Steve and Susie Oberst have been involved in community building projects, in Washington state, for over thirty years. With a background in non-profit management and a passion for youth empowerment through sports, they decided to start an organization with their four sons that offers opportunities to learn life skills on and off the courts. They spend their time staying active by chasing their grandchildren and dogs around the state.

Steve and Susie.jpeg

Founders Steve & Susie Oberst

MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS

PRESIDENT

BIO to come!

BILL VICTOR

VICE PRESIDENT

Troy is a lifetime resident of Vancouver, WA. He has been married for 35 years and has two adult children. He has over 30 years experience in management and sales with a focus in retail business consulting including: ownership/leadership support, strategic initiative identification, long term planning, process execution and implementation. The Scott family has been helping serve others with the Oberst family for over a decade. Troy says he is involved with H.O.P.E. for the Good “because of the passion they have for helping others and even when struggles are all around us, this group continues to help and care for those in need”.

TROY SCOTT

SECRETARY

Laurana is a barber by trade, going on 10 years, and runs her own chair out of a family owned barbershop in Vancouver, WA. She joined H.O.P.E.’s board in 2023 but has been volunteering with the Oberst family and other organizations for 15 years. Her passion lies in teaching her trade, being a resource in any way she can, and serving others: especially children and those with disabilities. In her freetime you can find her going on roadtrips and singing at the top of her lungs.

LAURANA TUBBS

TREASURER

I am currently an Entrepreneur! I have 10 plus years in Accounting and Audit and artistic. Graduated a few years back (not going to tell my age because I’m young) with both a bachelor’s in accounting and a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance Management with a concentration in Fraud Examination. Needless to say, I am a numbers girl that likes to research. Recently became a licensed life insurance agent. I believe you should learn as much as you can all the time. My background also consists of working and running non-profit organizations from the church to youth sports to healthcare advocacy organizations. My goal is to make sure that I am the best version of myself at all times. I am continuously growing and learning more and more about me. The biggest achievements in my life is being a mother of three and being the best wife for my husband. The good thing is all my kids are all into different types of sports and I get to LEARN! You will find in the stands being the loudest parent rooting for her kid! One fun fact about me is that I plan to one day go storm chasing! I love storms and tend to stand outside analyzing the clouds! Overall, I am just a loving person who loves to see people grow and reach their goals and help in any way that I can!

KELLE WILBORN-JACKSON

A sought-after public speaker and community influencer, Skyler has been invited to gatherings like the G20 Interfaith Forum and at the White House, presenting on topics ranging from the next generation of interfaith leadership to the power of interfaith work for young people and intergenerational community building.

Skyler has served on several boards and commissions, helping elected officials craft public policy concerning faith communities, and community leaders on matters of faith engagement. He has served on the formation boards of non-profit organizations, and is credited with overhauling the Spokane Interfaith Council for a new generation.

SKYLER OBERST

Sheldon grew up in Vancouver, WA, and graduated from Hudson’s Bay High School. He then served in the Navy for 23 years, on 7 ships! While Sheldon was deployed overseas, he participated in several community relations projects, which started his path of giving back to his community.

His kids have all done various youth sports, and he did some coaching. Seeing the impact sports has on kids led him to get involved with HOPE. He believes in honesty, openness, and integrity, especially for a non-profit foundation.

SHELDON CHERREY

Kaleb has been involved in wheelchair sports most of his life. He particularly likes competitive sports, including track, swimming, and basketball. In college, he trained to become a Paralympian. Having endured a setback after qualifying for the Boston marathon, Kaleb continued his education and receive his AAS in criminal justice through Portland Community College. He was able to work with Clark County Juvenile Center in an internship and found a passion for working with kids. In 2016 Kaleb become a volunteer Young Life leader in East Clark County. Hanging out with high school kids, providing them with a fun safe place to hang out, and escape the pressures of the world around them.

Born to parents who are both Native American, Kaleb has a strong involvement with his Native American culture. He still enjoys working out though. His sports now include sled hockey, fishing, hunting, a wide variety of movies and tv series, being out in nature, community service, video gaming, singing his tribe’s Native songs, with some interest in wood carving.

KALEB KALLAPPA

Nolan Oberst studied Fire Science at Lower Columbia College, in Longview, WA. He went back to school to get his EMT and Paramedic certifications and plans to be a Structural Firefighter/ Paramedic. He has worked several seasons as a wildland firefighter and spent 17 weeks during 2020 working across the country assisting in the battle of Covid 19.

He is inspiring, and always in the service of others. Nolan is a huge help in the care of his dad. His hobbies are sports, outdoors, snow camping, boating, and his family. He puts the fun in “Funcle” and takes pride when people say he is just Like his dad!

