Meet the B2B Team

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Home > MESD Schools & Programs > Bars to Bridges > Meet the Team

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​From: Texas
Education: Master's degree, University of Texas

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Christine Otto
Project Director
cotto@mesd.k12.or.us

"The success of our youth is critical for both that youth and our broader community. Everyone benefits when we support educational attainment."

​Christine has worked with youth for over 20 years as a classroom teacher, building administrator and program administrator. She feels passionately about education, the touchstone of her career. Christine seeks to ensure every youth has the opportunity to achieve academic success. Outside of work, Christine loves to explore the outdoors and read good books.

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From: Oregon​
Education: Master’s degree, Portland State University

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Aketi
Transition Specialist

“Pursuing education is a powerful and effective way to reduce recidivism and increase life success.”

Aketi seeks to inspire students to achieve their dreams by encouraging them to discover their skills and push beyond their challenges through consistent encouragement, creativity,  mentorship, and positive role modeling.  She worked in juvenile detention with incarcerated youth before joining B2B. Aketi enjoys cooking, biking and spending time in nature.

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From: Brooklyn, NY
Education: Associates degree, Nassau Community College
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Amanuel
Transition Specialist
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“I'm here to show students they can achieve anything with a little hard work.”
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Amanuel supports youth by focusing on their personal hopes for the future to help them pave a clear path to their academic goals. He worked with justice involved youth for 12 years before joining B2B. Amanuel enjoys spending time with his family, working out, and venturing outdoors.
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From: 
Education: Electronics Theory, Delta College

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Anthony
Transition Specialist
​"I I want to help educate incarcerated youth with all the opportunities they have available. I also want to emphasize that this moment in time does not need to define them."

Tony has been fortunate to have a wide variety of work and life experiences and is happy to share with others who might benefit from his knowledge. Tony has nearly a decade of experience working in education with transition aged youth needing volunteer work experiences and who seek employment, as well as youth needing transition support from a long term care and treatment psychiatric facility. In his free time, Tony looks forward to home time with his wife and 2 children, updating the house and yard, and watching college football. GO DUCKS!!​

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From: Washington
Education: Master's degree, George Fox University
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Carly
Transition Specialist
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"I cater my approach to the specific needs and strengths of each youth."
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Carly fosters advocacy and creativity for youth and the community partners of B2B. She worked in youth corrections before joining B2B. She approaches each client with unconditional support and encourages them to have confidence their ability to reach goals. When not at work, Carly spends time outside with her dog, likes to draw, read and watch basketball.

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From: Oregon
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Grand Canyon University

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Charles
Family and Work Lead Transition Specialist

​“My goal in working with youth is to get them engaged in school.”

Charles encourages students to use their strengths. He thinks incarcerated youth are often misunderstood. His previous work with youth was at Portland Public Schools. He likes to play basketball when he’s not chasing his spirited daughter around the house.
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From: Oregon
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Portland State University

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Hannah
Community Relations & American Indian/Alaska Native Lead Transition Specialist

“I introduce academic resources and build strong relationships to ensure the youth I work with feel supported.”

​Hannah advocates for youth and with them, creating an atmosphere of opportunity. She actively seeks community resources that make a systematic change in the lives of youth and their families. Hannah has served youth at organizations such as Outside In, Schools Uniting Neighborhoods and develops diversity equity and inclusion curriculum for SoValTi. Her other passions include kayaking, surfing, boogie boarding and collecting too many houseplants. 

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From: Arizona
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Portland State University

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Micaella
Senior Transition Specialist & Professional Learning Lead

“Education is an important aspect of our lives and I want to encourage others to pursue it.”

​Micaella strives to help students actualize their potentials after leaving detention. She discovered her passion for youth services when she was a camp counselor for Portland Parks and Recreation. Micaella enjoys D.I.Y. projects and watching baseball with her family.

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Nathanyel
Transition Specialist
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From: Oregon
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Oregon State University

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​Sidonia
Transition Specialist

“I'm looking forward to bringing stories of resiliency to students.”

Sidonia connects students with school activities that inspires their participation in school. She encourages students to be engaged in their communities. Sidonia worked in public health before joining the B2B team. She loves getting outside to garden, hike, or to go on road trips. She also recreates crafts from Pinterest.

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​From: Washington
Education: Master's degree, Western Washington University
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Christy Lucus
Data & Communications Specialist
clucus@mesd.k12.or.us

“I feel strongly about working to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline and supporting access and equity in education."

​Christy works to be a positive resource, advocate, and team member, to make a difference for youth in their education and beyond. She was a school counselor for nine years, leading the development of many different programs. Christy loves music and plays guitar, piano, and ukulele. She enjoys family outings like hiking and day trips.

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