Administrative Staff

Crystal Weseman, M. Ed, Pro Admin
(she/ her)
COO, Interim Program Director

Mindy Elliott, BA
(she/ her)
Program Director (Maternity Leave)

17 Years experience working with at risk youth and families in a therapeutic setting
Certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI)
Certified in QPR Suicide Prevention
Trained in Child Abuse Prevention
Trained in Motivational Interviewing

Sandy Vaughn, BS
(she/ her)
Program Manager

23 years experience working with at risk youth in wilderness and residential programs
Certified in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Certified in Motivational Interviewing
Certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI)
Certified in Preventing Sexual Coercion among Adolescents, Child Abuse Prevention, and Self Defense from the Inside Out (SDIO)

Janice Cummings, BA
(she/ her)
Admissions Director

22 years experience working with at risk youth and families in therapeutic residential settings
Certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention
Certified in QPR Suicide Prevention
Training in Motivational Interviewing
11+ years experience in leading outdoor recreational activities for at risk youth
Trained in Project Adventure Leadership

Clinical Staff

Natalie Mehrens, MC, LPC
(she/ her)
Clinical Director

11 years experience working with teens and families in a variety of therapeutic programs and agencies
Trauma-informed, relational, strength-based therapeutic approach
Trained EMDR therapist
Trained facilitator of wilderness-based rites of passage and other transformative ceremonies
Trained in Intuitive Eating and Body Trust Principles

Wendy Friess, MSW, CSWA
(she/ her)
Therapist

16 years experience working with children and adolescents
12 years experience working with neuro-diverse children
Utilizes a trauma-informed, relational, gender-inclusive, solutions-focused therapeutic approach
Trained Trauma-Focused CBT and DBT facilitator
Created and facilitated curriculums for Independent Living Skills and DBT groups

Alex Freericks, MSW, CSWA
(she/ her)
Therapist

6 years experience working with at-risk youth in wilderness therapy and residential treatment settings
6 years experience guiding and training wilderness guides in Southeast Alaska
10+ years facilitating environmental education with youth and young adults
Trained and Certified in Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI)
Certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI)
Certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
Avid paddler, skier, and all things outdoors.

Colleen Ahlfs, MAT
(she/ her)
Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher

Master of Arts in Teaching: English Language Arts from Oregon State University
Bachelor of Arts in American Studies: English minor from Oregon State University
Oregon Professional Teaching License endorsement in Language Arts grades K-12
Member of the National Education Association
7 years in alternative education
Published author

Traci Worthington, BA/MA
(she/ her)
Special Education Teacher

Bachelor’s Degree in Education
Master’s Degree in Special Education
TSPC Legacy Teaching License in Oregon
25 years of Administration and Teaching Experience
Certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), QPR Suicide Prevention and Trauma-Informed Trainings
Enjoys camping, fishing and paddle boarding.
Mother of four fantastic teenagers.

Jayde Loya
(she/ her)
Art Teacher

Kate Boismenu, BS
(she/ her)
Treatment Coordinator

Francesca Sanfelippo, BS
(she/ her)
Treatment Coordinator

5 years’ experience working with at-risk youth in residential treatment facilities
9 years’ experience working with adolescents in a variety of educational and therapeutic settings
Certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI)
Certified in QPR Suicide Prevention
Certified in Child Abuse Prevention

Annalee Collinson, BS
(she/ her)
Treatment Coordinator & Physical Education Coordinator

Jade Hauser, BS
(she/ her)
Treatment Coordinator

Bonnie A. McMillan
(they/ them)
Activities Coordinator

5 years experience working with at-risk youths in inpatient and outpatient settings
Certified in CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention)
Experience volunteering at youth camps, leading activities and groups
Experience volunteering at Boy & Girls Club of Central Oregon
15+ years customer service experience

Chef David Gonzalez
(he/him)
Food Service Director

7 years of experience in the food industry
4 years of experience in fine dining/ from scratch
4 years of experience working with students and families with the Bend La pine school district as a Spanish interpreter
1 year of experience as a food coordinator with the Bend international school
Currently pursuing a culinary degree through Cascade Culinary institute