info@togethercd.org   |   (509) 662-7201

Driven by a passionate team

Led by a dedicated team committed to advancing the health, safety, and success of young individuals

Our mission is to engage & mobilize families, schools and the community to advance the health, safety, & success of our youth.

Established in 1993, TOGETHER! for Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing prevention services to Chelan & Douglas County youth.

We work to prevent substance use, bullying, violence, crime and suicide for those under the age of 18 and their families. We partner with school districts, individual schools and a large variety of community organizations to provide a variety of programs to students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Young person talking with another person.

Our Prevention Work

Together for Youth focuses on substance, suicide and gun violence prevention work using Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Framework to guide much of our work. The Strategic Prevention Framework is a five-step process designed to understand and address substance misuse and behavioral health problems and disrupt health inequities.

The five steps are:

  1. Assessment- identify needs using data
  2. Capacity- build local resources and readiness to address needs
  3. Planning- find what works to address needs and how to do it
  4. Implementation- deliver evidence-based programs and practices with fidelity
  5. Evaluation- examine the process and outcomes

Drugs,
Alcohol,
Tobacco

Suicide

Violence

Who We Are

Our Staff

Pete Teigen

Executive Director

pete@togethercd.org

Pete Teigen is the Executive Director of Together! for Youth and works to support all program areas, particularly the gun violence initiative. Pete brings many years of experience managing and leading various aspects of non-profit organizations including programs, communications, and development. He is passionate about working with youth and improving our communities. Pete attended college at Lewis-Clark State College where he received a degree in history and political science. After under-graduate school, he served two years in Peace Corps Honduras where he developed potable water systems, built community coalitions, led community health classes, and supported youth development. When he returned stateside, he attended graduate school at University of Washington where he graduated with honors with a Master of Public Administration. Pete enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time exploring the outdoors on bike, paddle board, or foot with his family and dog.

Hailey Croci

Deputy Director

hailey@togethercd.org

Hailey Croci is the Deputy Director of TOGETHER! for Youth and works in the Youth Marijuana Prevention and Education Program (YMPEP) and the Commercial Tobacco Prevention Program (CTPP) covering Chelan and Douglas Counties in the North Central Region of the state of Washington. In addition to her activities within those two programs, Hailey acts as the Wenatchee Substance Abuse Coalition Coordinator and oversees programs to prevent opioid use among local youth. Hailey has a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration, a Minor in Business Marketing and a Masters in Teaching. She has worked in the health prevention services field for over 20 years as well as having been a teacher at the elementary level. Hailey has experience in working for local county Public Health, school districts, American Lung Association and other educational institutions. Her passion for youth, health prevention and strong communities have guided her involvement and experience to be an advocate for adolescent health over the years. Hailey enjoys partnering with organizations, educators, students or anyone that desires to promote healthy outcomes for a prosperous community for all.

Alyssa Polson

Behavioral Health Program Coordinator

alyssa@togethercd.org

Alyssa Polson is the Regional Coordinator for HOPE Squad. The HOPE Squad program reduces youth suicide through education, training, and peer intervention. Alyssa is a regional liaison between schools and the HOPE Squad program within Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties. Alyssa graduated from High School in 2012 and went on to graduate College from Eastern Washington University in 2018 with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Recreation & Tourism Management Degree and a Business Administration Minor. She has previously worked in Schools, Resorts, and Park & Recreation. In addition to working with Hope Squad, Alyssa is also the Head Volleyball Coach for Waterville High School. Alyssa has a passion working with kids of all ages and loves helping students with providing the necessary means for success.

Carrie Van Lith

Waterville Community Prevention & Wellness Initiative Coordinator

carrie@togthercd.org

Carrie became our Waterville Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (CPWI) Coordinator in October of 2022.
Carrie graduated from Waterville High School in 1995. She attended Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. She has worked for many years previously with the state of Washington at The Department of Corrections doing probation/parole work and the Department of Social and Health Services as a Social Services Specialist working in Long Term care. Carrie has a passion for helping people and with her vast experience in working with substance use clients, she strives to make a difference by taking an active role as a Prevention Coordinator with the local Waterville youth and in her community.

