Staff: Elliott VanZandt

Elliott joins friends of the children with over 13+ years of experience of working with youth. 10+ of those years were specifically working with young people struggling with mental health. Elliott is originally from St. Louis, Missouri. He started working with young people by taking a temporary position at a summer camp in northern Minnesota. When Elliott finished working at the camp, he wanted to pursue working with young people full-time. Educating, guiding, mentoring, and learning from them. Elliott has lived and moved all over the country chasing jobs with that purpose and meaning. Including working at Leadership camps, in outdoor education, wilderness therapy, adventure therapy, at a residential boarding school, and young adult transitional programs in places ranging from Missouri to Minnesota, North Carolina to Utah, and finally landing in Oregon. Recently Elliott and his wife have bought a house and have made Eugene and Lane County their permanent home. Elliott is excited to be part of the Friends team and aligns with their values, goals, and mission. Elliott is excited to mentor and work with the Children and learn and grow alongside of them.