Meet Our Educational Advocates
Treehouse Educational Advocates support students in foster care by providing timely, appropriate education supports and interventions tailored to each individual’s academic and developmental needs.
By partnering with a team of existing supports in a youth’s life — caregivers, caseworkers, teachers, school counselors and community providers — Treehouse Educational Advocates help resolve barriers and identify needed resources for the youth to make progress at school.
Region 1 Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanagan, Pend Orville, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman
she/her
Contact me:
509.209.4675
[email protected]
Primary Office: Spokane Valley
Secondary Office: Spokane
Tertiary Office: Colfax
Supervisor: Pamela Holmes-Whyte
I have been an Educational Advocate with Treehouse for over 16 years. I have continuously worked in and with school systems since graduating from Eastern Washington University with a BA in Education. My previous work includes classroom teaching in grades K-12, and managing a Big Brothers Big Sisters School-Based Mentoring Program in 18 elementary schools. My hope when working with youth and their support teams is to impart knowledge, skills and confidence so that they may become an active part in their own advocacy. What brings me joy? Listening to children laughing/playing together.
Primary Office: North Spokane
Secondary Office: Newport and Colville
Supervisor: Heidi Barden
Primary Office: Wenatchee
Secondary Office: Moses Lake and Omak
Supervisor: Heidi Barden
Region 2 Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Kittitas, Klickitat, Walla Walla, Yakima
she/her
Contact me:
509.992.0632
[email protected]
Primary Office: Yakima
Secondary Office: Ellensburg, Goldendale and Toppenish
Supervisor: Amber Alvarez
Prior to starting at Treehouse, I worked with youth in various settings. I worked in a therapeutic group home for young adults ages 12-17, where I was able to help participants overcome significant trauma they have experienced. I have also worked with youth who have experienced a housing crisis, helping them find safe and stable housing. I enjoy the outdoors, spending time with family and friends and traveling.
Primary Office: Tri-Cities
Secondary Office: Clarkston, Sunnyside and Walla Walla
Supervisor: Amber Alvarez
Region 3 Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom
Primary Office: Smokey Point
Secondary Office: Everett and Sky Valley
Supervisor: Heidi Barden
Primary Office: Bellingham
Secondary Office: Mt. Vernon, Oak Harbor, Friday Harbor
Supervisor: Heidi Barden
Region 4 King
she/her
Contact me:
206.294.6606
[email protected]
Primary Office: King West and King East
Secondary Office: Lynnwood
Supervisor: Pamela Holmes-Whyte
I have always held close the two driving forces in my life that have been at the heart of any decision I have made: seeking comfort and providing it for others. Learning how to better serve and uplift others is what motivated me to study Psychology at Sonoma State University. It is what passionately propelled me on the path of human service–from initially supporting students with unique needs in schools to championing youth experiencing foster care as an education advocate now. I find joy in comfy things: a good book, a hearty meal and a warm bed. It is, I feel, only right that I spend what life I have supporting others so they will have the opportunity to seek out and enjoy the privilege that is their own comfort as well.
she/her
Contact me:
206.573.2924
[email protected]
Primary Office: MLK and Kent
Secondary Office: ICW
Supervisor: Pamela Holmes-Whyte
I studied psychology and sociology at Seattle Pacific University, where I received my Bachelors. I became interested in foster care during this time, as I had aged out of the system myself. I have worked in foster care and adoption agencies, foundations that encourage and guide foster kids in reaching higher education and assisting low income students as they navigate college and future career prospects. Before joining Treehouse, I was an advocate for kids returning home from foster care after being separated from their parents by incarceration. What brings me joy is the idea of growth. I am comforted by the knowledge that there is always potential for learning and expanding, even when life feels difficult.
