Staff
The Young Women’s Resource Center has a full-time staff of passionately dedicated people who make sure our mission is carried out every day. These are the people who bring the Young Women’s Resource Center to life and who carry out its programs and objectives.
Staff
Sierah Bougher
Sierah is our Childcare Supervisor. She oversees our childcare program as well as the literacy curriculum implemented during care.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Marcia Bradley
Marcia is our Art Therapist and specializes in creative counseling techniques. She provides voluntary and confidential counseling services for our girls and young women in schools and at the YWRC.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Elhondra Brazzle
Elhondra is one of our Empowerment Program Specialists. She actively prepares for and facilitates Empowerment Groups within the schools and at the YWRC, including our Black Girl Magic group.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Ayo Davis-Yeboah
Ayo is our Counseling and Program Support Specialist. She provides individual and group counseling at the YWRC, schools and community organizations. Ayo also supports both the Empowerment and Young Moms Programs by facilitating groups as needed.
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Sy'Anne Dysart
Sy'Anne is one of our Empowerment Program Specialists. She prepares for and facilitates Empowerment Groups within the schools and After School groups at the YWRC.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Gary Elliston
Gary is one of our Transportation Specialists. He ensures our participants get safely to and from YWRC groups and programs.
Pronouns: He/His/His
Tony Jackson
Tony is one of our Transportation Specialists. He ensures our participants get safely to and from YWRC groups and programs.
Pronouns: He/His/His
Joyce Levingston
Joyce is Senior Program Director. She oversees the coordination and administration of all aspects of YWRC’s programs (Counseling, Empowerment, and Young Moms). Joyce supervises, trains, and leads the program team members.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Berenice Liborio
Berenice one of our Empowerment Program Specialists. She prepares for and facilitates Empowerment Groups within the schools and After School groups at the YWRC.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Susana Martinez
Susana is our part-time Volunteer Coordinator. She coordinates and schedules volunteers for childcare, participant meals, and Y-Dub Club projects. Susana also organizes in-kind donations and drives.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Julia Mason Gray
Julia is the Senior Director of Development. She is responsible for leading and managing fund development activities including major donor and legacy giving. Julia is also the lead of annual YWRC fundraising events.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Jennifer Mesecher Ogg
Jenny is our Finance, HR and Data Director. Jenny manages the YWRC finances, including overseeing the entire organizational budget. She also manages the program results database.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Erin Moran
Erin is our Senior Director of Communications and External Affairs. She is responsible for all of the YWRC's marketing and communication efforts and oversees the External Affairs team. She is also the lead for community special events.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Sarah Myren
Sarah is our Young Moms Program Manager. She facilitates parenting and life skills groups, as well as individual support for our young moms, in addition to leading our Young Moms team.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Liliana San Elias
Liliana is our Office and Transportation Manager. She provides administrative support, office and building management, and reception duties. Liliana also coordinates transportation to and from the YWRC so participants can attend programs and access resources.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Mary Carmen San Elias Martinez
Mary Carmen is an intern from the University of Northern Iowa working towards her bachelor's degree in Public Health and Education: Women's Health. She assists the Young Moms team and works with the Childbirth Education Group and summer programming.
Pronouns: She/Her
Jewelz Smith
Jewelz is the Young Moms Program Specialist and Doula Coordinator: Childbirth Educator, Doula, CLS. She actively prepares for and facilitates Young Moms Groups within the schools and at the YWRC, provides clients with individual support, and coordinates our Better Beginnings Doula Program. Jewelz is also certified to provide breastfeeding support.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Irma Tello
Irma is our Bilingual Empowerment Program Manager. As the lead of the Empowerment team, she oversees all aspects of the program and guides their team goals. Irma also facilitates Empowerment Groups within the schools and at the YWRC, including our Mariposa group.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Christine Tucker
Christine is our Young Moms Specialist - Postpartum and Parenting. She plans and facilitates groups for pregnant and parenting young people onsite and in school-based settings. Christine also provides support with financial literacy, access to educational opportunities, accessing community resources and general support with parenting skills.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Brenda Vasquez
Brenda is our Bilingual Young Moms Specialist: Child Birth Education. They provide direct programming and support for parenting and pregnant young moms at the YWRC and in Greater Des Moines schools.
Pronouns: They/She
Brooke Westphalen
Brooke is our Fund Development Manager. She is responsible for coordinating and acquiring grants and sponsorships. Brooke also manages our database and supports a variety of development initiatives.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Kari Zimmerman
Kari is our Executive Director. She leads all staff and is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers