Meet The Team

Ben first walked into the Yellow House in 2012 as a weekly volunteer in the after school program. In 2019 he began as co-director. His passion is to see youth experience the love of Jesus, the joy of learning, and the beauty of God's creation. He is also a real estate appraiser, coffee snob, trail runner, aspiring baker, and proud father and husband.

Tara volunteered at the house for years before becoming a director in 2019. She daily blesses the ministry with her attention to detail, eye for beauty, and wise discernment. When she's not solving all of the students' problems or paying the bills, she enjoys painting, reading, helping her friends organize, and a good caramel oat milk latte. She loves being Mom to Judah and Hannah, her favorite Westside kiddos. 

Responding to a church presentation about Westside in 2012, Karen visited the house, fell in love with the kids and directors, and has not missed many Wednesdays since then. It makes her heart sing when the kiddos conquer a bible verse, math problem, or learn how to read.  She loves doing genealogy research and quilting. She is Yaya to seven, almost eight grandchildren (four of whom live on adjacent property to theirs) and her husband Rick enjoys being their Goober.

Sandi is in her first year of serving on the Westside board, but is no stranger to the West Medford community.  She taught at Washington Elementary for 32 years before retiring in 2022, and is still enjoying substitute teaching and mentoring students.  She loves fostering relationships with students and families, and continues to stay connected with them through the years.  She is passionate about seeing students grow in their confidence and love of learning, and being able to share the love of Jesus with them in practical ways.  Sandi loves walking, running, gardening and most anything outside.  Her husband, Rob, and their two sons are the loves of her life.

Jen has fond memories of attending a home based bible club in elementary school and what it meant to experience a loving, Christ-centered space off campus.  She has been a public school teacher in the valley for over 20 years.  This, coupled with her passion for fostering community and supporting kids and parents made joining the WCM Board this past year an exciting undertaking. Outside of work, Jen is engaged with her large family, serving in women’s ministry, loving the outdoors, and practicing slowing into God’s presence.

Alex is proud to be a southern Oregon native, born and raised. As a boy, he helped his mom with a Church based afterschool program, called “Shepherd’s Kids.” It was that experience that opened his eyes to the need and powerful blessing a program like WCM is having in West Medford. Alex is married, with three beautiful energetic kids, and works locally as a Fire Captain. He has spent many years helping out at youth programs with local churches, and has found the greatest joy in showing God's grace and compassion to those around him. When not working or chasing his kids around. Alex loves being outdoors, working on projects and helping is wife run a small local business.