About Phoenix School of Roseburg

Phoenix School of Roseburg was founded with a simple mission: to give students a better path forward. What began as a small alternative program has grown and evolved over the years, adapting to the needs of the community while staying rooted in its original purpose, helping students succeed in ways that traditional models often miss.

Our History

1981

Phoenix School Begins

Phoenix School of Roseburg was founded in 1981 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young people who were not succeeding in traditional school environments. From the beginning, the focus was simple: meet students where they are and help them move forward

Growth as a Public Charter School Program

As part of its broader work, Phoenix later operated a public charter
school program, expanding its ability to serve students through flexible,
student-centered education models designed to reengage learners and
support real progress toward graduation and employment. While the
charter school became widely recognized in the community, it was one
part of the larger Phoenix organization

2000s

Expanding Support for Youth

Phoenix continued to grow its programs to include GED support, credit recovery, and individualized educational pathways, helping young people build real opportunities for continued education and employment.

Workforce Development & Conservation Crews

hrough partnerships with agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix developed hands-on, work-based learning opportunities. These experiences allowed youth to gain practical skills, earn income, and contribute meaningfully to their community while staying connected to their educational progress.

Today

A Connected Pathway of Support

While the charter school program has concluded, Phoenix School of Roseburg continues forward as the nonprofit organization that has always supported youth and families. Today, Phoenix operates a connected system of programs—including Phoenix Early Learning Center, educational support services, and Phoenix WORKS—providing Vocational and Technical (VoTech) pathways that integrate work-based learning with education. By serving children, youth, and families across multiple stages of life, Phoenix is evolving into a regional hub for early learning, education support, and workforce development in Douglas County

Letter From Leadership

For more than 40 years, Phoenix School of Roseburg has been a place where young people find a second chance and families find support when they need it most.

As a nonprofit serving Douglas County, our mission has remained the same: providing childcare for families, real job experience for youth, and pathways that help people move forward.

While our charter school chapter has concluded, Phoenix continues as the organization that has always supported youth and families—steadfast in our commitment and deeply rooted in this community.

Today, our work is growing. Through our Early Learning Center, we provide high-quality childcare and enrichment for children from infancy through school age, helping parents stay employed and families stay stable. We are also expanding support for older youth through our Teen Zone, creating a safe, structured environment during critical after school hours.

Through Phoenix WORKS, we connect education with real-world experience—offering vocational and technical pathways that equip young people with practical skills, income, and direction for their future. This is not a departure from who we’ve been, but an expansion of our purpose—
supporting individuals at every stage, from early childhood to workforce readiness. 

Together We Rise is about meeting this moment—bringing our community together to strengthen programs that are already creating real, local impact every day. It’s not about starting something new, but about growing what has always been here to serve even more.

We are still Phoenix. Just serving more

Administration Team

Jennifer Taylor

Executivie Director

Since 2025

Hope Assink

Operations Coordinator

Since 2022

Alyssa Davis

Executive Assistant/Front Office Coordinator

Since 2009

Hilary Bons

HR Specialist

Since 2024

Joy Whitcomb

Program Development Director /Grant Coordinator

Since 2022

Student Services, Operation, and Corps

Camas Mauro

Early Learning Center Director

Since 2026

Eric Stauder

Youth Corps Coordinator

Since 2018

Suzie Porter

Food and Farm Corp Program Manager

Since 2024

Ben Erickson

Oregon Conservation Corp Coordinator

Since 2018

Rebecca Rose

Special Education Instructional Assistant

Since 2024

Ethan Reed

O.C.C Leader

Since 2021

August Warren

O.C.C Leader

Since 2023

Teachers

Samantha Kelley

Infant teacher

Since 2026

Kylee Shields

Toddler teacher

Since 2026

Kathie Weaver

Teacher

Since 2026

Donations