STAFF
Livia Christensen - Executive Director
Livia Christensen joined Y.E.S. as the Executive Director in January 2022. For over a decade, Livia has been an advocate for youth, families, and programs that promote positive development opportunities for youth; especially those with limited support networks or barriers to access.
When she first moved to the Gorge in 2009, Livia started working with The Next Door, first as a volunteer and eventually becoming part of the leadership team, overseeing the Youth Programs Department. Programs included mentoring, culturally specific outreach, transitional housing, life skills, and youth employment. She was thrilled to promote recreational components to programming for at-risk and underserved youth, including snowboarding, outdoor camps, hiking groups, and beach trips. Many youth had never had the opportunity to explore the places around them and through this work she developed a passion for creating programs that improve connections to peers, positive role models, the environment, and their community in a trauma informed way. Livia also found great enjoyment in managing staff and teams, creating inclusive and responsive services, grant writing, working with community partners, and understanding more of the administrative structures that support healthy and thriving non-profits.
Livia has a B.A. in Psychology from Portland State University as well as certifications as a family counselor, Triple P Parenting Facilitator, Safe Care Facilitator, and Adoption and Foster Family Therapy. She has been a family counselor, program manager, treatment specialist, events supervisor, mentor, foster parent, soccer coach, snowboarding instructor, and board member. When not working, she loves going on adventures with her family, gardening, riding her bike, hiking with her dogs, crafting and cooking.
It is through her past work with teens in foster care, that she first became interested in helping develop solutions for houseless youth. She saw the challenges that these youth faced in finding their way to independence as well as the positive impact that the right supports could have in reaching better outcomes. She was one of the founding board members of The Youth Empowerment Shelter in 2014 and is honored to return to the organization in this new role.
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When she first moved to the Gorge in 2009, Livia started working with The Next Door, first as a volunteer and eventually becoming part of the leadership team, overseeing the Youth Programs Department. Programs included mentoring, culturally specific outreach, transitional housing, life skills, and youth employment. She was thrilled to promote recreational components to programming for at-risk and underserved youth, including snowboarding, outdoor camps, hiking groups, and beach trips. Many youth had never had the opportunity to explore the places around them and through this work she developed a passion for creating programs that improve connections to peers, positive role models, the environment, and their community in a trauma informed way. Livia also found great enjoyment in managing staff and teams, creating inclusive and responsive services, grant writing, working with community partners, and understanding more of the administrative structures that support healthy and thriving non-profits.
Livia has a B.A. in Psychology from Portland State University as well as certifications as a family counselor, Triple P Parenting Facilitator, Safe Care Facilitator, and Adoption and Foster Family Therapy. She has been a family counselor, program manager, treatment specialist, events supervisor, mentor, foster parent, soccer coach, snowboarding instructor, and board member. When not working, she loves going on adventures with her family, gardening, riding her bike, hiking with her dogs, crafting and cooking.
It is through her past work with teens in foster care, that she first became interested in helping develop solutions for houseless youth. She saw the challenges that these youth faced in finding their way to independence as well as the positive impact that the right supports could have in reaching better outcomes. She was one of the founding board members of The Youth Empowerment Shelter in 2014 and is honored to return to the organization in this new role.
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Isaiah Snyder - Program Director
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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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
Anne Webber - Outreach Coordinator
Anne joined our team in April 2022, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience. She received her certification and licensure as a substance abuse counselor in 2022. She is currently a CADC II and has been providing treatment services to adults involved in the criminal justice system for 22 years. Through her work, Anne has provided assessments, individual counseling, aftercare services, outpatient treatment and referrals. Anne has continued her education to maintain her license through the Mental Health and Addictions Certification Board of Oregon. Anne identifies that her past experiences have helped set the stage for what she was meant to do in her life. She says, “to me, being a counselor was never a job. It is a calling and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be used as a conduit to help others.” Anne moved from New York to the gorge with her family when she was a young teen in the early 70’s. She comes from a family background of chaos and dysfunction due to untreated alcoholism and suspected mental illness. She shares that she and her siblings lived in a war zone full of fear, guilt, and shame. Anne responded by rebelling, using alcohol and running away at a very early age. When Anne was young there were no services or programs to help youth and her experience took her down a long and difficult path before she eventually decided that she would do whatever it takes to get sober and turn her life around. Anne believes that prevention and early intervention are the key elements in assisting youth with making changes that support a healthy lifestyle. Without these types of services, incarceration becomes the only option and can lead to many other negative consequences. Anne loves that the YES house provides a place for youth to reside in a safe, healthy, secure, and peaceful environment so that they can be empowered with the tools and community resources necessary for them to be successful in life. Anne says, “When I first walked into the YES House, I felt a sense of peace, comfort, and stability. If only there was a place like this when I was a kid.” We are grateful to have Anne on our team.
