Staff: Joel Erickson

Joel Erickson joined Friends - Lane County in May of 2022. Joel has over a decade of experience working with youth in various capacities. He started early, working with youth groups right out of high school. While playing music semi-professionally throughout his 20s, he worked in daycares, summer camps and retreats, and provided music lessons and occasional respite care. He is passionate about community building and engagement and has experience with community activism and outreach, including work with houseless youth. Joel then moved into education, working in after school programs before landing a full-time role at Hamlin Middle School in 2016. He spent the next 6 years there working in behavior in different roles. While this work presented many challenges, he quickly grew to love working with these kids and appreciated the growth brought about by relationship-centered strategies. Joel looks forward to continuing this kind of work with Friends Lane County.

When not working, Joel loves getting out in nature, spending much of his free time hiking and camping. He also enjoys music, art, cooking, reading, writing, and believes that everything is interesting if you ask the right questions.