About Us

Vision:  All teens in the Willapa Harbor communities will be healthy, safe, and valued. 

​Mission: We will support and strengthen teen mental health and reduce substance use by creating community connections, promoting pro-social activities, and providing access to and increasing the utilization of resources. ​

​The Teen Advocacy Coalition (TAC) serves North Pacific County from Bay Center north, including the Raymond, South Bend, and Willapa Valley School Districts. TAC formally began in 2010 as a small, grassroots effort initiated by a few concerned parents and service providers. The mission was to coordinate efforts to address youth substance use and to promote good mental health. A survey of 7th-12th graders in the three local school districts identified the primary issues as alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana.

TAC supports teen peer helper programs in the three school districts, bringing teens together. Extensive training is provided so these teens can serve as advocates and resources for their peers. TAC also funds school and community based prevention consultants which provides a law enforcement officer in each school district to increase enforcement of laws/policies relating to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The officers engage students to provide education, support, and offer available resources. 

TAC provides and/or supports many programs and events for both students and the community as a whole. These include Red Ribbon Week, National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, Sources of Strength, After Prom Party, Guiding Good Choices, Second Step, Youth Mental Health First Aid, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), Only 7 Seconds, National Night Out, 5K Color Run, Movie Night, and Holiday Party. 

TAC meetings are held the second Monday of every month with the board meeting at 2:00 pm and the coalition meeting at 3:30 pm. Committees meet as needed and report out at monthly meetings. 

Coalition Staff

Lyndsey Owen, Project Director
Paul Karnatz, Coordinator
​Lifeline Connections, Fiscal Agent

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Executive Board

Bethany Barnard, Chair
Liliana Ayala-Silva, Vice-Chair
Kathryn Staats, Secretary
Dawn Wright, Treasurer
Jesse Eastham, Member at Large
Nichole Page, Member at Large
Jessica Verboomen, Member at Large
Pattie Goedker, Member at Large
Logan Macomber, Member at Large
​Zoe Sowa, Immediate Past-Chair

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Sector Representatives

Becca Manlow, Business
Emily Popovich, Civic/Volunteer Group
Shelly Lev, Healthcare Professional
Rikki Coma, Law Enforcement
Gabrielle Jordan, Media
Cassandra Nichols, Parent
Paul Turner, Religions/Fraternal Organization
Nichole Page, School
Gracie Minks, State/Local/Tribal Government Agency
Jessica Verboomen, Other Substance Use Organization
Juan-Luis "Bubba" Rangel-Anderson, Youth
Toni Gwin, Youth-Serving Organization