Erin Carlsen
Program Director

Erin Carlsen grew up in Cannon Beach, Oregon. 
She earned her undergraduate degree in Communications
and Sociology from George Fox University, and her
Master's Degree in Sociology from Arizona State University.
She has been working in the fields of advocacy and non-profit
work for almost ten years; with 3 years in Director positions.

Erin believes in the power of connection as a means of healing.  "Mental health needs more than clinical attention; it needs light, creativity, camaraderie, expression, and community."

Carlos Jimenez
 Transitional Employment Employee

  Carlos has been a member at the Beacon Clubhouse since it’s inception in 2020. He has been a leader in developing Beacon’s Wellness Unit. He is passionate about health, exercise, and natural modalities of healing. Carlos is LiFEBoat Services’ 3rd transitional employment placement and works in the kitchen, and does building upkeep for Filling Empty Bellies. Carlos’ kind, gentle, and lighthearted spirit makes everyone around him feel smile. He is always looking for the good in every situation and is on a strong path of self-healing.

 Osarch Orak
Executive Director ​LiFEBoat Services

 Osarch was instrumental in getting the Beacon Clubhouse up and running in 2020. He volunteered for the 1st year of Beacon Clubhouse’s inception when it was still a program of NAMI Oregon. Osarch is now the Executive Director of LiFEBoat Services, which now houses both Filling Empty Bellies and Beacon Clubhouse. His lived experience with houselessness, overcoming trauma, and mental illness inspires him to offer those suffering something that he wished that he had access to when he was on the street: low-barrier resources and services for all people. His direct, honest, consistent, and compassionate leadership is what keeps LiFEBoat Services strong.    

Monica Gibbs
 Transitional Employment Employee

 Monica is a Beacon Clubhouse member and LiFEBoat Services’ very first Transitional Employment employee. She is a permanent employee of Filling Empty Bellies’ meal program and Navigation Center. She comes to LiFEBoat Services having faced, and overcome, many challenges in life. Her lived experience with houselessness, trauma, and mental illness gives her a unique ability to empathize with fellow members and Beacon and participants of Filling Empty Bellies. Monica is a mother, a partner, a survivor, an advocate, and steady helping hand to all those in need.

Katie Rook
Program Manager

Katie grew up in Upstate NY and between her time in the Army Reserves and as a traveling Physical Therapist, slowly made her way to Oregon in 2020.  Katie earned her undergraduate in Biology at the State University of New York at Geneseo and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Old Dominion University.  Katie has been working in healthcare for the past decade. Since the pandemic she has taken a career pivot to now join us at Beacon Clubhouse as Program Manager.  Katie believes in the importance of community and connection in navigating mental health. "To know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here.  This is to have succeeded". 

"No need to hurry, no need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but yourself."
                                                                    - Virginia Woolf