Region 5 Kitsap, Pierce
she/her
Contact me:
206.391.7165
[email protected]
Primary Office: Puyallup
Secondary Office: Lakewood
Supervisor: Heidi Barden
I studied early childhood education and family studies at North Seattle College where I received my Bachelors. I spent 10 years working with young children and families in the Seattle preschool program and Childhaven. I spent a year working youth in the foster care system while working for the Department of Children, Youth and Families as a Social Service Support Specialist. I am extremely passionate about education and making sure that students of all ages are able given the proper resources to reach their full potential. What brings me joy is exploring the Pacific Northwest in my free time. Finding a new trail or a waterfall to just spend the day with my family.
she/her
Contact me:
253.686.7475
[email protected]
Primary Office: Tacoma
Supervisor: Heidi Barden
I have a BS in Marketing and a Master’s in Organizational Systems. Market research manager and tech sales were my first two careers. Working on behalf of youth is my 3rd career and the one that I have found the most rewarding. I have been a foster parent, CASA, Peer Partner for families with youth that have emotional, behavioral and mental health disorders, a coach for families with truant youth and an adoptive parent of 5 youth out of the foster care system. In addition, I find joy in traveling, dog shows/sports and spending time with my husband, adult children and their families.
she/her
Contact me:
360.460.1513
[email protected]
Primary Office: Bremerton
Secondary Office: Forks, Port Angeles and Port Townsend
Supervisor: Heidi Barden
My background is in education, specifically at the middle school level. I have a Master’s in Education and a BA in History, which I put to good use as a classroom teacher for 13 years prior to working at Treehouse. In addition to supporting youth, I find joy in family games nights and community theatre productions!
Region 6 Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Skamania, Thurston, Wahkiakum
she/her
Contact me:
564.244.7804
[email protected]
Primary Office: Kelso
Secondary Office: Tumwater and Centralia
Supervisor: Pamela Holmes-Whyte
Greetings! My name is Crystal Cowles, and I have been in the education field for about 19 years. I have been a paraprofessional in special education classrooms, taught English in China and was a 5th and 6th-grade teacher for seven years. Before joining Treehouse, I taught in a program where adults could earn their high school diploma. I also opened my own doula business and helped birthing people welcome their babies into the world. I enjoy all genres of music and play the clarinet and tenor saxophone. Listening to and playing music is a large part of my life and brings me joy daily.
she/her
Contact me:
360.580.5076
[email protected]
Primary Office: Aberdeen
Secondary Office: Long Beach, Shelton and South Bend
Supervisor: Pamela Holmes-Whyte
My experience working in Special Education, both professionally and personally, combined with experience working closely with the Department of Children, Youth and Families, has uniquely prepared me to do this work. I find joy in helping families succeed because I know how difficult it is to navigate unknown systems without support. In my spare time I enjoy playing video games with my 6 children and spending time in my garden. I look forward to the opportunity to work together to help our youth succeed.
he/him
Contact me:
360.913.4114
[email protected]
Primary Office: Vancouver
Secondary Office: Stevenson
Supervisor: Amber Alvarez
I have been working with youth experiencing foster care in various capacities since 2007. I feel honored to be able to support youth who are experiencing foster care and their caregivers to ensure that they are receiving the best education possible. I believe that public education is one of the most important things that a young person goes through in life, and with the proper support, they will receive the skills that are needed to live up to their dreams, whatever they may be. When I am not working to support others, I like to spend my time skateboarding, playing disc golf, going to concerts and spending time with my dogs and family.
Statewide
he/they
Contact me:
306.328.6190
[email protected]
Serving highly mobile youth statewide
Supervisor: Amber Alvarez
I’ve lived in Washington state my whole life! I attended community college in Yakima to get my associate’s degree. I earned my B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies from Western Washington University years later. In my professional life, I have worked as a body piercer, a fast-food worker, a barista and more. Within the non-profit realm, I’ve held positions in domestic violence shelters, a crisis helpline and worked as a case manager in a permanent supportive housing program. I’ve also been lucky to volunteer facilitating support groups for queer and trans youth. I am passionate about seeing people holistically with humanity, and it’s important to me that people have as much choice and autonomy as possible in their lives as they navigate tough systems. I find joy in going to the beach, painting, laughing with my friends and hanging out with my dog.
