OUR TEAM

The Olympic Neighbors Team

The Olympic Neighbors’ Board of Directors meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm. Meetings are hybrid (in person and Zoom). If you would like more information or are interested in attending a meeting, please contact olympicneighbors@gmail.com.

Board of Directors

  • Al Latham was the former Treasurer of Olympic Neighbors and has been part of the effort to create home and community for adults with developmental disabilities for several years. He worked for the Jefferson County Conservation District for 20 years, helping landowners deal with environmental issues and improve salmon habitat. Al has been a carpenter, chimney sweep, farmer, and world traveler among other things. He and his family live in rural Jefferson County where his hobbies include gardening, motorcycling, and helping friends and neighbors. Having an adult family member with special needs has inspired him to work on providing exceptional living situations and programs for adults with developmental disabilities.

  • Brittany Charrier has recently moved back to Jefferson County after spending 3 years in Alaska while pursuing a Ph.D. in Marine Biology. She is excited for the opportunity to finish her degree remotely and be able to re-immerse herself in the Jefferson County community. In addition to previously volunteering with Olympic Neighbors, she has volunteered as a basketball coach for Special Olympics and has volunteered and worked as an after-school tutor for students of all ages. She has experience with fundraising and small event planning. Brittany is grateful to be a new member of the Olympic Neighbors’ board and to be part of such a passionate and meaningful organization and community.

  • Amy grew up in Jefferson County and recently relocated back to Port Townsend after 15 years in Madison, WI. A desire to live closer to family was the main motivator for making the cross country move one more time. Amy is sister to a person with IDD and her firsthand experience with the challenges of finding a safe, and supportive, living environment for a loved one with IDD inspired her to join the board of Olympic Neighbors. Amy has worked professionally as a librarian for the past 15 years.

    In her downtime she enjoys spending time with her family, working on garden projects and exploring the amazing Olympic Peninsula with a fresh perspective.

  • Randy Rosens specifically came to Port Townsend, from Austin, Texas, in search of a community that provided dedicated support to all factions of its citizens, especially our neighbors with disabilities. He found these virtues in Olympic Neighbors. He has a long history of involvement in the cultivation of volunteer run public service nonprofits, from food rescue to recreational opportunities for the underserved. Randy has been blessed to be able to pursue these passions, welcomed and supported in many collaborative successes. He is grateful to be currently active with Gathering Place, Sk0okum, the Port Townsend Food Bank, and Keep Port Townsend Fed. They, together, weave a fabric of strong impact to our rich community.

  • Jim Ott and his wife, Marianne, are parents of a 53 year old son, Joseph, who has moderate to severe Autism. Jim has served in the Navy and worked for Boeing as a machinist and machine shop supervisor. He has been involved in leadership roles and has been responsible for managing non-profit corporations with 100K to 500K budgets, developing short and long term business plans to fit budget goals, and hiring and directing personnel to meet those objectives. Jim has also served as a board member for Camp Beausite N.W. for 14 years, Camp Director for 1 year, and Board President twice.

  • Having a brother with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Gary knows how impactful IDD organizations like Olympic Neighbors can be for both residents and families.

    As a retired ordained Protestant minister serving in administrative leadership, Gary brings extensive executive non-profit management experience. He has served on hospital, university, and national social services boards, including one that developed an extensive network of IDD homes in the upper Midwest. Given ON's track record, he is interested in exploring additional locations within Jefferson County to serve even more individuals.

    Gary is a graduate of the UC Berkeley School of Journalism, with Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity (Causa Honoris) degrees from North Park Seminary in Chicago. He and his wife Nancy relocated to the area from Palatine, IL to be closer to children and grandchildren. In addition to family time, he plays tennis and golf, and soaks in the beauty of our area. Nancy volunteers in Chimacum schools with a focus on students whose first language is not English.

