Meet The Team

Lester, an accomplished executive director, has dedicated his career to youth development, leadership, and supporting adult reentry. His extensive experience includes serving on the Vancouver Police Department's Diversity Board and Community Action Team, where he actively promotes inclusivity and community engagement. Lester also plays a pivotal role as a board member for the Clark County Juvenile Courts HELPS task force, working to create a positive impact on juvenile justice systems.

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His commitment extends to the Fourth Plain for All Investment Strategy Committee, where he contributes valuable insights to community development initiatives. Additionally, Lester serves as an advisor for the Probation and Youth Justice System Review Project, leveraging his expertise to drive meaningful reforms.

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As a board member of the Washington Innocence Project, Lester advocates for justice and fairness in the legal system, drawing from his personal experience of serving nine years of a 24-year prison sentence before being exonerated with the help of Innocence Project Northwest.

Beyond his professional achievements, Lester's dedication to his roles as a husband, father, and friend underscores his passion for nurturing relationships and fostering community connections. His involvement as a varsity basketball coach at Evergreen High School for three years demonstrates his commitment to empowering young individuals both on and off the court.

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Having experienced the transformative power of love, peace, and acceptance during his time away from loved ones, Lester is driven to share his newfound knowledge, wisdom, and understanding with others in his community. With a focus on healing and empowerment, Lester endeavors to help reintegrated individuals and children discover their purpose and embrace their true selves.

Paul, an Associate Planner of Equitable Development for the City of Vancouver's Community Development Department (CDD), is a dedicated advocate for social justice and racial equality. His academic background, combined with his personal experiences with the justice system, has equipped him with a profound understanding of the complexities of systemic racism and its pervasive impact on society.

Paul's commitment to community engagement and advocacy is evident through his participation in the 2023-2024 SWACH Community Leadership Institute in Clark County. As a program participant, he further honed his skills in leadership and community building, contributing to positive change in his local area.

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With a history of active involvement in educational institutions, Paul has served in various roles, including Evergreen High School At-Risk Advocate, Black Student Union Advisor, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee board member, basketball coach, and Clark College I.T. Technician. Through these positions, he has worked closely with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds, developing a strong skill set in community outreach and program development.

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Paul's advocacy extends beyond his professional roles, as he actively engages in advocacy campaigns and lobbies for policies that promote equality and justice for marginalized communities. His dedication to addressing racial inequality and injustice is unwavering, as he believes it is essential to work towards a more equitable and inclusive society.

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Despite facing challenges early in life, including serving three years of a five-year sentence at the age of 19, Paul has transformed his experiences into a driving force for positive change. He is committed to being a voice for the voiceless and dedicating his life to serving his community, striving to create a better future for all.

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Megan’s journey in advocating for the rights and welfare of marginalized youth and families is deeply woven with firsthand experience in the intricacies of the juvenile court system. As a Gates Scholar at the U. of WA, she was given the opportunity to learn about program and funding development with a placement at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. With a Masters' degree from the U. of Wisconsin, she is currently an Education Leadership Ph.D. candidate at SPU.  After a few twists and turns (and 3 boys later), Megan found herself in AZ collaborating with the National Football League Players Association. It was her hope to bridge the gap between sports and social justice, using the power and reach of professional athletes to amplify the voice of community youth programs. This led her to take on a position at the Arizona Secretary of State Office, where she ensured state resources were directed towards organizations and projects that genuinely aimed to revitalize access to public programs. With these experiences as a foundation, Megan has spent the past 5 years creating education programs while working with King County Juvenile Detention, K.C. Jail, and several reentry organizations across Washington State.

Robert Hampton was raised by a single parent mother, and ultimately became a menace to society before the age of 10. By the time he became a juvenile, he was already involved in gang activities and selling drugs in Southwest Washington. Robert's life choices took him down a very dark road to prison. In 2010, Robert made the choice to devote himself to a life of service. He began working with fundraising groups in prison to raise funds for single parent women to pay their college fees and needs. Robert worked up from facilitating the Redemption Project to mentoring the incarcerated gang members. He describes his contributions as "Illuminating the dark to unbound those with the light." Robert continues his quest to ensure the youth will never have to experience his lifestyle, life choices, or pitfalls by attempting to provide services and outlets that were never made available to him.

Kenneth Kirkland Sr. Born in New York City Brooklyn moved to Washington St. in 1983, Graduated from Evergreen High School then pursued his college education through Clark. As a family man of 5, Kenneth spent 12 years training the youth of Evergreen High school as their assistant basketball coach. 

Curtis Rodgers is a veteran and motivated individual with perseverance and dedication. Curtis began to get into trouble at age 14. The passing of his mother and brother in 1974, sent him into a downward spiral causing him to enter the fast life that would eventually lead him to serve 31 years in prison. While in prison, Curtis assisted with the launch of the non-profit organization, The Black Prisoners Caucus, and is involved with this group today. His mission is to help men, women, veterans, and youth with re-entry to the community and prevent recidivism. Curtis started his own non-profit called B-Inside-Or-Out, which is a transitional service organization that provides employment and housing. Curtis started an arts and crafts business called Before & After Bars LLC, selling arts and crafts made by incarcerated individuals, and he has a group for producing music and events known as I’m About That Life. Curtis doesn't stop there, as he also sits on the Washington State Department of Commerce Supportive Housing Advisory Committee, and he is involved with the Civil Survival Project, The Clemency Project, and Helping Hands Re-Entry. Curtis is always looking for ways to help the incarcerated individuals he works wit

Mario Clark serves as a dedicated Teen Center and Reentry Navigator at The Foundation WA, where he channels his lived experiences and deep commitment to supporting others through the reentry process. With a passion for connecting individuals to valuable community resources, Mario plays a vital role in helping youth and returning citizens find stability, opportunity, and hope. His firsthand understanding of the challenges involved in reentry empowers him to be an empathetic guide, fostering strong, supportive connections that make a real difference in the lives of those he serves.

Latasha Turner was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Washington state in 1993. After 13 years in the medical field, she has found a love for working with patients to help them feel their best. She has also learned the importance of being willing to help and acting as a shoulder to cry on.

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