Shayna Miller is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Addictions Counselor III. She earned her Master's degree from Naropa University in 2000 and has worked with juveniles for over 20 years. Ms. Miller has extensive experience working with juveniles with substance abuse challenges, sexual offending behaviors and survivors of trauma. Shayna is trained in EMDR levels 1 and 2. Ms. Miller is also an affiliate faculty at Regis University in the Division of Counseling and Family Therapy.

Mike Phillips joined AHFY in June 2014 to serve as the CFO/Business Manager for the Organization. Prior to joining AHFY, Mr. Phillips spent many years in banking providing trust and investment management services in Colorado, Arizona and California. Mr. Phillips graduated from the University of Colorado, moved to Greeley in 1987, and has served on numerous community and non-profit boards.

Emily Griffith received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, emphasis in Community Rehabilitation from the University of Northern Colorado. Mrs. Griffith began her career with Alternative Homes for Youth in 2010 as an Intern then was hired as Direct Care staff for the Post Graduate Program. She was then promoted to leadership team and is also the agency’s Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Trainer. Mrs. Griffith oversees the program for Post Graduate clients that are beginning their reintegration into the community by attending college, practicing sober living, developing life skills, and creating new community connections. She is the agency’s liaison with many community collaborations including Weld Food Bank, Wise Acres and Aims Community College.

Tonya earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Colorado Christian University in 2010 and a Master’s degree in Special Education from Concordia University in 2015. She has been a licensed Professional Educator for ten years, having taught and tutored all grade levels kindergarten through the twelfth grade in both private and public education settings. In addition, she is a certified handwriting specialist and received training in supporting students with dyslexia in the general education classroom. She is passionate about differentiating instruction for all students, utilizing assessment data to inform instructional methods, and maximizing learning outcomes through the delivery of high quality standards-based instruction.

Lydia graduated in August 2021 with her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regis University and has a Bachelor's Degree in Literature and Classics. She sees counseling as the process of telling our stories, knowing ourselves more fully, and practicing more skillful coping that can help us live in alignment with our values. Lydia brings her experience mentoring young adults and providing clinical care to adolescents and individuals in recovery from substance use, and approaches her work with a compassionate, collaborative stance.

Charlotte Cotter has a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health from the University of Denver. Charlotte earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science with a double minor in Law and Sociology. Charlotte comes to Alternative Homes for Youth with experience in acute psychiatric care for adolescents, drugs and alcohol, suicidality, and trauma. Charlotte completed two internships: one at Denver Health and another within Denver Public Schools prior to joining the team at AHFY. Charlotte utilizes a strengths-based and client-centered approach when working with youth and their families to empower them in achieving their goals.

Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Temple University. She then went on to complete an Alternative Teaching Licensure Program in 2021, becoming a certified 7th-12th grade teacher in both Family and Consumer Science and Science Education. Jennifer has worked with youth in a variety of settings for the past 8 years. She has tutored students from elementary school through college level as well as worked in mental health settings with various age groups. She is passionate about teaching and mentoring youth to help them learn and grow to become the best version of themselves.

Shania Garcia earned her undergraduate degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Northern Colorado in 2020. Ms. Garcia continued to expand her knowledge in the system and earned her Master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Northern Colorado in 2022. Ms. Garcia started at Alternative Homes for Youth working as a Behavioral Health Specialist and then transitioned into the Post Graduate Program Coordinator where she designed a community-based program for the youth. Shania is now working as the Back-End Program Manager where she oversees the milieu as well as providing direct supervision to her team.

Kimberly Wallace earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Northern Colorado in 2004 and her Master’s degree in Psychology at Walden University in 2013. Ms. Wallace has been working with juveniles for over 17 years. Kimberly has worked for Alternative Homes for Youth since 2005 in various capacities including Youth Advisor, Team Lead, Supervisor and her current position, Case Manager. Through the past several years Ms. Wallace has expanded her expertise by offering support services for youth transitioning to independent living. Her program is outlined in the Outpatient Services tab. Kimberly was promoted to Program Manager in March of 2022.

Support Services Coordinator

Human Resources/Administrative Assistant