NOLAN OBERST

Karin is a mom to two young men and Nana to three wonderful grandsons, who are her world! She has worked in social services for over twenty years, primarily serving low-income families & individuals, survivors of domestic violence, individuals in recovery, and those seeking a new and more positive way to live their lives.

Karin says, “People are my passion, and that has brought me to HOPE For the Good. I believe in a hand-up, not a handout, and making an investment in those around me. The beach is my happy place where I can allow my soul to be rejuvenated and can recenter in this big world. While I may be one person, I can make big changes by taking small steps, Helping One Person Everyday."

KARIN LAVALLA

My passion is working with children who have had and are experiencing complex trauma in their lives. I have been an educator for almost 30 years as a teacher, a district administrator, and a building administrator. Most of my work has been at buildings known for having a large at-risk population.

I retired six years ago but have not quit working. I have worked 1-2 days a week, as a guest principal, for the last several years. We serve students in approximately six districts who are unsuccessful in a general education setting.

I was fortunate to adopt both my children as a single parent. Chelsea has been the FCRC at Hudson’s Bay for eight years. This year, she is entering a Master’s program in Social Justice and Welfare. Marissa, my other daughter, is a paraprofessional in a behavior class for children 5-8. Both my girls have the same desire to serve the underserved as I have.

EVA UNGER

Kerry is a local commercial insurance agent and has been an agency owner for 13 years. She has been a board member since 2021. She comes from a military family and has a passion for supporting and helping veterans. Kerry is married and has 5 children.

In her free time, Kerry is a yoga teacher and a long-distance runner.

KERRY FURIMSKY

Jeff is currently a professor at Warner Pacific University heading the Sports and Recreation Management programs. He is also a trainer for the Positive Coaching Alliance (Portland Chapter) since 2017. Jeff has also coached basketball at the youth, high school, college and professional levels for the past 23 years. He grew up an Army brat (father 20 year career) and then after graduating from the University of Montana and its ROTC program he to served as an Infantry officer for five years, which in turn became an improbable and powerful opportunity to develop leadership, managerial and life skills. Education is a powerful tool so he decided to pursue his Masters degree at Azusa Pacific University. When not teaching, coaching or training Jeff can be found in his 1990 VW “Westy” camper van touring the PNW, playing guitar, building campfires and admiring the stars and vast universe we live in.

In the words of Andy Dufresne in his letter to “Red” in the movie Shawshank Redemption, “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies”. Like this organizations mission, I too want to empower individuals to understand the power of their choices not only for themselves but for those around them. If we all just Helped, One, Person, Everyday, just one, our world, country, towns and own lives would be enriched beyond our belief. Never lose HOPE, and never give up!

JEFF PERRAULT

Hey y’all! Daphne here. I work as the SW Washington Business Development Officer at iQ Credit Union and celebrated my 10th year at iQ this past September. Okay, that’s enough business talk, lets dive into some fun facts about me! I am a huge wine-o so you can find me at our beautiful Vancouver waterfront enjoying many of the fabulous tasting rooms. I have a 4-year-old mini-Aussie named, Autumn and she is my entire world. I also get the travel bug frequently so you can count on me always planning my next adventure. Something I’m very passionate about is spreading awareness for people living with invisible diseases. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2016 and it has been life altering, challenging, frustrating, liberating and extremely rewarding. Well, that’s all for now! I am looking forward to connecting more with all of you in this amazing community!

DAPHNE GIRARD

Bio to come!.

Nicole Veehill

MEET OUR BOARD OF ADVISORS

  • CONNAR OBERST

    EVENT ADVISOR

    Connar attended Concordia University on a basketball scholarship. Connar continued his education to become a Lineman and is working his way through the Lineman Apprentice Program. Connar had cancer as a child and overcame many health challenges. He was often asked to speak at events and programs about how he overcame his challenges and has fought hard to live out his dream. He believes Hope for the Good encompasses the values he has been taught.

    “You really never know how a simple smile or conversation with someone could change someone’s day. Through sports or other healthy activities, life lessons can teach and instill, values, confidence, the ability to learn, develop healthy relationships, and a work ethic you may never have the opportunity to learn anywhere else. Everyone should have those opportunities available to them, regardless of where they come from, or their ability to pay. It can be their safe place… their saving grace.”

  • STEVE OBERST

    COFOUNDER/ SCHOLARSHIPS

    Steve spent the past 32 years coaching sports. He has been a much sought-after coach and has had his coaching philosophy used in many sports and mentoring programs across the state of Washington.

    Steve’s service just isn’t in the field of coaching sports. He has been a youth mentor for kids who may be at risk of joining gangs or just coming out of gangs. He has played Santa Claus holiday parties for low-income and homeless families and individuals for many years in Clark County. He has delivered meals for Meals on Wheels and built wheelchair ramps for people who have recently become paralyzed teens and adults.

