Staff

Paul Solomon, Executive Director

Paul Solomon moved to Eugene in 1996 to return to school and finish his undergraduate studies at the University of Oregon, where he received his BS in Sociology and graduated cum laude in 1998. He has been working for Sponsors since 2001, when he began as a case manager. In 2004, he became Director of Men’s Services where he oversaw Sponsors Men’s programs in addition to advocating for Sponsors most stigmatized sub-populations: clients with mental illness, physical and cognitive challenges, and histories of lengthy incarceration.

In August of 2007, Paul became the Assistant Executive Director and agreed to become Sponsors Interim Director of Development where he successfully worked to complete Sponsors ambitious capital expansion plans. On April 1, 2011, Paul succeeded retiring Executive Director, Ron Chase after a long-planned transition.

With an extensive background in accounting and social services, Paul brings an awareness of the inherent problems within the criminal justice system. Paul serves as President on the board of directors for the Partnership for Safety and Justice. Paul also serves on the boards of the Safety and Justice Action Fund, the Emerald Valley Development Professionals, and is the Vice-Chair of Lane County’s Public Safety Coordinating Council. Additionally, Paul serves on the national steering committee for the Inside/Out Prison Exchange Program and is a member of the Governors Reentry Council steering committee.

Paul is dedicated to creating positive systemic change; promoting public safety while fostering access to rehabilitation, education and re-entry opportunities for people with criminal histories. In his spare time Paul balances the joys and responsibilities of co-parenting four fabulous children, including a child with Autism.

Carla Ayers, Women’s Program Director

Carla Ayres is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has managed and provided recovery support services since 2001 and been in the social work field for over 12 years with the focus being on addiction and mental health. Currently, she is the Director of Women’s Services for Sponsors Inc.

Carla has also worked at the Relief Nursery Inc. in Eugene, where she successfully replicated an alcohol and drug recovery support program in two other communities. She has trained nationally and throughout the state. Carla also speaks nationally and locally to legislators and policy makers about reducing the stigma for people in recovery. She sits on several boards, the most recent being Faces and Voices of Recovery where she is the regional representative for the frontier region (which includes Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, and Idaho).

Carla completed her Bachelors of Psychology from the University of Oregon and recently completed her Masters in Social Work at Portland State University. She currently teaches Co-Occurring Disorder at the University of Oregon. She has presented at local, state, and national functions, such as the Governor’s Methamphetamine Task Force, CBS News Date Line, Faces and Voices of Recovery Conference, Oregon Public Broadcasting and The National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse, among others.

Carla is happily married and has six children. In her spare time she enjoys her family, gardening, motorcycle riding. Carla has a 3-year-old grandson that is the center of her universe.

Amy Cook, Resource Center Program Director

Amy Cook is the Program Director for the Reentry Resource Center for Sponsors. In 1997, she graduated Portland State University with a BS degree in Psychology. During her practicum at PSU, she worked with the homeless population as well as those receiving drug and alcohol treatment, with agencies such as Outside In, and Chrysalis. In addition, Amy facilitated a Women’s Studies course for those involved in the criminal justice system, which introduced the link between voice, empowerment, and improving their self esteem.

In 1998, Amy began her career in the Juvenile Corrections field, and held the positions of Assistant Treatment Manager at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, Juvenile Counselor at Clackamas County Juvenile Department, and Parole and Probation Officer at Oregon Youth Authority in Lane County. Amy is a strong advocate for providing opportunities for individuals previously incarcerated to be successfully transitioned back into the community. She believes that with a little support, guidance and encouragement, people will begin a strong foundation for their road to success.

Jennifer Jackson, Mentorship Program Director

Jennifer was born and raised on the east coast, and moved out west in 2002 to pursue a degree at Northern Arizona University in Environmental Humanities. She became passionate about the human connection to the natural world, and how nature could serve as a place of healing. This led Jennifer to study abroad in New Zealand, and continue her education with an M.A. at Prescott College in Adventure Education.

Specifically, Jennifer was working towards connecting individuals to nature who may otherwise face barriers to leisure and recreation; including adjudicated youth, adults with physical and mental limitations and/or barriers, as well as low income families. From alternative schools to youth mentoring programs to wilderness therapy, Jennifer has seen the direct positive impact that leisure can have on lives; including opportunities to build trust, enhance communication skills, increase self esteem, and be placed in situations where one may need to step outside of comfort zones, face and overcome fears, and feel accepted within a community.

Joseph Ches, Operations Manager, Property Manager Ferry Street

Joseph Ches has worked for Sponsors for ten years as the office support person. He has, since 2003, managed operations and food at Sponsors. Joseph also handles the physical donations to Sponsors: the clothes, household goods, toiletries, and appliances our clients need both in the program and when they leave to live on their own. He is the Ferry Street Quads Property Manager.

If you would like to donate new or used men’s and women’s clothing, bedding, toiletries, kitchen appliances, furniture or other household goods, email Joseph or call M-F 8:30-4:30 p.m. at 541-485-8341. Sponsors will even will pick up your donation.

Garvar Brummett, Men’s Program Director

Garvar is a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor with over 10 years experience in the field. He has worked for Sponsors since 2004 as a Case Manager,and advanced to Men’s Program Director in 2010. He case manages clients at Sponsors, and oversees our community case management program with Saint Vincent de Paul properties. He teaches Moral Reconation Therapy, a cognitive behavioral group.

Chris Swires, Finance and Grants Compliance Manager

Hired in March of 2007, Chris is responsible for the financial management of the agency. In addition to this, Chris oversees tax credit compliance and assists with property management.

Tony Meyer, Case Manager

Tony has been a case manager with Sponsors since 2004. Prior to that he was a Parole & Probation officer with Lane County for over 25 years. Tony believes that without housing or employment, ex-offenders are unlikely to succeed and that it’s the responsibility of the broader community to help people with their re-entry into our community. Tony teaches Moral Reconation Therapy, and has taught Breaking Barriers, Anger Management and employment classes. He also is responsible for initial Risk Assessments  with client. This year he led the official first planting of the garden at Sponsors. He believes that to work with people you have to care.

Bill Hogan, Veterans Case Manager and Mentorship Program Coordinator

Bill has been a Drug and Alcohol counselor for a decade; having worked at Relief Nursery and Willamette Family Treatment Services, helping pre- and post-prison individuals to overcome their addictions. He wears two hats at Sponsors — case managing the 10 men in Sponsor’s veterans program and coordinating the Mentorship Program.