Staff

Roberto Ballesteros is a proud Bellingham, WA native who is happy to make a new home in Vancouver, WA. He graduated with a Bachelors in Sociology from Western Washington University. To pass time he loves to read books, hike, hang out with friends, and relax with his cat. He decided to move and work in Southwest Washington in order to expand both his career and educational opportunities. He wanted to work with Friends of The Children to help serve and benefit youth who are facing situations that he had to face when he was younger. Not only that, but the statistics on the impact that the organization had on youth is inspiring. He cannot wait to start building connections with both the youth and the community.

Wendy Bukoski is an island girl, born and raised in Honolulu, HI and the West Coast is her home. She earned her Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising through Portland State University in 2019 and has over a decade of nonprofit management experience in operations, development, and community relations. Prior to joining Friends of the Children – SW Washington, she made KATU news headlines as an Everyday Hero for her impact with folks living outside and low-income families while managing operations at FISH of Vancouver, a local food bank and pantry. She was thrilled to join Friends – SW Washington upon chapter launch, due to her love and experience with startups, and advocacy for those facing systemic barriers. Wendy was inspired with how Friends provide early intervention with the highest priority youth in kindergarten & ultimately change the trajectory of their lives through a platform of love and professional mentorship for 12+ years, no matter what. Besides going on adventures with her friends and family, she is an enthusiastic, yet vertically challenged snowboarder and enjoys kickboxing, boogie boarding and watching the sun set back home on the islands of Hawai’i.

Traci was born in Oklahoma and migrated to the Pacific Northwest in 1996 and has lived in the Vancouver area since 2004. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Oklahoma State University. Upon moving to Oregon, she went to work for a behavioral health company where her career in corporate operational processes began. Traci has been looking to transition to non-profit work and is excited to have landed the opportunity to work at Friends of the Children SW Washington. It is important to her that she work for an organization that focuses on providing active and positive change within its community in a way that is impactful and meaningful. Besides spending time with her pets, Traci enjoys rock painting, baking, admiring the ocean, and hiking the beautiful trails in the area.

Ratheany (Rath) Doschin is a native of Vancouver, WA and a proud Alumni of Hudson's Bay High School. Rath earned her degree in Human Services from Western Washington University in Bellingham, where she also interned at numerous nonprofits aimed to serve youth. Prior to accepting the position as Program Manager at Friends SWWA, Rath was a Mentor at Friends PDX where she spent 6 years working with youth ranging from 1st grade to seniors in high school, and had the honor of watching 6 young ladies from her roster graduate from the program over the years. It was, and still is, her dream job to commit to an organization that is aimed to support and serve our most resilient young people - Friends of the Children is home. Outside of work, Rath loves playing on volleyball leagues, snowboarding during winter season, catching every Mariners Home Opener, and spending time with family and friends.

Heber was born and raised in Seattle, WA and graduated from the University of Washington in 2018. During his time at Udub, Heber worked with a mentoring organization called The Dream Project- an org that helped support underserved youth with the college application process. This mentorship opportunity fueled Heber’s passion for serving others and led him to major in Social Work & Education. Heber then worked for an elementary school in Seattle until he came across the opportunity to work for Friends. Heber chose to work for FOTC because he felt this organization‘s response to combating generational poverty through relationship building with at risk-youth aligned with his beliefs and passion. In his free time, Heber enjoys listening to music, watching movies & sports, playing video games, and hanging out with loved ones.

Jena is from Spokane, Wash., and attended Eastern Washington University. She values the long term commitment that the program and Friend make to each youth and strive to remain youth first and strength-based. Jena enjoys spending time with friends and shooting film photos. Reading, writing and spending time with her cat are also favorite pastimes.

Monica Martinez-Animas (she/her) earned her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. While earning her degree, she volunteered with the Beat Within, an organization that encourages youth in juvenile detention to express themselves through writing and art. Monica interned with International Rescue Committee in Elizabeth, New Jersey where she assisted in case management and employment assistance for refugee resettlement. In April 2015, she was a recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award for her work with Multnomah County’s Juvenile Justice Department working as a tutor and mentor for high-risk youth. Monica began her work with Girl Scouts Beyond Bars as a volunteer the summer of 2014 and was with the program for over three years in various capacities including direct program delivery and program management supporting girls and their incarcerated mothers. She provided immigration legal services with Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York Community Services from fall 2017 to spring 2018. Monica has a deep passion for supporting under served communities and is excited about joining Friends of the Children where she can make a positive impact with the community, families, and most importantly, the youth being served.

Prior to being selected as Friends–Southwest Washington's executive director, Allison Pauletto, a Hudson's Bay High School alum who lives in Vancouver with her spouse and two children, was with Friends–Portland for 13 years, most recently serving as the chief development officer. During her time at Friends–Portland, the organization's budget grew from just under $2 million to $6.5 million and led Portland's highest-grossing nonprofit fundraiser, "Friend Raiser." She was also instrumental in the creation of the first Ambassador Board and their annual Bowl-a-thon.

Doug Rogers grew up in the California Bay Area and received his undergraduate degree from Humboldt State in 1992. The following year, he received an initial teaching credential from San Francisco State and then relocated to Portland. Since then, he has worked predominantly in alternative education as a classroom teacher, special educator and ultimately program director, but he has also worked with youth involved with the judicial system, youth experiencing homelessness and youth in residential programs. More recently, he and several teen-aged youth co-founded the Church of Rock N Roll youth collective/mentoring program that gave youth skills and experience in the live music industry.

Doug is excited to have landed with Friends of the Children in summer 2018, where he has begun working primarily with youth in Southwest Washington. When asked what he loves most about Friends, he has a hard time making up his mind. The amount of direct time with youth, the long-term vision of the program and the community of support he finds with other mentors are all aspects of the program that make it feel like home.

Remy was born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in Bellingham, Wash. She became certified as a personal trainer specializing in youth fitness and began coaching high school softball. Her most recent youth experience bringing me to Friends was my work as a coach and program associate for Playworks. Remy found a passion for working one-on-one with youth and came to Friends to give back everything she learned from her own mentors and coaches. Outside of work, she still likes to get out and play softball and basketball. Remy enjoys taking her 3-year-old pup to the park or any place he can run and swim in the water.