People First of Washington Membership
People First of Washington membership means working together, participating in and supporting the community, speaking up for your rights, educating yourself and others, helping each other and having fun.
Adams County
Contact People First.
Click to see contact info at right.
Asotin County
– Clarkston
– Grangeville
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Benton County
– Tri-Cities
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Chelan County
Contact People First.
Click to see contact info at right.
Clallam County
– Sequim
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Clark County
– Battleground
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Columbia County
Contact People First.
Click to see contact info at right.
Cowlitz County
– Longview
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Douglas County
Contact People First.
Click to see contact info at right.
Ferry County
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Franklin County
– Tri-Cities
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Garfield County
Contact People First.
Click to see contact info at right.
Grant County
– Moses Lake PENDING
Contact People First.
Click to see contact info at right.
Grays Harbor County
– Aberdeen PENDING
Contact People First.
Click to see contact info at right.
Island County
– Oak Harbor
– Whidbey Island
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Jefferson County
– Port Townsend
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
King County
– Seattle
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Kitsap County
– Bremerton
– Poulsbo
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Kittitas County
– Ellensburg
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Klickitat County
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Lewis County
– Chehalis
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Lincoln County
Contact People First.
Click to see contact info at right.
Mason County
– Shelton
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Okanogan County
Contact People First.
Click to see contact info at right.
Online Chapter
– Online
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Pacific County
Contact People First.
Click to see contact info at right.
Pend Oreille County
Chapter pending. Contact People First.
Click to see contact info at right.
Pierce County
– Tacoma
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
San Juan County
Contact People First.
Click to see contact info at right.
Skagit County
– Mount Vernon
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Skamania County
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Snohomish County
– Everett
– Stanwood
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Spokane County
– Spokane
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Stevens County
– Chewelah
– Colville
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Thurston County
– Olympia
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Wahkiakum County
Contact People First.
Click to see contact info at right.
Walla Walla County
– Tri-Cities
– Walla Walla
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Whatcom County
– Bellingham
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Whitman County
– Pullman PENDING
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Yakima County
– Yakima
Click on map to show
info under "Chapter Locations"
column at right
Chapter Locations
Adams County
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Asotin County
Click on listings for more info
Clarkston People First
PENDING Advisor: Christi Collins
Email: mulishagirl84@hotmail.com
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Grangeville People First
Advisor: Gerald Lucas
Email: lucas7919@msn.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Benton County
Benton County People First
Advisor: Jennifer Nice
Email: jenniferin223@gmail.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Tri-Cities
Kennewick
Chelan County
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Clallum County
Click on listings for more info
Clallum
Student First
For information, contact:
Email: craig@pfow.org
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Clark County
Southwest Washington People First
Advisor: Katrina Boik
Email: katrina.boik@gmail.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Columbia County
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Cowlitz County
Cowlitz County People First
Advisor: Tiffany Ames
Email: tiffany.ames80@gmail.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Douglas County
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Franklin County
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Garfield County
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Grant County
Moses Lake PENDING.
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Grays Harbor County
Aberdeen PENDING
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Island County
Island County People First
Advisor: Diane Fesler-Macaluso
Email: pmmdfm@cablespeed.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Jefferson County
Jefferson County People First
Advisor: Shay Kaushagen
Email: shay@pfow.org
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
King County
King County Champions People First
President: Eric Matthes
Advisor: Emily Fung
Email: emilyf@multiculturalfamilies.org
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
King
County Champions People First
President: Eric Matthes
Email: ericmatthes1@gmail.org
Advisor:
Kyle Matheson
Email: kgmath16@gmail.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Kitsap County
Kitsap County People First
(Poulsbo)
Advisor: Kimberly Adams
Email: theaddamsfamily93@gmail.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Kittitas County
Click on listings for more info
Kittitas
County People First
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Ellensburg People First
Advisor: Ronnie Jo
Email: ronniejo@elmview.org
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Klickitat County
Southwest Washington People First
Advisor: Katrina Boik
Email: katrina.boik@gmail.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Lewis County
Lewis County People First
Advisor: Paula Wind
Email: paulawind14@gmail.com
P.O. Box 668, Chehalis, WA 98532
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Lincoln County
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Mason County
Mason County People First
(Shelton)
Advisor: Patty Osier
Email: patty@pfow.org
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Okanogan County
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Online Chapter
Online Chapter of People First
Advisor: Julie Clark
Email: clarkjulie208@gmail.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Pacific County
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Pend Oreille County
Chapter pending.
