MEET OUR TEAM

SUSIE & STEVE OBERST

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

SUSIE OBERST

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

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.

SKYLER OBERST

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.

TARYN OBERST

TARYN OBERST

FOUNDER/BOARD MEMBER

Taryn is a Marine Corps Veteran and a father of two beautiful girls. Taryn came back from the Marine Corps with PTSD and has much success in working through therapy to get help. He is active in volunteering to mentor other veterans who have similar stories and is a  key player in helping advocate for better access to classes, groups and help for Veterans. His experience has been a driving force for him and our entire team to build our mentorship program for Veterans. It is said that it takes a Veteran to heal another Veteran, and is a great advocate for those who need help. He plans to go back to school to further his education at some point.
Taryn’s hobbies are wakeboarding, water skiing, snowmobiling, basketball, golf, playing his guitar and singing, camping ,fishing, spending time with his family but mostly it is being a daddy to his little girls.
Taryn believes in this family mission and serving others. He says that it is then that you realize that no matter how bad you think you have it or how hard things may be, there is always someone else who is worse off than you.

SHELDON CHERREY

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

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

KERRY FURIMSKY

BOARD MEMBER

Kerry is the owner and agent of my Farmers Insurance Agency located in downtown Vancouver. She was connected with Hope for the Good because the board contacted her for business insurance for their organization a couple of years ago. She also come from a military family and was eager to help and join the board once she knew their mission.
CHRIS HEATH

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.

EVA UNGER

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.

JEFF PERRAULT

JEFF PERRAULT

BOARD MEMBER

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!
KELLE JACKSON-WILBORN

KELLE JACKSON-WILBORN

BOARD MEMBER

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!

AMANDA PORTER

AMANDA PORTER

OFFICE ADMIN ASSISTANT

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

MEET OUR BOARD OF ADVISORS

NOLAN OBERST

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

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

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.

SUZANNE TURNAUER

SUZANNE TURNAUER

EVENT ADVISOR

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.

KALEB KALLAPPA

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.

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