  • Matt Mahan moved to Port Townsend in 2006 from Homer, Alaska. He has been involved with Special Olympics Basketball since then and during COVID has missed working with people with special needs. He found Olympic Neighbors to continue working with that community. He has volunteered with both Jefferson County Parks and Rec as a coach and youth programs as well as with East Jefferson Fire and rescue as a volunteer firefighter/EMT. Matt has a Structural Integration practice in Port Townsend and divides his time in Alaska where he commercial fishes in Cook Inlet with his family. Matt and his wife Becca have two boys and the four of them spend their down time on their farm.

Staff

  • Claudia Coppola is the Executive Director for Olympic Neighbors. She is a native to the east coast who moved to Port Townsend after falling in love with its small town charm during a recent visit. She has her masters degree in social work and over a decade of experience in nonprofit management. She has spent the last 18 years working with people with developmental disabilities, seniors and people experiencing homelessness in Florida, Georgia and California before ending up in Washington. She is committed to empowering others and fostering positive change one person at a time. When she is not working, she enjoys music, books, being outdoors and traveling with her partner and two pups.

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  • Traci offers a ”hands on” approach to help empower staff and residents to embrace their strengths. She has worked as a Resident Manager in a variety of settings for over 15 years with teens who have experienced trauma. "I have always enjoyed working in a home environment and am very happy to have this opportunity."

    Traci is also obtaining her Holistic Nutritional Certification, as working with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables is a passion of hers. She enjoys juicing and is eager to use local, organic produce from farms in our community to make delicious juices with the residents.

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  • Theresa was born and raised in the cornfields of Indiana. She began her work in healthcare at 19 as a CNA. She pursued a degree in Clinical Laboratory Science and for the past 30 years that's what she's been doing.

    She moved to Port Townsend in 2013 and when the pandemic hit, like many healthcare workers did-she burnt out. She left lab work and went home to her husband, 5 kids and 3 huskies.

    After 2 years of decorating cakes at the local Safeway, she went where her heart was leading, back into direct care. Since working with Olympic Neighbors, she's felt her soul come alive again, and truly feels like she is where she is supposed to be. Making a difference in the lives of others.

  • Amber grew up in Northern Canada on a Bison ranch as a child. Amber spent a lot of time with her Aunt Sarah, who had a developmental disability and lived in an adult family home when the family could no longer care for her. Amber saw firsthand the wonderful care her aunt received, how she could be a contributing citizen and live a full and dignified life. Amber always knew that she wanted to help people and truly believes that giving back to your community is the cornerstone of living a full life.

Board of Directors

  • Al Latham was the former Treasurer of Olympic Neighbors and has been part of the effort to create home and community for adults with developmental disabilities for several years. He worked for the Jefferson County Conservation District for 20 years, helping landowners deal with environmental issues and improve salmon habitat. Al has been a carpenter, chimney sweep, farmer, and world traveler among other things. He and his family live in rural Jefferson County where his hobbies include gardening, motorcycling, and helping friends and neighbors. Having an adult family member with special needs has inspired him to work on providing exceptional living situations and programs for adults with developmental disabilities.

  • Brittany Charrier has recently moved back to Jefferson County after spending 3 years in Alaska while pursuing a Ph.D. in Marine Biology. She is excited for the opportunity to finish her degree remotely and be able to re-immerse herself in the Jefferson County community. In addition to previously volunteering with Olympic Neighbors, she has volunteered as a basketball coach for Special Olympics and has volunteered and worked as an after-school tutor for students of all ages. She has experience with fundraising and small event planning. Brittany is grateful to be a new member of the Olympic Neighbors’ board and to be part of such a passionate and meaningful organization and community.

  • Amy grew up in Jefferson County and recently relocated back to Port Townsend after 15 years in Madison, WI. A desire to live closer to family was the main motivator for making the cross country move one more time. Amy is sister to a person with IDD and her firsthand experience with the challenges of finding a safe, and supportive, living environment for a loved one with IDD inspired her to join the board of Olympic Neighbors. Amy has worked professionally as a librarian for the past 15 years.

