Board of Directors – Y.E.S. Youth Empowerment Siskiyou

Board of Directors

President

Christine Cooper | Yreka | Siskiyou Central Credit Union

Christine Cooper is the COO at Siskiyou Credit Union. As such, Christine, ensures that Siskiyou Credit Union’s (SCU) practices are adhered to and strategic plans implemented, and provides members with the best possible products and services. Christine has 23 years of financial institution experience in operations and training, and she coaches and leads staff to meet and exceed membership’s expectations. As part of the executive management team, one of her responsibilities is to ensure the credit union has a strong presence in the community, promoting the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People”. Christine personally believes that every individual should give back to their community in one way or another. She has a passion for children, and because of Youth Empowerment Siskiyou’s (YES) philosophy of advocating for the community’s youth and the belief that every child needs to have an advocate fight for them, she found YES to be a perfect fit.

christine@YESiskiyou.org

Vice President

Denise Wheeler | Mt. Shasta | Nursing

Denise was born and raised in Long Beach, CA, and moved to Mt Shasta in 2001. She is the mother of one son Josh, a stepson, Dillon and grandmother of three: Christian, Noah and Lola. Denise graduated from nursing school at Long Beach City College in 1986 as an LVN and obtained her RN in1989. She has more than 30 years’ experience in nursing. Denise has been employed at Mercy Medical Center, Mount Shasta, on the Med/Surgical Unit since 2006. Denise has a Certificate in Forensic Nursing from Kaplan University, and an Associate Degree in Administration of Justice from College of the Siskiyous. She is trained as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in Adult and Pediatric Sexual Assault, and joined the Siskiyou County Sexual Assault Response Team in 2012. Denise has also been a Lead Instructor at College of the Siskiyous for the Certified Nurse Assistant training program since 2013, and has been a Chief Nurse Representative for the California Nurses Association at Mercy Medical Center since 2008. Denise became a CASA in January 2007, and has been a board member since 2010.

Jennifer Shelton | Yreka | Attorney

Jennifer Shelton is an attorney here in Yreka. She focuses mainly on the areas of trusts & wills, probate, real estate and business formation. She grew up in Siskiyou County and graduated from Yreka High School. She then went on to graduate from Santa Barbara City College in 1996 with an Associates Degree in marine science. She had a flourishing career in marine sciences before becoming an attorney in 2016. She's lived in Maui, co-piloted a submarine and patrolled Channel Islands Harbor!While working at Siskiyou County Superior Court Jennifer went back to school and obtained her J.D. from Northwestern California University School of Law in 2015. A year later she opened her solo practice. She currently live in Weed with her husband and three kids.

Colleen Alvarez | Yreka | Former CASA

Colleen Alvarez was born and raised in Siskiyou County and currently resides on her family's cattle ranch with her two daughters. Colleen has been a leader for youth in Siskiyou County. She has experience as a CASA Advocate, a passion for youth and wants the families we serve to excel. Her recreational time is spent with family, friends, the great outdoors and world travel.