  • TARYN OBERST

    VETERAN SERVICES & EVENTS

    A Marine Corps Veteran and a father of two beautiful girls, Taryn works as an Engineer tech and is planning to return to school to further his education. Taryn’s hobbies are wakeboarding, snowmobiling, basketball, golf, playing guitar, being a daddy to his two girls, and spending time with family.

    He says he doesn’t remember a time when his family wasn’t doing a volunteering project. Taryn says he believes in this family mission and serving others. He says because it is then that you realize no matter how bad you think you may have it or how hard things may be for you, there is always someone else who is worse off than you.

    Taryn is already starting to pass the torch to his girls by teaching them to volunteer and serve, even at their young age.

  • ZACH BARJONA

    EVENT ADVISOR

    Ziggy Barjona has been involved with youth sports for more than 30 years as a teacher, coach, mentor, and leader. He is a graduate of Corban University with a degree in Business, where he was a National Christian College Athletic Association All-American basketball player.

    Multi-faceted is a term that defines Ziggy, with 20 years in the record industry, 15 years in social service, and 30+ years as a coach. His former athletes have gone on to careers in the NBA and WNBA. Ziggy was inducted into the New England Hall of Fame and honored with the Pathfinders Award for his social and community contributions off the court helping youth.

  • SUZANNE TURNAUER

    Suzanne Turnauer has spent the last 20 years working with several local non-profits, focusing on event planning and fundraising. She joined the HOPE board of advisors to help fill a gap she has seen in the area of low-income families and sports/activities funding. As a mother of 2 college students, she witnessed firsthand when families were unable to pay the fees necessary for participating in school and community activities. Suzanne, and her husband Mike, are celebrating 30 years of marriage this fall.

  • GUNNAR WAHL

    EVENT ADVISOR

    Hey, I’m Gunnar Wahl! I’m new on the board here, but I’ve been doing charity and volunteer work with the Obersts for over 10 years since high school. I went to Columbia River High School and instantly became the best of friends with their entire family, and recently decided to continue and expand my volunteer work with them with Hoops for H.O.P.E.

    I initially started volunteering for Hoops on the River in 2009, and also assisted with Thanksgiving turkey feeds, chili feeds, galas, and many more fundraisers through the years. I’m now living in Seattle, WA working full time in the medical field as a sales rep. I feel very thankful and appreciative to be able to continue my charitable work through Hoops for H.O.P.E. and look forward to many more years to come.

MEET OUR STAFF

  • SUSIE OBERST

    DIRECTOR/COFOUNDER

    Susie worked in the Clark County area for almost 20 years in social services. She worked as a Family Service Center Director and as the Director of Volunteers, and Community Resources. She worked hard in developing programs for youth, and families, as well as, helped in creating a mentoring program for adults living in transitional housing. Susie resigned from her dream job to oversee the complex care and treatment regime for Steve full time.

    Susie also volunteers to assist with other nonprofits such as Clark County Foodbank, All Heart Infusion, Friends of Doernbecher, YWCA, and many more.

  • AMANDA PORTER

    OFFICE ADMIN

    Amanda’s main focus has been on raising her young kids and holding down the fort while her husband works long hours. She has been actively involved with law enforcement events as well as serving her homeschool co-op community. Coming from 10+ years experience in the medical field, she is excited for a new way to serve others and looking forward to what she can bring to the organization.

    Why did Amanda want to join H.O.P.E for the good? “As vulnerable as this may be, I grew up playing sports very few times due to financial hardship. I remember being in high school and being angry that I couldn’t do more than one season of track especially as I had worked hard on improving myself. I always felt like I had missed out. As an adult, I’ve played on an indoor soccer team and it was so fun. I’ve also coached on my daughter’s sport team for one season as they had no coaches.. of course, I had NO experience playing or coaching but it was a great experience. I believe sports and youth involvement is so important especially when it comes to learning life skills."

    “Just be kind, you never know what someone else may be going through.” - Unknown

OUR TEAM SAYS…

 

“The best way to make a difference in our community is to start with getting involved and serving others. We all have gifts that are unique and needed in this work. Making a difference starts with you!”

— Skyler Oberst

 

Taryn believes in his family mission and being in the service of others.

“ It is then that you realize, no matter how bad you think you may have it or how hard things may be for you, there is always someone else that has it harder and worse off than you.”

— Taryn Oberst

 

“If you want to change the world, start by changing one person’s world.”

-Nolan Oberst

“You really never know how a simple smile or conversation with someone could change someone’s day.”

— Connar Oberst

 

“People are my passion and that is what has brought me to H.O.P.E. For the Good. I believe in a hand-up, not a handout, and making an investment in those around me.”

— Karin LaValla

 

“Life is not easy, keep learning and be positive. I believe in honesty, openness and integrity. H.O.P.E. has those traits.”

-Sheldon Cherrey