Who We Are

Staff
Board of Directors
Shelter Staff

Barbra Risling, Executive Director

Barbra@YESiskiyou.org

I am a member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe as well as a Descendant of the Karuk and Yurok Tribes. I was born in Humboldt County but was brought up in the northern parts of Siskiyou. I have worked in the Human Services field for a little over five years now. My career in this field began with the Karuk Tribe's Indian Child Welfare Program as a Social Worker Assistant. That position fueled my passion for social work and I've continued on this path since then.

I joined Youth Empowerment Siskiyou's team in May 2021. I love the collaboration that happens here between co workers and volunteers to empower families in our community.  I am excited to continue building services with our amazing crew!

Ashley Lemos, CASA Program Manager

Ashley@YESiskiyou.org 

Ashley has worked in human services for over three years. She joined Youth Empowerment Siskiyou to make a difference in the lives of youth here in our community. She grew up in Siskiyou County and enjoys fly fishing, time with family, and making those around her laugh. She is currently working on obtaining her degree in Social Work with the intention of furthering her professional goals in helping individuals affected by trauma.

Amanee Pitts, Supervised Visitation Program Manager

Amanee@YESiskiyou.org

As a wanderer with her heart rooted in love and community, Amanee has journeyed from the vibrant streets of San Francisco to the soulful beats of Atlanta, ultimately making Siskiyou County her home. As a newcomer to human services, Amanee has discovered how rewarding it is to make a positive impact on others' lives. With family by her side, she strives to create a nurturing and compassionate environment for everyone around her. Amanee joined Youth Empowerment Siskiyou's team in November of 2022 and she couldn't be more excited for what the future holds!

Ryan Romero, Shelter Coordinator

Ryan@YESiskiyou.org

Ryan has been a resident of Siskiyou County since childhood. As a foster child, who was later raised by his grandparents, he has firsthand experience with the effects of family separation.

Ryan pursued higher education at both the College of the Siskiyous and Southern Oregon University, earning a Bachelor's of Science Degree in History. Serving as a substitute teacher, he has worked with students of all ages, from Kindergarten to 12th grade, at various schools across the county.

His primary focus at the shelter is to help residents access education and employment opportunities. Ryan's mission is to empower young individuals by equipping them with essential life skills they may not have had the opportunity to acquire elsewhere, enabling them to thrive in this rural community.

In his free time, Ryan is passionate about conserving old books, hiking, and he enjoys indulging in the study of botany.

Paige Boswell, Youth Advisor

Paige@YESiskiyou.org

As the Youth Coordinator, Paige is dedicated to empowering youth to see the possibilities available to them and to acknowledge that past traumas do not have to determine their future legacy.

Paige first engaged with Youth Empowerment Siskiyou (Y.E.S.) as a foster youth when she began attending the yearly summer camp and had a CASA worker of her own. Her deep understanding, knowledge, and experience as a foster youth have helped shape her commitment to help people in the same way that people have helped her. As a Y.E.S. Camp attendee for five years and a camp counselor for two years, she knows the importance of how these experiences can impact and transform someone’s life.

Paige is instrumental in creating youth opportunities in our community and helping youth advocate for what they want to see in the community to make it the best place possible for them.

As a current high school student, she is taking an Education course to better understand childhood development and how trauma affects youth in their early stages of life. Paige knows this knowledge will help her continue to grow and enhance her ability to serve youth in the most supportive and compassionate way.

As the youngest staff member, she loves being able to hang out with the kids and provide them with lasting, happy memories they can hold onto when they are going through difficult situations. You can’t miss her positive attitude, infectious smile, and energy!"

August Siren, Outreach Coordinator

August@YESiskiyou.org

August has joined our mission to advocate for and raise awareness about the various issues affecting the youth of Siskiyou County. Her commitment to this cause is deeply rooted in her upbringing, where the powerful influences of Punk and Metal music shaped her perspective on the importance of community and social justice. These genres, known for their rebellious spirit and dedication to standing up for the marginalized, instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. 

