kneeboarding, Harley's favorite thing to do is serving her community, giving back, and making a positive difference.
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Marhia Peterson - Night Attendant
Marhia was born and raised in Hood River, OR. She has worked in childcare and home care for seniors since high school. After high school she moved to eastern Oregon. She spent four years working for the Hermiston School district before moving back to the Gorge. After working various temp jobs she decided to go back to her roots and obtain her Certified Nursing Assistant License. Marhia currently does home caregiving and childcare during the week and is the Weekend Night Attendant at Y.E.S.
Some of Marhia's interests outside of work include reading, writing, discovering new music, hiking and most of all, spending time with her beautiful little family.
Some of Marhia's interests outside of work include reading, writing, discovering new music, hiking and most of all, spending time with her beautiful little family.