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Pierce County
Pierce County People First
(Shelton)
Advisor: Tanika Aden
Email: taden@wapave.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
San Juan County
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Snohomish County
Click on listings for more info
PEOPLE FIRST GROUPS:
Snohomish
County People First
Advisor: Kylie Walsh
Email: Kylie@arcsno.org
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Stanwood/Camano Island People First
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
STUDENT GROUPS:
Marysville Student First
For information and a location nearest you, contact:
Email: craig@pfow.org
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Skagit County
Skagit Valley People First
Advisor: David Wilder
Email: davidwilder02@yahoo.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Skamania County
Southwest Washington People First
Advisor: Katrina Boik
Email: katrina.boik@gmail.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Spokane County
Click on listings for more info
PEOPLE FIRST GROUPS:
Spokane
Lilac People First
Advisor: Katherine Titus
Email: awhirley@yahoo.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
STUDENT GROUPS:
Rogers
Pirates Student First
For information, contact:
Email: craig@pfow.org
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
SCC
Images Student First
For information, contact:
Email: craig@pfow.org
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Project
Search Student First
For information, contact:
Email: craig@pfow.org
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Nine-Mile
Student First
For information, contact:
Email: craig@pfow.org
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
East
Valley Knights Student First
For information, contact:
Email: craig@pfow.org
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Star
Student First
For information, contact:
Email: craig@pfow.org
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Stevens County
Click on listings for more info
PEOPLE FIRST GROUPS:
Lake
Roosevelt People First
Advisor: Angela Ward
Email: blsangela@yahoo.com
Advisor: Ken Bensimon
Email: kenbensimon@me.com
Advisor: Rhiannon Barton
Email: bartonsmile@gmail.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Chewelah
People First
Advisor: Rita Bryant
Email: Shelbydog_53@hotmail.com
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Thurston County
Thurston County People First
Advisor: Cody Cohan
Email: cody@pfow.org
Website: www.fumcoly.org/
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Wahkiakum County
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Walla Walla County
Tri-Cities People First
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Whatcom County
Whatcom County People First
Advisor: Ken Larson
Phone: (360) 441-0104
Phone: (360) 738-2060
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Whitman County
Palouse People First
Call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Yakima County
Yakima County People First
Advisor: Jack McEntire
Email: chainsaw.jack@charter.net
Or call People First of Washington at:
253-999-7222
Member Gallery
Former Board President
Former Board Member
Katrina Boik
Katrina served as Interim Online Coordinator, as well as being an advisor.
Shane Cody Fairweather
Shane served as Region 1 Representative from 2019 to 2021.
Bill Fale
Bill was actively involved with People First of Washington for over 30 years, joining the organization right out of high school. He was a chapter president, chapter advisor, regional representative on the Board of Directors, as well as State Board President. He also worked with young leaders within the Student First clubs in Marysville.
He is also a talented cartoonist, and designed lots of People First of Washington swag over the years.
Larry Hill
Larry served as Board Historian from 2018 to 2021.
Kyle Matheson
I am Kyle Matheson and have been involved with People First for over 40 years. I have served in many roles, including Chapter Advisor, Chapter President, and State President. I live in Seattle and have been living on my own for many years. Since my return to the Seattle area from Olympia, I have been involved in my community. I currently serve as the Advisor for the King County Champions Chapter. I am a Member of Self Advocates in Leadership and an Umpire for the Northwest Little League. I also previously served on the Arc of King County Board for 10 years.
Tiras Javan Smith
My name is Tiras Javan Smith, but I go by Javan. I served as Board President and Past President from 2015 to 2021. I am from Spokane, Washington, where I grew up in a loving family wrought with issues that involved the legal system. I didn't get to meet my father until he got out of jail when I was 19.
School was difficult for me. I felt really judged and couldn't do the work in the classrooms, but when I was put into special education classes, I didn't learn anything. I struggled with wanting to drop out but stayed in and graduated.
As a person who identifies as black but has a condition of albinism, people don't always understand or respect my identity. My racial and disability status are a part of me but not acknowledged by others.
I got hired by People First of Washington based on my leadership skills within their Student First program. I became a Student First Trainer in high schools for two years. I am the youngest State Board President in People First of Washington history, elected when I was 23 years old. I am a devoted dad of three. In 2020, I received the Lifetime Advocacy Award which was presented with the following quote from me, "Don't let people tell you that you can't do it, cause look at me, I proved them wrong."
Leigh Spruce
Leigh served as Board Secretary from 2018 to 2021.
Cody Wells
Cody served as Board Vice President from 2018 to 2021.
Memorial Wall
Jay Fazekas
A beloved friend and committed People First community member, Jay passed away suddenly on Friday, March 17, 2023. As a member of the Everett chapter, Jay had served for People First of Washington in multiple ways, including as Board Treasurer from 2018 to 2021, and as an interim Region 3 representative. He loved Special Olympics and worked for AquaSox baseball. He is survived by his wife and parents. He was strongly attached to his People First family, and his light heart and frequent laughter will be sorely missed by those who knew him. Check back for information on details about a service.
Tony Hall
Tony Hall was a Region 4 representative. He was an amazing friend and awesome self-advocate and will be sorely missed.
Tony's Memorial Facebook Page:
PBS video:
(After play, hit “F” for full screen)
Kathryn Chadbourne
Kathryn Chadbourne of Vancouver, Washington passed away in November of 2020. She was loving and caring with a soft-spoken spirit. Read more about her here:
Kathryn Chadbourne
Shannon Benjamin
Shannon was elected Region 2 representative last year and unexpectedly passed away in late March of 2020. Her death is a huge loss to our community. She considered People First members her family. She'll be missed and never forgotten.
Shannon's Memorial Facebook Page:
Shannon Benjamin
Howard Applington
Howard Applington of Clarkston passed away on September 24, 2020. Read his obituary here:
Warren Holmes
Warren Holmes was placed into the community when Interlake closed down. He worked at Arby's for 8 years. He was passionate about old music, specifically 45’s vinyl records. He owned thousands of records, which he knew everything about, when it was recorded, who recorded it when it was a hit and for how long.
Warren remembers coming into the community. He says how scared he was, he had no life skills, and it was a hard journey, but it was all worth it. He says of all the things that was the greatest event. He said “it was like being released from prison, it was awful.” He says “I never did anything wrong but they locked me up anyway.”
People First of Washington
P.O. Box 11953
Olympia, WA 98508
Access the People First
Zoom Room here:
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