Originally from Texas, August brings a unique blend of Southern resilience and West Coast progressivism, having recently moved to us from Oregon. This journey has not only broadened her worldview but has also reinforced her commitment to fighting for the rights of young people in our community. With her vibrant Punk ethos, she is not afraid to challenge the status quo and speak out against injustices. 

August is determined to use her voice and her platform to shine a light on the pressing issues facing our youth—issues like mental health, access to education, and the need for safe spaces where they can express themselves freely. Her unwavering passion and fierce dedication make her an invaluable asset to our team, and we are excited to see the impact she will have in Siskiyou County.

Jessica Reynolds, CASA Advocacy Coordinator

Jessica@YESiskiyou.org

My name is Jessica Reynolds and I am the CASA Advocacy Coordinator at Youth Empowerment Siskiyou, where I have been dedicated to advocating for youth on and off for the past three years. I’ve served as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for four years, driven by a deep commitment to giving children a voice. Growing up without anyone to advocate for me, I often felt unheard, which is why I am passionate about ensuring that no child feels the same way.

At CASA, I work tirelessly to ensure that every child, whether in dependency court or juvenile probation, has a dedicated advocate to stand by them. My goal is to expand our reach and make sure every child in need has someone to champion their rights and well-being. I look forward to continuing my journey of empowering the voices of children and their families, one case at a time.

Trish Perry, Deputy Director

Trish@YESiskiyou.org

Trish brings a lifetime of experience as a jack-of-all-trades to her role as Operations Manager within the agency. She has achieved success in various positions, including serving as an operations manager for a manufacturing and retail store, working as a bookkeeper, foreperson, and finish carpenter for multiple construction companies, and as a teacher for young individuals dealing with trauma and disabilities.

Trish is a dedicated advocate for the LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Neurodivergent communities, and she thrives when collaborating with individuals who also have a heart for youth.

In her personal time, she embraces outdoor activities in nature, spending time with her family, being amused by her pets, and  channels her creativity through pursuits like quilting, drawing, crocheting, and engaging in DIY construction projects.

 


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

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.

Lauren Sitter - Shelter Staff

Lauren@YESiskiyou.org

Lauren is one of our Shelter Staff team members and is looking forward to using her background as a collegiate student advisor, lead camp counselor, and nature center educator to enhance the lives of youth experiencing homelessness.

She has achieved a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Equine Science and a Minor in Creative Writing. She finds that creative outlets, introspective activities, community support, and play are excellent ways to develop emotional maturity and guide ourselves towards our goals.

Lauren enjoys spending time in nature, learning about languages and cultures, playing music, and taking her dog for car rides. She’s particularly passionate about uplifting the LGBTQIA+ community and helping youth embrace their unique personalities and skills.

Lonata Kaufman - Shelter Staff

Lonata@YESiskiyou.org

Lonata is a dedicated and compassionate professional with a diverse background encompassing childcare, mental health support, and outdoor adventure. She grew-up in Crescent City, California, and later moved to South Lake Tahoe where she started a family and raised two kids. She has worked various jobs, but found her true passion in caregiving.

Lonata’s caregiving experiences mostly include working in childcare, babysitting, and preschool support, but she has also volunteered in youth sports programs for over 12 years. Her true passion involves creating safe and nurturing environments for children to flourish.

Lonata's life journey has also exposed her to the challenges of mental health, both through her work as a Certified Nurse Assistant in a mental health hospital and her personal experiences. She advocates for understanding, empathy, and awareness in supporting individuals facing mental health issues.

Lonata's personal growth journey includes a deepening connection to her Native American heritage and nature. She finds sanctuary in spending time outdoors which is reflected in her love for activities such as hiking, swimming, biking, and kayaking.

Lonata combines a free-spirited "hippie" mindset with a resilient "hood" spirit to inspire her mission of promoting kindness, understanding, and unity among all people. Life may be challenging, but Lonata believes in making it easier for one another.

Contact Us


Location

Address:
Y.E.S. Youth Empowerment Siskiyou
P.O. Box 1337 Yreka, CA 96097

Phone:
(530) 841-0844 

© COPYRIGHT 2024 Y.E.S. Youth Empowerment Siskiyou
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram