JoDee Garretson, Executive Director
JoDee first joined SARC as a volunteer advocate in 1995. She was hired as the Executive Director in October 1996. JoDee has a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources and a minor in Sociology from Eastern Washington University (Go Eags!!) and a Master Degree in Business Administration from NOVA Southeastern University. She is also a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). JoDee is grateful and honored to work on behalf of survivors.
JoDee first joined SARC as a volunteer advocate in 1995. She was hired as the Executive Director in October 1996. JoDee has a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources and a minor in Sociology from Eastern Washington University (Go Eags!!) and a Master Degree in Business Administration from NOVA Southeastern University. She is also a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). JoDee is grateful and honored to work on behalf of survivors.
Yolanda Stohel, Office Administrator
Yolanda has worked as a Prevention Support Specialist at SARC since 2021, transitioning to the Office Administrator position in October 2023. Prior to SARC, Yolanda worked as a Patient Service Representative for Intermountain Health Care and for the United States Post Office. Yolanda brings years of customer service experience to SARC which she utilizes to support her community.
Yolanda has worked as a Prevention Support Specialist at SARC since 2021, transitioning to the Office Administrator position in October 2023. Prior to SARC, Yolanda worked as a Patient Service Representative for Intermountain Health Care and for the United States Post Office. Yolanda brings years of customer service experience to SARC which she utilizes to support her community.
Rosanna Herrera Brown, Program Director of Crisis and Prevention
Rosanna has been working with SARC since September 2008. She obtained her Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice from Heritage University. Rosanna believes her involvement with SARC has been an opportunity for her to live out her life purpose. She is driven by an inner passion and purpose to advocate for those who face social injustices, promote social change & eliminate sexual violence. She is passionate and loves that every day she is part of the solution for social change.
Rosanna has been working with SARC since September 2008. She obtained her Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice from Heritage University. Rosanna believes her involvement with SARC has been an opportunity for her to live out her life purpose. She is driven by an inner passion and purpose to advocate for those who face social injustices, promote social change & eliminate sexual violence. She is passionate and loves that every day she is part of the solution for social change.
Judit Medina, Crisis Program Lead Advocate
Judit earned her Bachelor Degree in Psychology at Heritage University. She has previously worked with children in public education and plans to pursue a Master in Counseling. Her work with children inspired her to help bring change in the lives of at-risk children, youth and adults. She is dedicated to serving her community and helping facilitate the advocacy provided to clients at SARC.
Judit earned her Bachelor Degree in Psychology at Heritage University. She has previously worked with children in public education and plans to pursue a Master in Counseling. Her work with children inspired her to help bring change in the lives of at-risk children, youth and adults. She is dedicated to serving her community and helping facilitate the advocacy provided to clients at SARC.
Bibiana Juarez, General Crimes Advocate
Bibiana came to SARC in early September as an intern and volunteer. She is currently working towards her bachelors degree in Social Work. Bibiana is excited to be a part of SARC's mission within Tri-Cities. She is passionate about helping others in times of crisis and is looking forward to acquiring knowledge and experience in this field.
Bibiana came to SARC in early September as an intern and volunteer. She is currently working towards her bachelors degree in Social Work. Bibiana is excited to be a part of SARC's mission within Tri-Cities. She is passionate about helping others in times of crisis and is looking forward to acquiring knowledge and experience in this field.
Brianna Albrecht, Sexual Assault Advocate
Brianna is a graduate from Whitworth University with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and Spanish. Brianna is excited to apply her psychology background in real life situations and expand her knowledge by working at SARC. She is dedicated to serving crime victims and helping them through their journeys.
Brianna is a graduate from Whitworth University with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and Spanish. Brianna is excited to apply her psychology background in real life situations and expand her knowledge by working at SARC. She is dedicated to serving crime victims and helping them through their journeys.
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Veronica Simmons, Sexual Assault Advocate
Veronica attended Eastern Washington University and earned a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Shortly after, she decided to go back to school to pursue a Masters of Education in School Counseling degree at Grand Canyon University and graduated in October of 2023. Veronica has a passion for building meaningful connections through service, which is why she decided to join SARC. During her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with family. |
Tomasa Riojas, Sexual Assault Advocate
Tomasa has earned her Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science and is currently working towards her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Grand Canyon University. She has worked in public education and connected well with at risk youth and minority groups. Her passion for advocacy and implementing her knowledge in the field encourages her to promote self-empowerment by emphasizing SARC’s mission.
Tomasa has earned her Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science and is currently working towards her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Grand Canyon University. She has worked in public education and connected well with at risk youth and minority groups. Her passion for advocacy and implementing her knowledge in the field encourages her to promote self-empowerment by emphasizing SARC’s mission.
Howard Hunt, Engagement Specialist
Howard has a Bachelor degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and will soon have a Master degree in Social Work. Howard has over 20 years of work experience in crime prevention and self-defense. He is passionate about working with victims of crime and those marginalized in society. Howard lives by the motto, "Be a good human." Humanity has more in common than the differences that separate us.
Howard has a Bachelor degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and will soon have a Master degree in Social Work. Howard has over 20 years of work experience in crime prevention and self-defense. He is passionate about working with victims of crime and those marginalized in society. Howard lives by the motto, "Be a good human." Humanity has more in common than the differences that separate us.
Gabby Covarrubias, Human Trafficking and Exploitation Advocate
Gabby is a graduate from WSU with a Bachelor in Psychology and Spanish and is earning her MSW. She enjoys working at SARC and expanding her knowledge within the field of social work as well as connecting what she has learned throughout her education to real-time situations.
Gabby is a graduate from WSU with a Bachelor in Psychology and Spanish and is earning her MSW. She enjoys working at SARC and expanding her knowledge within the field of social work as well as connecting what she has learned throughout her education to real-time situations.
Ali Long, Program Assistant
Ali joined SARC as a volunteer advocate in October 2022 and was hired as an assistant in the same year. She graduated from Richland High School in 2022 with her Associate's Degree through the running start program at Columbia Basin College. Ali is currently working towards her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at Grand Canyon University online and plans to graduate in 2024. Ali has a passion of empowering and advocating for survivors of any crime type and looks forward to learning more about how she can help within her community.
Ali joined SARC as a volunteer advocate in October 2022 and was hired as an assistant in the same year. She graduated from Richland High School in 2022 with her Associate's Degree through the running start program at Columbia Basin College. Ali is currently working towards her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at Grand Canyon University online and plans to graduate in 2024. Ali has a passion of empowering and advocating for survivors of any crime type and looks forward to learning more about how she can help within her community.
Denise Martin, Prevention Specialist Program Lead
Denise joined the SARC team in May 2010. She graduated from Central Washington University and received a degree in Elementary Education & Early Childhood Education. "I have always been a nurturing type of person who really is dedicated to making a great impact and helping children. I feel that prevention is the perfect place for me. I love seeing their eyes open when they learn ways to be assertive and avoid unsafe situations."
Denise joined the SARC team in May 2010. She graduated from Central Washington University and received a degree in Elementary Education & Early Childhood Education. "I have always been a nurturing type of person who really is dedicated to making a great impact and helping children. I feel that prevention is the perfect place for me. I love seeing their eyes open when they learn ways to be assertive and avoid unsafe situations."
Katie Sheets, Prevention Specialist
Katie graduated from WSU Tri-Cities with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration. Katie previously worked in higher education, serving first-generation college students and students from underrepresented backgrounds. As the Prevention Specialist for SARC, Katie is excited to connect with others in the community and promote SARC's mission through education.
Katie graduated from WSU Tri-Cities with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration. Katie previously worked in higher education, serving first-generation college students and students from underrepresented backgrounds. As the Prevention Specialist for SARC, Katie is excited to connect with others in the community and promote SARC's mission through education.
Lizbeth Salazar, Prevention Support Specialist
Lizbeth graduated from WSU Tri Cities with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. She started as a volunteer for SARC in 2022-2023. Lizbeth is going to complete her Master's in Mental Health Counseling soon at Heritage University. As a Prevention Support Specialist, she finds joy in educating youth that there are resources available for them in times of crisis and also educating on important topics.
Lizbeth graduated from WSU Tri Cities with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. She started as a volunteer for SARC in 2022-2023. Lizbeth is going to complete her Master's in Mental Health Counseling soon at Heritage University. As a Prevention Support Specialist, she finds joy in educating youth that there are resources available for them in times of crisis and also educating on important topics.
Anna Hahn, Clinical Director
Anna originally worked for SARC from 2001-2009, first as a Sexual Assault Advocate, then Crisis Program Director and Mental Health Counselor. Anna began as the Clinical Director on January 3, 2017. Anna is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Anna loves helping people find hope in a positive future. She finds it so humbling to work with trauma survivors and see their strength and courage.
Anna originally worked for SARC from 2001-2009, first as a Sexual Assault Advocate, then Crisis Program Director and Mental Health Counselor. Anna began as the Clinical Director on January 3, 2017. Anna is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Anna loves helping people find hope in a positive future. She finds it so humbling to work with trauma survivors and see their strength and courage.
Rowan Schmieman, Counselor
Rowan was first a part of SARC as a counseling intern from 2018-2020 before they graduated from Eastern Washington University with their Master’s in Social Work degree in June 2020. Now they are back at SARC as a counselor starting July 2022. Rowan is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker Associate. Rowan finds joy in giving back to their community by helping and empowering people who are experiencing trauma. Rowan is also passionate for social change and enjoys being in a position to create change in their community.
Rowan was first a part of SARC as a counseling intern from 2018-2020 before they graduated from Eastern Washington University with their Master’s in Social Work degree in June 2020. Now they are back at SARC as a counselor starting July 2022. Rowan is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker Associate. Rowan finds joy in giving back to their community by helping and empowering people who are experiencing trauma. Rowan is also passionate for social change and enjoys being in a position to create change in their community.