she/they
Teshia is out on leave at the moment. Please reach out to Amber Alvarez for any needs. Her contact info is:
509.440.3679
[email protected]
Serving highly mobile youth statewide
Supervisor: Amber Alvarez
My educational background includes a Masters of Science in Psychology. My studies encompassed a lot of research in statistics and psychology/sociology themes of human and animal behavior. I am bilingual in English/Spanish. During my Bachelor’s program I received a minor in non-profit management and grant writing. Prior to Treehouse, I served as a Case Manager for homeless populations. I joined Treehouse in 2019 excited to be part of a team that is dedicated to systems change. I have lived experience in foster care. I use that life experience to help advocate for the youth we serve to support them on their lifelong journey of overcoming adversity. My true passion lies within the therapeutic compounds of animal relationships/interactions, specifically equine. I believe through building relationships with animals and working with equines we can repair maladaptive attachment disorders that derive from trauma and neglect. What gives me joy? There are many things that give me joy. I appreciate the small things in life. Watching a flower grow to bloom, riding my horse through the mountains, and sharing these moments with my daughter. My motto in life is “Do your best, Leave the rest; Twill all come right, someday, or night.”
Leadership
she/her
Director, Educational Advocacy
Contact me:
360.764.9187
[email protected]
Prior to joining Treehouse in 2018, I was the executive director for a small non-profit in North Central Washington, working to increase trauma-informed systems and substance abuse prevention through community organizing. In 2018 I began my Treehouse journey as an educational advocate. I moved into the role of Regional Manager in 2021. In 2022 I transitioned into the role of Director for Educational Advocacy. I live and work on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people, specifically the Nisqually and Squaxin Island peoples. My passion is to create positive systems change in a way that elevates and prioritizes equitable access to education. I am a parent of 4 card-carrying young adults. My most valuable lessons and purest joy has come from those four humans. We live with three delightfully silly dogs – two standard poodles and a Chesapeake bay retriever. I find the most joy in spending time with my family, experiencing nature, hiking, kayaking, skiing, listening to live music and playing with our dogs.
they/them
Program Manager, Dual-System Involved Youth
Contact me:
253.921.7227
[email protected]
I am a black, queer and non-binary social worker committed to racial equity and community care. I currently occupy the traditional lands of the Puyallup, Duwamish and Coast Salish peoples. I received my master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Washington in 2020. I have experience working as a Behavior Specialist in an alternative classroom setting and as a Child Welfare Social Worker for DCYF. It is my hope to further the fight for all children and youth across the state of Washington to receive equitable education and equitable opportunities to thrive. Spending time in the community, being in nature and participating in community activism brings me joy.
she/her
Regional Manager
Contact me:
206.530.6739
[email protected]
I am from Canada where I was a founding faculty member of the Neufeld Institute, a teaching institute forwarding a developmental, attachment-rooted approach to teaching, parenting and treating children. In that role, I provided seminars, courses and consulting to parents, teachers, social workers and other professionals who work with children. I have six children, four of them grown: bio, step and adoptive, including one adopted out of foster care here in Washington state. My passion for equipping the parents and professionals who work with vulnerable youth is long-standing, leaving me well-suited for my role in the Educational Advocacy program.
she/her
Regional Manager
Contact me:
509.440.3679
[email protected]
My name is Amber Alvarez, and I am a Regional Manager for Educational Advocacy. I joined Treehouse in September 2019 and truly believe in Treehouse’s mission to support youth experiencing the foster care system. I hold a Bachelor of Arts (BA), which I attained at the University of Washington Bothell (UWB). While at UWB, I double majored in Law, Economics & Public Policy, and Society, Ethics, & Human Behavior with a minor in Human Rights. I have over six years of professional experience working closely with students and young adults to support their employment and educational needs. My range of experience includes collaborating with the public school system, local colleges and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). I enjoy relationship building within the communities I serve, especially as a means to best support our youth in care. I find the most joy in my family, friends and dogs. They mean the absolute world to me. I also find joy in thrifting, antiquing and spending time near the healing ocean. I look forward to working with you to serve our youth in care.
she/her
Regional Manager
Contact me:
425.324.1607
[email protected]
Throughout my working career, I have worked with youth in a variety of settings in some capacity. Through outdoor education, case management and working directly with schools to support creating education opportunities, I strive to make a meaningful impact. The fresh air of being out on a hike, kayaking and swimming in an open lake all bring me great joy.