Hello! I’m Lauren. I am a Portland native, and love living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I have worked with children and families for the past 15 years and recently transitioned from working at the Swindells Resource Center to Help Me Grow. I really enjoy connecting with families and helping them find the support and/or resources they need. Other things that keep me busy are parenting my two girls, pets, hiking, travel, reading and playing around with art.

Greetings and salutations! I’m Lotus, a passionate team member who is enthusiastic about supporting families and community members on their journeys. I hold a B.S. in Communication studies, with a focus on intercultural and interpersonal communication. I come with lots of experience and training in compassionate communication and creative problem solving. I feel enriched when connecting with others.

Outside of my role with Providence, I am one of the founders of a local Portland plant business called SymbiOp, I’m an avid reader, gardener, and meditator, and I live in an intentional community in SE Portland.

My passion is to be a blessing to others around me. I am a wife to an amazing husband. I am a mother to 3 amazing young adults and a grandmother to 5 beautiful children.

Many paths and struggles in life have brought me to a place where I can be a blessing to others through the wisdom I have learned from my life’s experience.

Live life to your fullest my sweet friend!!

For the past 20 years I have had the honor and privilege of serving families in our community. I recently joined the Help Me Grow team and it’s been fulfilling to connect families to valuable resources.

I really enjoy spending time with my family, whether it is playing games, or cooking/baking.

Hello! I’m Shany. I hold a B.S. in psychology. I have experience working in mental health settings and providing family-based treatment. I enjoy working and supporting children and their families.

In my free time, you can find me serving my local community and volunteering. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, creating art, and traveling.

Hello! I’m Willow. I have worked with children and families for years, as preschool teacher, and as a nanny. I find great joy in watching the way children perceive the world and helping them flourish! I have worked with children of all ages and abilities, as well as their families, and found that I have a deep love for helping people. Mr. Rogers once said “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” My goal is to be one of those helpers, and I am thrilled to be in a position that is made just for that, in the Help Me Grow program!

In my personal life, I can often be found exploring nature with my daughter, reading while surrounded by my cats, or working on DIY projects with my partner. I am also currently in enrolled in college, working on a bachelor’s in psychology with an emphasis on child psychology!

Bio and Pic Coming Soon!

Hey! I'm Rachel, a Southern Oregon native and love living here! I hold an Associates of Applied Science in Human Services and am hoping to return to school this year to complete my Bachelors in Social Work. I love finding little adventures to take my 6 year old son on, sweater weather, and exploring new places to get a delicious coffee!

Ben has over a decade of experience in children’s acute psychiatric treatment, specializing in trauma and early intervention. After a pivot to work as a project manager, he is back in Human Services and is combining what he's learned in his two careers to spread the reach of Help Me Grow throughout Oregon. Ben’s passion has always been in helping others and he aims to reach as many underserved communities as possible through HMG.

You can often find Ben playing games with family and friends, cooking, or between his two cats, enjoying a book.

Email: benjamin.vondran@providence.org 971-323-1562

I’ve had the joy of serving children and families for over 20 years - as an elementary school teacher, resource specialist, parent educator, family coach, and mentor. I have a passion for bridging resources and finding solutions to barriers for families so they can receive the supports they need. In my spare time I love playing games, exploring different foods, and spending time with my family.

Fun fact: I used to own a bubble tea food truck!

Email: michelle.tae@providence.org 971-232-9700

I have been blessed to serve the spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental needs of families for over 20 years. I have more recently been privileged to join the passionate, capable team of caregivers at Help Me Grow.

In addition to spending quality time with my wife and two daughters, and practicing my faith in Jesus Christ, I enjoy time on the golf course (especially if I am playing reasonably well).

Email: dallas.brock@providence.org 971-358-3171

Hello my name is Madison. I have a passion for helping the community and connecting with others. I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and my dog. I love hiking, eating different foods and all things involving soccer!

Email: madison.hairston@providence.org 971-358-3213

Patricia has over 40 years working with young children with and without disabilities and families in the field of early childhood education. Patricia holds a B.A. in Early Childhood and a M.Ed in Special Education from the University of Nevada. She holds an Oregon teaching license and is an ORO Master Trainer. Patricia currently serves on the State Interagency Coordinating Council and is a FACT Oregon Board member.

Patricia has three grown children and four grandchildren, where one grandchild experiences Autism.

Email: patricia.cavanaugh2@providence.org 503-498-7110

Joseline has a passion for serving children and youth with special health needs. She earned a PhD in Kinesiology with a focus in Adapted Physical Activity and an MPH in health Promotion and Health Behavior. The focus of her research and service has been to empower children and youth with disabilities and their families. Growing up she noticed the discrimination against children and youth with disabilities in the school and in the community, which made her passionate to serve as their ally and advocate. Joseline also holds an MS in Animal Science and worked at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute on cancer research.

She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Email: joseline.raja-vora@providence.org 503-215-2400 Ext 52471