Jami Hayes
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jami Hayes, as the Executive Director at YouthZone, brings over 20 years of hands-on working experience with youth and families. Her various roles in schools as kindergarten, first grade, special education, instructional coach and leader provide a unique perspective into the needs of communities. Through the lens of social justice and equity, she truly understands that health and wellness begins at the heart of our communities with our youth and families. Jami believes that positive community engagement is the driving force in behavior and mindset change. All youth are worthy and capable of growth which leads to positive generational change for families and communities.
Jami has supported youth and families through her work as a restorative practitioner, behavioral interventionist, school administrator, and advocate for youth with disabilities. Currently, she is working toward revising systems to increase YouthZone's overall effectiveness through feedback, development of annual listening tours, and analyzing data. This is more important than ever as YouthZone is the leading organization for diversion in the 9th Judicial District in Colorado.
Jami earned her degrees in Organizational Leadership, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity, and Reading Specialist at numerous universities. She has been trained to facilitate professional development in restorative practices, responsive and proactive circles, and conferencing in high conflict with youth. When Jami is not serving her community as a nonprofit leader, she can be found trail running, mountain biking, and rafting with her 2 boys, Sam (16) and Levi (12) and her dog, Tucker.
Phone: 970-930-6545
Email: jhayes@youthzone.com
Jesse Hanna
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Jesse brings nearly 25 years of experience serving youth, families, and communities through ministry and nonprofit leadership. Growing up in Indiana, he developed a passion for investing in young people that has guided his career ever since. Throughout his work as a youth pastor, mentor, and leader, Jesse has walked alongside students and families from a wide range of backgrounds, believing that every young person deserves to be seen, valued, and given the opportunity to thrive.
As Chief Operating Officer at YouthZone, Jesse is passionate about building healthy teams, strengthening organizational systems, and creating a culture where staff can do their best work in service of youth and families. He believes that strong organizations are built on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the mission, and that effective operations ultimately create greater opportunities for lasting impact in the community.
Jesse earned his bachelor’s degree from Ball State University (BS) and his master’s degree from TEDS. (MAR) When he isn’t at YouthZone, you’ll likely find him skiing, hiking, or spending time with family and friends.
Phone: 970-432-0161
Email: jhanna@youthzone.com
Tania Beltran
BUSINESS MANAGER
Tania Beltran grew up in the Roaring Fork Valley and graduated from RFHS back in 2009. She has a wonderful son (Santiago) with whom she loves spending her free time with.
I choose to work with Youthzone because I love being a part of a team that focuses on building strong families and providing a safe community for our youth. I am blessed to work with such a caring organization.
Email: tbeltran@youthzone.com
Vanessa Otero
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Vanessa Otero is a long time local of the Roaring Fork Valley. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and continuing to perfect her makeup skills as a licensed cosmetologist, loves the colors Colorado has to offer in the fall, and being out in nature. Vanessa is super excited to be part of an organization that promotes equity and inclusion and focuses on strengthening families and their youth.
"Be one percent better than yesterday." -Unknown
Email: votero@youthzone.com
Airen Goodman
PROGRAM DIRECTOR + CYDC/SENATE BILL 94 COORDINATOR
Airen is the Program Director at YouthZone and the CYDC Senate Bill 94 Coordinator for the Ninth Judicial District.Airen holds a Masters Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. Airen’s background and skills include mental health counseling, crisis intervention, restorative justice, and mediation. Airen moved to Colorado from Utah and started working with YouthZone in August, 2018. She enjoys spending time with her family and playing in the outdoors.
I feel privileged to be a part of YouthZone’s amazing work.
Phone: 970-930-6550
Email: agoodman@youthzone.com
Zyra Guyon
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Originally from the southernmost part of Louisiana, Zyra graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of New Orleans. From there, she pursued a Master's in School Counseling from the University of Holy Cross and graduated in 2015. Zyra is a licensed school counselor, licensed professional counselor in both Colorado & Oregon, nationally certified counselor, and an approved clinical supervisor. She moved to Colorado in 2016 to work as an in-school day program therapist. She has worked in multiple school settings, from private to public, from K-12th grade, and from privileged to rural, low-income areas. Zyra as also worked as a clinical supervisor at an Intensive Rehabilitation Therapy program for those transitioning from prison to community living.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her children, camping, and traveling to different countries to explore their beaches.
“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.”—Og Mandin
Email: zguyon@youthzone.com
Michelle Medrano
SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION COORDINATOR
Michelle Medrano grew up in the Roaring Fork Valley and is a proud alumnus of Roaring Fork High School. Michelle has a master's degree in Mental Health and Wellness and is a Certified Addictions Technician. Her background includes working in at-risk schools and substance work in the mental health field.
I am happy to be at YouthZone and be able to give back to the same community that gave so much to me in my youth years.
