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ABOUT VASHTI

Vashti is the creative genius behind Vashti's House. She is a survivor of childhood trauma and mental illness. As an adult, Vashti has had to overcome significant internal barriers including debilitating depression and developmental delays due to her interrupted childhood.  

 

Vashti's creativity and desire for learning is what fueled her ability her to find enjoyable and practical ways to overcome and heal. This same creativity and passion is what fuels her commitment to helping others through Vashti's House.

 

 Vashti has spent most of her 20 year career in adult and juvenile corrections serving in security, treatment, and support staff capacities.  Vashti's passion throughout her professional career has been helping people enjoy success in the community after incarcaration.

PERSONAL STORY

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Vashti was born in Idaho but moved to Alaska when she was 9 years old and stayed there until graduating high school.

 

Vashti survived her biological mother leaving when she was six, a kidnapping, and the unexpected death of her second mother to cancer. 

 

As a young woman from Alaska, her desire to live in the inner city brought her accidently living in Watts California. This experience launched her unexpectedly into the necessity of living in community collaboration. 

 

For nearly fourteen years Vashti and her husband, Chris, housed over forty people in treatment or in a life transition. This gave her the opportunity to better learn how intervention and helping methods work in real, day-to-day life.  

 

Vashti and her husband, Chris, have been married for over 30 years.  They are parents to six adult kids, and recently became grandparents. 

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"When we're hurt and feel powerless, change is daunting. That's why I feel inspired to share what I've learned in regards to making growth and healing fun and accessible for everyone." Vashti 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

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Marion County Transitional Center- Salem, OR: Treatment facilitator

Santiam Correctional Institution- Salem, OR: Treatment facilitator

Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST)- Salem, OR: Part time correctional instructor

Corban University- Salem, OR: Criminal Justice Department Adjunct professor

Santiam Correctional Institution- Salem, OR: Treatment facilitator

Oregon State Correctional Institution- Salem, OR: Treatment facilitator

Oregon State Penitentiary- Salem, OR: Treatment facilitator

Hillchrest Youth Correctional Facility- Salem, OR: Group Life Coordinator II

McLaughlin Youth Correctional Facility- Anchorage, AK: Juvenile Justice Officer II

Hiland Mountain Correctional Institution- Anchorage, AK: Mentoring coordinator; Life skills facilitator

Alaska Correctional Ministries- Anchorage, AK: Development Coordinator; Volunteer Coordinator and Trainer

Palmer Correctional Institution- Anchorage, AK: Life skills facilitator

Christian Community Placement Services- Salem, OR: Proctor Parent

Concept Seven- Orange, CA: Juvenile transitional home support staff

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COMMUNITY SERVICES

Women's ministry leader and board member: The Way Church

Founder and Director of ManUp: Community transition program for men in re-entry after incarcaration

Program Mentor: Simonka House

Personal Mentor: Highland Mountain Correctional

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EDUCATION

Master of Science in Criminal Justice/Corrections and Reentry: University of Cincinnati; Cincinnati, OH

Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Family Studies: Corban University; Salem, OR

Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice: Chemeketa Community College Salem, OR

 

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • EPICS (Effective Practices in Community Supervision)

  • EPICS for influencers

  • Nonviolent Crisis Intervention

  • Stress First Aid Instruction

  • Core Correctional Practices

Vashti is a lifelong member of the PSI CHI International Honor Society in Psychology

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