Anne joined Y.E.S. in April 2022
Anne joined Y.E.S. in April 2022
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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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Sarah Brenner - Personal Advisor/Community Health Worker
Sarah Brenner is a Youth Advisor and Community Health Worker at Y.E.S. Sarah has worked with teenagers and their families in various capacities for the past 10+ years. She is excited to learn new skills and develop her social services experience while continuing to help youth and families in need. Sarah is currently in training to help provide family mediation services and supports for our agency. She is always willing to help out when there is a need and we are so thankful for her organization skills, compassion for others, flexibility in meeting whatever challenge arises, and diligence in connecting our clients and community members with the resources they need to be successful. Sarah has lived in the Pacific Northwest for most of her life and she finds great satisfaction in being an active part of her community here in the gorge where she lives with her family. Sarah enjoys hiking, yoga, art, books and comedies. Sarah has embraced her role as a community health worker for our partnership with the Bridges to Health Pathways Program and we are tremendously grateful to have her on our team.
Sarah joined Y.E.S. in December 2021
Sarah joined Y.E.S. in December 2021
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Lisa Fuller-Trosper, Bookkeeper/Personal Advisor
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Lisa had joined the YES House filling the position vacated by Kathy Heitkemper. She has some big shoes to fill! Lisa has experience with QuickBooks, technology, and of course helping youths. She lives in The Dalles, Oregon with her husband and two daughters, along with a menagerie of pets. She has a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and an associate’s in Criminal Justice. While working at Google she was introduced to the YES House’s mission and decided to join the team. She has always had a desire to help youths. She is excited to be able to work with two of her passions, youth and technology. The greatest gift is seeing the youths learn and grow to develop into their own person.
Lisa joined our staff in July 2020. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
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Marhia Peterson- Night Attendant
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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Jesse Helms- Personal Advisor
Jesse joined Y.E.S. in March 2022 as one of our Youth Advisors. Originally from Florida and later living in Idaho, Jesse ended up moving to Oregon in 2020 when he married his amazing wife. Since then, he has enjoyed getting to know new people and the community, growing his circle of friends, and finding support from his family, church community, and the Y.E.S. team. Jesse is excited about the growth opportunities that working at Y.E.S. will bring. He has a strong desire to impact his community in powerful and long-lasting ways. He feels there is no better way than building relationships with youth so that they can find success and freedom from their struggles. Jesse is currently attending school with the plan to attain a bachelor’s degree in Psychology as the first step towards a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. Jesse says that “building up families and youth in our community is precisely what Y.E.S. and I stand for. Therefore, it is a privilege to be part of a team that works entirely toward that cause.”
Jesse joined Y.E.S. in March 2022
Jesse joined Y.E.S. in March 2022 as one of our Youth Advisors. Originally from Florida and later living in Idaho, Jesse ended up moving to Oregon in 2020 when he married his amazing wife. Since then, he has enjoyed getting to know new people and the community, growing his circle of friends, and finding support from his family, church community, and the Y.E.S. team. Jesse is excited about the growth opportunities that working at Y.E.S. will bring. He has a strong desire to impact his community in powerful and long-lasting ways. He feels there is no better way than building relationships with youth so that they can find success and freedom from their struggles. Jesse is currently attending school with the plan to attain a bachelor’s degree in Psychology as the first step towards a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. Jesse says that “building up families and youth in our community is precisely what Y.E.S. and I stand for. Therefore, it is a privilege to be part of a team that works entirely toward that cause.”
Jesse joined Y.E.S. in March 2022
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Heather Benton - Personal Advisor
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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
