
MEET OUR TEAM

Susie & Steve Oberst
Founders
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.
MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS

SKYLER OBERST
PRESIDENT
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.

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.

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.
He also has been battling complex cancer, He always does it with a great attitude and heart that inspires so many. Steve has been asked by the cancer facility to mentor and connect with others who have been given a scary diagnosis. Whether it is cancer or something else, he is one who will never focus or make it be about him, he makes it be about the people around them and how he can brighten their day or lighten their load.
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
FOUNDER/BOARD MEMBER

SHELDON CHERREY
TREASURER
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.

KARIN LAVALLA
BOARD MEMBER
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.

KERRY FURIMSKY
BOARD MEMBER

CHRIS HEATH
BOARD MEMBER
My name is Chris Heath and I’ve been involved with sports since I was a kid. I started playing basketball when I was in 3d grade and never looked backed and my life was forever changed. I continued my basketball career playing both in High school and in college.
My passion for this sport and seeing first hand how sports can teach you life sessions such as hard work and determination, led me to start QuickStarts Sports. The goal of my company is to teach kids the basic skills of sports so they have a solid foundation where they build their skills.
I’ve also expanded my business to include personal training of adults or kids helping them reach their sports and/or fitness goals.
In addition to managing this company, I became a very active member in my community. I was the assistant girls basketball coach for the high school and have volunteered my time at numerous community events.
I’ve always had a passion for helping others in anyway I can and helping others see their true potential of what they can do.

SUZANNE TURNAUER
BOARD MEMBER
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 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.

EVA UNGER
BOARD MEMBER
Eva’s passion is working with children who have had and are still experiencing complex trauma in their lives. She has been an educator for almost 30 years as a teacher, a district administrator, and a building administrator. Most of her work has been at buildings known for having a large at-risk population.

JANA HUFFMAN
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Jana has volunteered most of her life and has a heart for serving others. She has volunteered for sports clubs, community arts centers, and outdoor camps for at-risk youth. Her background is in the nonprofit sector as an Executive Assistant. Over the last few years, she has focused her energy on education and recently acquired her Associates in Applied Science, Business Administration, and Supervisory Management from Clark College.
Jana believes that our job is to set an example for future generations, that we are never too old to learn something new, and that many hands make light work. She has put those ideas to use by coordinating projects, events, and recruiting volunteers of all age groups. She believes in HOPE for the Good, the people involved, supporting her community, and strives to live up to the mission of helping one person every day.
MEET OUR BOARD OF ADVISORS

NOLAN OBERST
FOUNDER/ EVENT CHAIR
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!

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.

CONNAR OBERST
FOUNDER/ 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.

KALEB KALLAPPA
EVENT ADVISOR
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.
WANT TO POTENTIALLY BECOME A PART OF OUR STAFF?
Volenteer today and become a member of our staff in the future.