Email: mmedrano@youthzone.com
Erin Greenwald
DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Erin Greenwald brings more than 17 years of lived experience in the recovery community to her work. She has experience facilitating groups, mentoring young women, and supporting individuals and families on their recovery journeys. Erin is a Certified Addiction Technician and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Colorado Boulder.
"Your greatest contribution to the universe may not be something you do, but someone you raise" - Unknown
Email: egreenwald@youthzone.com
Keri Sorenson
SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION SPECIALIST
Keri Sorenson is a Substance Use Prevention and Intervention Specialist at YouthZone with over 10 years of experience in the recovery community. Her passion for helping youth comes from both personal and professional experience, and she believes strongly in giving teens the support, coping skills, and encouragement she wishes she had access to when she was younger.
Keri holds an Associate of Arts degree and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services at Colorado Mountain College, where she has earned academic honors. She is a Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) and certified Peer and Family Specialist, with training in Motivational Interviewing, Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT), Seeking Safety, trauma-informed care, human trafficking, and LGBTQ+ support. Before joining YouthZone, she worked as a Recovery Technician in a women’s inpatient treatment center.
At YouthZone, Keri loves helping teens recognize their strengths, learn healthier ways to cope, and understand that their past does not define their future. Her message to youth is simple: you are worth it, and change is always possible.
Outside of work, Keri is a mom of two daughters and recently became engaged. She loves fishing, concerts, camping, hiking, traveling, exploring new places, and just about anything outdoors.
Email: ksorenson@youthzone.com
Aida Bonilla
PRE-TRIAL & DIVERSION YOUTH ADVOCATE
Aida Bonilla is a Pre-Trial and Diversion Youth Advocate. She has grown up in the valley for most of her life. Aida earned her Associate’s Degree with an emphasis in Psychology and is currently working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services with an expected graduation date in December 2024. Aida joins YouthZone with vast experience working in the Department of Human Services with various populations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, traveling, and paddleboarding. Aida is excited to be a part of an organization that can help make an impact in a youth’s life.
“If you judge a book by its cover, you might miss out on an amazing story.” -Unknown
Email: abonilla@youthzone.com
Mariah Dickson
YOUTH ADVOCATE
Mariah Dickson started her career as a teacher, determined to do everything possible to provide an outstanding education for EVERY kid. She taught high-school English for 10 years, coached teachers and developed Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessments in a wide range of schools for the next 22 years, and then returned to teaching at Glenwood Springs High School in 2019. She has a B.A. from Stanford University and an M.A. from Tufts University.
YouthZone provides the perfect opportunity for me to expand my lifelong mission of supporting teenagers in every way possible. As I learned from Winston Churchill, I should “never, never, never give up.”.
Email: mdickson@youthzone.com
Pete Durrance
YOUTH ADVOCATE
Pete Durrance’s diverse background, spanning the music and entertainment industry to working with cultural and political icons, has uniquely equipped him for his impactful roles in Restorative Justice programs and Youth Mentorship. A former YouthZone graduate, Pete experienced firsthand the transformative power of support, accountability, and advocacy, which has given him a deep appreciation for the complexities faced by families involved with YouthZone. His personal journey fuels his commitment to guiding others towards a brighter future.
“Getting better isn’t about feeling good. It’s about getting good at feeling”. - Anonymous
Email: pdurrance@youthzone.com
Lupe Loya
YOUTH ADVOCATE
Lupe Loya is a dedicated educator and behavioral specialist who recently joined the Roaring Fork Valley community. With a background as an early education teacher, she spent two years nurturing young minds before transitioning to a behavioral specialist role in the AN Program and later contributing to the SSN Program. An avid reader, Lupe's favorite books explore neuroplasticity, reflecting her belief in the brain's capacity for growth and change. Her versatile expertise and commitment to education drive her continuous efforts to support and enhance diverse learning needs.
I work for YouthZone because, I always believe that life is about shaping the kind of person you want to be. Knowing that the brain can be rewired, compelled me to work in an industry that gives hope that we can change our ways for the better.
Email: lloya@youthzone.com
Becca Paturalski
YOUTH ADVOCATE
Becca Paturalski is a Youth Advocate with 16 years of experience in the service industry, which enabled her to serve many different people from a variety of backgrounds. She grew up in Chattanooga, TN and holds her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. Becca found her passion for helping young people while mentoring and tutoring inner-city elementary students for Tulane's Service-Learning program. She joined the Roaring Fork Valley in 2019, where she worked as a Medical Assistant during the Covid-19 pandemic. Outside of YouthZone, Becca enjoys hiking with her dog Snacks, reading sci-fi novels, paddleboarding, soaking in hot springs, and camping in the mountains.
"How we spend our days, of course, is how we spend our lives."- Annie Dillard
Email: bpaturalski@youthzone.com
