About CHS
Center for Human Services is a community-based nonprofit youth and family services agency that has been a resource to children, youth, adults and families since 1970.Our History
Center for Human Services (CHS) is a not-for-profit social services agency that has served the community since 1970. CHS origins came from the founding of Creative Life Foundation in 1970 and Shoreline Youth Services in 1972. Our work counseling families and promoting drug and alcohol prevention began here, but, originally, we only served residents from the City of Shoreline. These two organizations merged in 1982 and the name “Center for Human Services” was taken.
Original Shoreline Youth Services Location
Core Values and Philosophical Approaches
Our Core Values
Model Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
We respect and embrace the diversity of our community and are committed to weaving that diversity into our programs, actions, and results.
Provide Accessibility
We provide services that are easy to find, understand, and utilize.
Champion Collaboration
We foster collaborative relationships that promote creativity, innovation, and teamwork.
Demand Accountability
We assess and coordinate our programs and systems to ensure that we meet high standards of service and care.
Personify Integrity
We value the strengths and assets of our clients, community members, and co-workers and are honest, respectful, and ethical in our interactions.
Have Fun
We are passionate about the work we do and embrace the role fun plays in promoting a balanced workplace and healthy community.
Philosophical Approaches
CHS believes that the most critical element for strengthening a community is to strengthen its members and their families through preventive and responsive programs that are culturally humble. This is accomplished by taking a counseling approach that is strengths-based, family-focused, client-centered, trauma informed, culturally responsive and integrated with other services.
Staff Leadership Team
“Leadership is found at all levels of our agency.”
Beratta Gomillion
Executive Director
Cathy Assata
Substance Use Disorders Department Director
Tanya Laskelle
Family Support Department Director
Katrina Hanawalt
Community-Based Intensive Services Department Director
Paula Thomas
Behaviorial Health Integration Department Director
Vanessa Villavicencio
Mental Health Department Director
Arra Rael
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Manager
Mirsada Kulovac
Human Resources Manager
Max Sanchez
Finance Director
Staff Award Winners
Each year all staff are invited to nominate co-workers who exemplify our CHS values. Once nominations are received, the Board of Directors selects the winners.
The 2023 winners are:
- Accessibility Award: Angelina Roman – Family Support
- Integrity Award: Kate Dumanian – Mental Health
- Accountability Award: Rhiannon Jahns – Administration
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Award: Asa Badda-Iuco – Community Based Intensive Services
- Collaboration Award: Bianca Pacifici – Community Based Intensive Services
- Fun Award: James Hong – Administration
Board of Directors
CHS is a 501(c)3 agency, governed by a board of directors. The Board of Directors meet the last Tuesday of each month at the 148th location, unless otherwise noted.
Board of Directors with Executive Director at CHS 2023 Gala.
Front Row (left to right): Katerina Plushko, Wesley Madsen (President), Beratta Gomillion (Executive Director), Laurie Chapman (Vice President), Diana Cadena-Sanner, Ed Sterner (Treasurer)
Back Row (left to right): Ryan Madsen, Shawn Karmil (Secretary), Dave Calhoun
Not Pictured: Marisa Pierce and Adam Ortega
We are currently recruiting new Board Members. Join our CHS team!
Grace Cole Award
In 1983 the Center for Human Services established an award in honor of one of our founders and long-time board member, Grace Cole. In addition to her overwhelming support of CHS, Grace served her community as a school board member and as a member of the state House of Representatives. She championed education and family support issues, and led the way for those who would follow her. Selected by our Executive Director, the Grace Cole “Volunteer of the Year” award goes to a CHS board member who has followed Grace’s example of serving her community as a whole as well as making a difference for CHS.
Recipient of the 2024 CHS Grace Cole Award: Katerina Plushko
Past Recipients of the CHS Grace Cole Award
2024: Katerina Plushko
2023: Ed Sterner
2022: Wesley Madsen
2021: Ryan Madsen & Michael Karmil
2020: (No Annual Gala)
2019: Susan Ramstead
2018: Dave Calhoun
2017: Kim Karmil
2014: Rick Hanshaw
2013: Nick Anderson & Cheryl Middleton
2012: Howard Springer
2011: Lori Knuckey
2010: Joe Meneghini
2009: Olga Perelman
2008: Karen Fernandez
2007: Rachel Klausner
2006: Colleen Blake
2005: Linda Cufley
2004: Nick Pealy
2003: Steve Ohlenkamp
2002: Shaunta Hyde
2001: Jeannine Senechal
2000: Meredith Church
1999: Dee Ann Burman
1997: Van Campbell
1996: Kevin Grossman
1995: Edie Loyer Nelson
1994: Ruth Kagi
1993: Dave Spicer
1992: Daphne Schneider
1991: Alice Burgess
1990: Diane Nagel & Sharon Sakamoto
1989: Patrick Prichard
1988: Dale Galvin
1987: Bill Blanchard
1986: Roger Roffman
1985: Don Hess
1984: Betty Woods
1983: Grace Cole
Strategic Plan & Executive Summary
Strategic Plan
Through the work of Board Members and staff leadership, together with input from the community, the CHS mission and strategic process were strengthened. The CHS team is confident this process and an updated strategic plan will carry CHS forward during this challenging economic environment.
Executive Summary
Each year our Executive Director presents an Executive Summary. The report summarizes the past calendar year. In this summary, we identify and analyze trends and look for opportunities for improvement.
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