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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
Position Open - Personal Life Coach
Want to work with youth and make a difference in their lives? Become a Personal Advisor at YES.
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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
COMING SOON!
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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-
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Heather Benton - Personal Advisor/ Outreach Coordinator
It takes time to make a great bio!
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