    In her downtime she enjoys spending time with her family, working on garden projects and exploring the amazing Olympic Peninsula with a fresh perspective.

  • Randy Rosens specifically came to Port Townsend, from Austin, Texas, in search of a community that provided dedicated support to all factions of its citizens, especially our neighbors with disabilities. He found these virtues in Olympic Neighbors. He has a long history of involvement in the cultivation of volunteer run public service nonprofits, from food rescue to recreational opportunities for the underserved. Randy has been blessed to be able to pursue these passions, welcomed and supported in many collaborative successes. He is grateful to be currently active with Gathering Place, Sk0okum, the Port Townsend Food Bank, and Keep Port Townsend Fed. They, together, weave a fabric of strong impact to our rich community.

  • Jim Ott and his wife, Marianne, are parents of a 53 year old son, Joseph, who has moderate to severe Autism. Jim has served in the Navy and worked for Boeing as a machinist and machine shop supervisor. He has been involved in leadership roles and has been responsible for managing non-profit corporations with 100K to 500K budgets, developing short and long term business plans to fit budget goals, and hiring and directing personnel to meet those objectives. Jim has also served as a board member for Camp Beausite N.W. for 14 years, Camp Director for 1 year, and Board President twice.

  • Having a brother with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Gary knows how impactful IDD organizations like Olympic Neighbors can be for both residents and families.

    As a retired ordained Protestant minister serving in administrative leadership, Gary brings extensive executive non-profit management experience. He has served on hospital, university, and national social services boards, including one that developed an extensive network of IDD homes in the upper Midwest. Given ON's track record, he is interested in exploring additional locations within Jefferson County to serve even more individuals.

    Gary is a graduate of the UC Berkeley School of Journalism, with Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity (Causa Honoris) degrees from North Park Seminary in Chicago. He and his wife Nancy relocated to the area from Palatine, IL to be closer to children and grandchildren. In addition to family time, he plays tennis and golf, and soaks in the beauty of our area. Nancy volunteers in Chimacum schools with a focus on students whose first language is not English.

  • Matt Mahan moved to Port Townsend in 2006 from Homer, Alaska. He has been involved with Special Olympics Basketball since then and during COVID has missed working with people with special needs. He found Olympic Neighbors to continue working with that community. He has volunteered with both Jefferson County Parks and Rec as a coach and youth programs as well as with East Jefferson Fire and rescue as a volunteer firefighter/EMT. Matt has a Structural Integration practice in Port Townsend and divides his time in Alaska where he commercial fishes in Cook Inlet with his family. Matt and his wife Becca have two boys and the four of them spend their down time on their farm.

Staff

  • Claudia Coppola is the Executive Director for Olympic Neighbors. She is a native to the east coast who moved to Port Townsend after falling in love with its small town charm during a recent visit. She has her masters degree in social work and over a decade of experience in nonprofit management. She has spent the last 18 years working with people with developmental disabilities, seniors and people experiencing homelessness in Florida, Georgia and California before ending up in Washington. She is committed to empowering others and fostering positive change one person at a time. When she is not working, she enjoys music, books, being outdoors and traveling with her partner and two pups.

  • Traci offers a ”hands on” approach to help empower staff and residents to embrace their strengths. She has worked as a Resident Manager in a variety of settings for over 15 years with teens who have experienced trauma. "I have always enjoyed working in a home environment and am very happy to have this opportunity."

    Traci is also obtaining her Holistic Nutritional Certification, as working with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables is a passion of hers. She enjoys juicing and is eager to use local, organic produce from farms in our community to make delicious juices with the residents.

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  • Amber grew up in Northern Canada on a Bison ranch as a child. Amber spent a lot of time with her Aunt Sarah, who had a developmental disability and lived in an adult family home when the family could no longer care for her. Amber saw firsthand the wonderful care her aunt received, how she could be a contributing citizen and live a full and dignified life. Amber always knew that she wanted to help people and truly believes that giving back to your community is the cornerstone of living a full life.