About Us
Heart of Oregon Corps (HOC) is a non-profit agency founded in 2000 by David Holmes, Dan Saraceno, and Dennis Maloney
with the goal of reducing poverty, stimulating economic growth, and maintaining the natural environment of Central Oregon.
HOC collaborates, not competes, with many private non-profits and government agencies. Our agency is committed to
operating with minimal administration and overhead costs, and as such, hosts AmeriCorps VISTA members to increase
organizational capacity. HOC employs and trains highly effective staff and is supported by an active board representing Central Oregon.
Staff
David P. Holmes, Executive Director
David Holmes has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Park College, Parkville, Missouri.
After 35 years of service, David retired from the United States Army in 1994 as a Command Sergeants Major.
He has worked in juvenile justice for the past 10 years. David is the founding director for the Heart of
Oregon Corps and serves as a board member for Bend's Youth Challenge Program. He has also served on the
Advisory Board for numerous Boys and Girls Club chapters throughout the nation. David has grown the
organization from 2 youth crews running full-time, to 4 youth crews running full-time across the tri-county area.
David also helps to oversee a community collaboration of up to 20 youth crews in the summer
working under the auspices of the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps.
Dan Saraceno, Education Coordinator
Dan Saraceno has a Master of Social Work from Portland State University and a Masters in Educational
Counseling from Pacific University. He has over 15 years teaching youth and is responsible for
coordinating the alternative school program for the Heart of Oregon Corps. Dan currently serves
as a part-time counselor at Sisters High School and works part-time as the Education Coordinator
for the Heart of Oregon, and also manages a Youth Transition Program grant for students with disabilities.
He works with each individual youth to develop an education plan that the youth can complete while
participating in the Heart of Oregon youth education and employment program.
Laura M. Handy, Program Manager
Laura Handy has a Master of Arts in Transformative Leadership from
California Institute of Integral Studies as well as a Bachelor of Arts in
English Rhetoric from University of Puget Sound. She has 7 years
experience working with youth and young adults in a variety of non-profit
programs such as the YWCA, Meet the Wilderness, and Seneca Center. Laura
is developing the Civic Justice Corps / AmeriCorps program at Heart of
Oregon Corps, drawing upon her experience of implementing 4 other pilot
programs. Laura is also a NOLS Outdoor Educator graduate, and enjoys
integrating outdoor education into HOC programming as much as she can get away with.
Josh Schaffer, VISTA Employment Coordinator
Josh Schaffer has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota.
He is currently serving with the Heart of Oregon Corps as a volunteer through the AmeriCorps VISTA program.
As Employment Coordinator for the Heart of Oregon AmeriCorps program, Josh is working to create a
sustainable job placement plan that will ensure successful, lasting employment for graduating members.
Board of Directors
| Executive Committee / Term | Organization Represented | Geographic Area |
Judy Trego, President
January 2009 | Northern Light Work | Tri-County |
Jeff Lichtenberg, Vice-President
January 2009 | Community Justice
Director | Jefferson County |
Steve Swisher, Treasurer
January 2009 | Crook County School District
Superintendent | Crook County |
| Directors / Term |
David Holmberg
January 2009 | Marshall High School
Administration | Deschutes County |
Mike Carter
January 2009 | Timber Industry
Business Sector Donor/Volunteer | Tri-County |
Mike Daly
January 2009 | Board of County Commissioners
Commissioner | Deschutes County |
Arlene B. Gibson, J.D.
January 2009 | Foundations That Make
A Difference
Founder & CEO | Tri-County |
Steve Welbourne
January 2009 | State of Oregon - Spiritual Advisor | Tri-County |
The Heart of Oregon Corps is a member of the Corps Network, which is the leader of the national Corps community
promoting growth, quality, and sustainability of Corps.
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