Kellie Dean | Executive Director (she/her)
Kellie comes from the corporate world and has a background in finance. With a degree in accounting and 23 years of experience, her skills are an amazing asset to YES. She brings a spirit of fiduciary responsibility to YES, ensuring that budgets are sounds, grant guidelines are met, and every dollar is maximized to serve the mission.
Kellie is no stranger, however, to the struggles of homelessness, having been homeless with her young son while living in Seattle.
“I never thought I would join the world of non-profit work, but now realize this is where I am meant to be. I have been on the streets myself with my 3 month old son, but I lived in a big city where help was available on almost ever corner. Coming to a rural community has truly opened my eyes to the reality that homelessness is just as big of an issue here as it is in large cities. Now we just need to help others see that homelessness, hunger, and mental illness do exist in tiny towns.”
“Working for a non-profit has really opened my eyes to some issues I was blind to. Working alongside the LGBTQ+ community has been a wonderful addition to my knowledge base. My experience at YES has helped my learn about the importance of grants and grant writing. YES depends heavily on these funding sources keep our doors open for young people in need.”
Sarah Phillips | Grant Administrator (she/her)
Sarah has worked in non-profits as line staff, management and administration, for almost 40 years, serving people who have been systematically marginalized by larger society. Families with children experiencing homelessness; adults living in missions or on the street; people with chronic mental illness; adults and elders with acquired or developmental disabilities; people of color; the LGBTQ community and youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.
Flaviana Stuzman | Office Assistant (she/her)
Flavi has been working at YES every summer since 2021. She helps with tasks around the office as well as advises staff on social media. Flavi is a senior in high school and hopes to be either an adoption specialist or a wedding planner. She hopes to pursue a degree in social work or a degree in communications at George Fox University.
“Being at YES these past few summers has provided me with insight into the specific path of social work I wish to do. It has also shown me that sometimes, even people you know can be facing hardships not known to you.”
Kaileyann Saunders | Advocate (she/her)
Hi everyone! My name is Kaileyann Saunders, but I go by Kailey! My significant other and I have two beautiful girls but hoping to add one more child in the future! We also have two dogs (Max and Atlas) and two cats (Baby and Tiny).
I have lived in Pend Orielle County for almost my entire life until our recent move to Spokane County. Couple things about me: I absolutely love food, my favorite color is black, I’m a gamer, and I love the outdoors! My previous employment was with Pend Oreille County Counseling Services as the Recovery Outreach Navigator. But I am SO excited to start my new journey as an Advocate with Youth Emergency Services!
Scheila (Shay) Ward | Advocate (she/her)
Kyrah Woodford| Advocate (she/her)
Kyrah is 27 years old, and just moved to Newport to start working at YES. She is from the west side of Washington, where she has been a barista since about 17 years of age. Currently, Kyrah is working toward a degree in Psychology and Criminology, and hopes to receive a bachelor’s degree by 2028. In her free time, she enjoys writing, reading, astrology, video games, going to the movies, and spending time with her friends, family, and cat, Edison. Kyrah has an extensive collection of vinyl records that she has been accruing since she was a teenager, as well as a personal library that she is always adding to!
Working with an organization like YES is hugely rewarding and something she has hoped to do for a long time. Getting to help people and do something that she can feel good about is more than just a job; it’s a dream.
Paula Martin | Executive Assistant (she/her)
Paula recently moved to Newport after living a rural lifestyle for 17 years while raising her kids in the Idaho mountains and the Wyoming desert. She was a Navy brat, born on one coast and raised on the other, she loved seeing the different lifestyles people live all over the country. Paula was interviewing for a Board member position when a position opened within the Administrative staff, and after thinking about it for a brief time, she decided that this was a direction her life felt like it needed to move in.
Having extensive work history in customer service and accounting, working for a non-profit to help youth and young adults in need seemed like the perfect opportunity to step in and have an impact on a part of the community that has tugged at her heartstrings since she was a young adult herself.
Nikki Oss | Advocate (she/her)
Nikki is a graduate from Lewis-Clark State College and came to us as an intern. She now has a bachelor’s degree in social work and is an advocate at YES.
Nikki loves animals and has a small hobby farm where she spends a lot of time with her dogs, cat, pig, goats, and chickens.
Nikki has lived experience which gives her insight into the struggles that many people face today. Through these experiences she found a passion for working with vulnerable, at-risk, and underrepresented populations. She has a strong desire to advocate for social justice and honors each individual’s self-determination.
Hailey Walker | Advocate (she/her)
Hailey Walker-Owen recently moved back to Newport after living in Pullman for the last five years. For the last two years, she served as a family advocate and found that it is her passion to help those in need and provide a safe space full of understanding and guidance. She is excited to start this new journey as an Advocate for YES of Pend Oreille County!
Thumbelina | Office Cuddler
Thumbelina is one of the new cuddle bugs in the Drop-in Center. She loves toilet paper, boxes and bags of all kinds. Her particular talent is comforting people who are feeling sad or anxious We are so glad she chose us!
Bagheera | Official Cuddler
Bagheera came to YES with Thumbelina from the Priest River Animal Shelter. He is a loving kitty with a huge purr. He loves rides in the food wagon, laying on shoulders and chasing his toys. He is delightful, funny and smart. Another win for all us at the Center.
Jigme, aka Dianne Pratt | Board Chair (she/her)
Venerable Jigme met Venerable Chodron in 1998 at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center. She took refuge in 1999 and attended Dharma Friendship Foundation in Seattle, where Ven. Chodron was the resident teacher. She moved to the Abbey in 2008 and took śrāmaṇerikā and śikṣamāṇā vows with Ven. Chodron as her preceptor in March 2009. Please see pictures of her ordination. In 2011, along with Ven. Chonyi, she received bhikshuni ordination at Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan.
Before moving to Sravasti Abbey, Ven. Jigme worked as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in private practice in Seattle. In her career as a nurse, she worked in hospitals, clinics and educational settings.
At the Abbey, Ven. Jigme manages the prison outreach program and manages community care for the residents at the Abbey. She facilitates a Non-Violent Communication class and Anagarika Class as well as Sravasti Abbey Friends Education distance learning courses. In addition, she is a photographer, manages IT for the Abbey, and creates graphics.
Thubten Gyatso | Board Member (he/him)
Jeanne (Jani) Gonzalez | Board Member (she/her)
Jani’s info here.
Jana Mueller | Board Member (she/her)
Jana’s info here.