Carrie lives in Waterville with her family and enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Leadership

Board of Directors

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Kory Kalahar

Board Member

Kory was born and raised in Wenatchee, and after college he returned to teach and raise his family. He has three children: Emma – 27 (Kris), Mackenzie – 25 (Anthony), and Carson – 22. Kory has spent his career working with the students of our  (Wenatchee) community and school district. This work helps him understand the complex issues that impact students and the challenges of growing up in today’s society.  Kory appreciates TOGETHER! for Youth’s passion for prevention in a world where we almost always respond. Prevention is the best intervention, and the programs that TOGETHER! designs have a direct impact on our students and families throughout the Wenatchee Valley. Prevention of experimentation, use, and abuse of substances have been a staple for Together’s work since the beginning, however, the impact of suicide and violence prevention and strengthening family relationships and social-emotional curriculum have grown in the couple of years.

 

Kory supports Together for Youth because he believes prevention is the most effective and wise use of resources.

Other passions include spending time with his family and kids, outdoor activities (camping, skiing, snowboarding, boating, dirt biking) and travel.

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Chad Daggett

Board Member

Chad is a certified municipal clerk and the administrative services manager for the Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council. Prior to working in local government, Chad worked at Confluence Health for 12 years in Marketing & Public Relations. In 2024, he was inducted as a Fellow into the prestigious Paul Craig Athenian Leadership Society, an esteemed international academy dedicated to municipal clerks from around the globe.

Chad supports Together for Youth because mentoring youth truly ignites his heart – empowering them to become strong and confident individuals.

Other passions include interior design, crunchy apples and gospel choirs.

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Lauren Loebsack

Board Member

Lauren is a graduate of Waterville High School and Wenatchee Valley College. She has worked for Chelan County, Lake Chelan Hospital, Link Transit and now Washington State Department of Transportation. Involved in local theater, art and conservation work.

Behavioral and community health support work at Chelan-Douglas Behavioral Health Clinic, Lake Chelan Hospital, and Columbia Valley Community Health. Grant and project development, public transit and multi modal access planning with Chelan County Public Works and Link Transit. Communications and emergency management/operations at Washington State Department of Transportation.

Lauren supports Together for Youth to repay the support and service my community provided me growing up.

Other passions include conservation, supporting local art, and fresh air (primarily via downhill skiing and trail running).

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Bethany Eichler

Board Member

As a Navy kid, Bethany bounced around the globe with her family until they settled in Cashmere, Washington at age 12, and since then she has considered the Wenatchee Valley to be “home”. After graduating from high school, again she bounced around for a while, attending college in Pennsylvania, teaching at a children’s home in Honduras, and completing law school in Tennessee. She knew she wanted her future job to be one where she could help people, especially kids, advocate for themselves, and she feels so fortunate that she gets to do that now as an immigration attorney back here in the Valley that she calls home. She has been an immigration attorney at a nonprofit law firm, the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, since 2017. Prior to that, she practiced immigration law for 3 years in Nashville, TN. She got her start as a barista (her first dream job) here in the Wenatchee Valley back in 2000.

Bethany supports Together for Youth because she believes every child deserves to grow up in a supportive and loving community with the tools to make healthy and positive decisions.

Other passions include spending time on the Wenatchee River, being an auntie, and in the company of her loved ones.

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Loretta Stover

Board Member

Loretta is a proud mother of 2 adult (married) children and “Mimi” to 4 grandchildren. She wants nothing more than to make the world a better place for them to grow up in. She strives to live by a favorite quote from Lily Tomlin: “I always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that. Then, I realized I was somebody.”  Loretta holds a Masters Degree in Education, is Reality Therapy Certified, and is credentialed as a Substance Use Disorder Professional. She as has worked in virtually every department at The Center before becoming Executive Director in 1997. She is integrally involved in Chelan County’s Drug Court program, which is truly one of her passions. She is also a member of the Association of Alcoholism and Addiction Programs and currently holds the position of Treasurer. She has served on the Together! For Youth Board of Directors since 2004.

Loretta supports Together for Youth because of the value teaching young people and their families provides in making positive and healthy decisions.

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Mario Reyes

Board Member

Bio coming soon

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Supporting youth, strengthening families, empowering communities

 

TOGETHER! for Youth is dedicated to empowering young people. We focus on fostering healthy development and reducing youth substance use through collaborative partnerships, education, and advocacy. Our initiatives aim to create a supportive environment where all youth can thrive.

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