Our Mission
The mission of the Jefferson Teen Center is to empower tri-area teens through socialization, enrichment activities, resources, and mentor support in an inclusive, safe environment.
​
​
​
​
​
Our Vision
The Jefferson Teen Center will be a collaborative and adaptive organization supporting opportunities for teens to grow in self-advocacy, empathy, and fulfillment thereby enriching their lives and community.
​
​
Meet our Staff and board:
Eden Blooms (she/they) - Director
Eden brings a decade of experience as an educator, community advocate, and public health practitioner to their role as Director of the Jefferson Teen Center. With a Bachelor’s in Ethnobotany and a Master’s in Population Health and Public Health, Eden’s work bridges the healing power of land-based knowledge with human-centered approaches to wellness and equity.
​
Eden played a key role in launching The Nest and developing its resource navigation programs, including harm reduction initiatives. Additionally, Eden created The Hook, Jefferson County’s youth and young adult resource guide. Their research and teaching focus on ending teen suicide through community building and addressing homelessness with empathy and systemic insight.
​
As a queer Sephardic person of color living in Cascadia, Eden’s lived experience - including being disabled with two chronic pain conditions, mental health challenges, and being an at-risk teen - deeply informs their leadership at the Teen Center. They are committed to creating inclusive, trauma-informed spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and empowered.
​
Eden’s work is rooted in the One Health model, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental wellbeing. At the Jefferson Teen Center, they continue to cultivate belonging, resilience, and radical care.
Daisy Janes (she/they) - Associate Director
I have been involved with the Jefferson Teen Center since the fall of 2023 and stepped into the position of executive coordinator in October 2024. As executive Coordinator, I work alongside Kel Ashcraft, the Executive Director, to provide strategic oversight for the Jefferson Teen Center and ensure the effective management of resources, programs, and community partnerships.
I am deeply passionate about supporting the young people of Jefferson County to grow and thrive. I bring a positive, upbeat attitude to my work with youth, and prioritize their voices and perspectives in decision-making for the Teen Center.
As a full-time student at Peninsula College, a local farmer in Jefferson County, and a staff member for the Jefferson Teen Center, I am deeply rooted and invested in my community. In my spare time, you can find me gallivanting through the abundant nature surrounding our peninsula, nose-deep in a good book, or working in my garden.
Darian Clark (she/they) - Associate Director
​
​I have an Associates in Environmental Science and Forestry, with experience working in outdoor education as a park ranger with The National Park Service, and with the Forest Service, maintaining and improving recreational infrastructure, educating the public on safe and responsible use, and contributing to the sustainable management of forest resources and visitor opportunities.
I currently design and run engaging activities that center youth voices and restorative justice practices. From talk circles to job training and special events, I ensure programs are impactful and meaningful. I also oversee youth and volunteer engagement, mentor teen leaders, and help create a safe, welcoming environment where every teen feels they belong. I have a hands-on approach that enables me to build relationships within the Teen Center.
I have been living on the Olympic Peninsula for three years now, and have grown to cherish the community I have here. When I’m not at the Teen Center, I enjoy making art, cuddling my cats, working out, reading, and spending time with my friends in cozy settings, or out and about enjoying the many splendors of the peninsula.
​​Board of Directors:​​
Marci Smith Jones (she/her) - President
John Anderson (he/him) - Treasurer
Dr. John Barrett (he/him)
Kel Ashcraft (they/them)
Daisy Janes (she/they)​​
Jeff Jones (he/him)
Christian Sales (he/they) - Youth Representative
