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Dyan
Foster - Executive Director
It has been said that Dyan Foster, Executive Director of Routes
For Youth, is the number one advocate for Sonoma County teenagers.
Foster may be the backbone of the agency, along with the help
from the Board of Directors, but she feels that the youth are
the most important part of the structure.
“Routes For Youth is supposed to empower young people; I'd
like to see it run by young people,” Foster says.
And Dyan's actions speak as loud as her words. A graduate of Sonoma
State University, Dyan studied film and philosophy in college,
creating her own major: Ethical Media. Her desire was to become
a documentary filmmaker. In 1985, Dyan was offered an opportunity
to get a Teen Theatre program off the ground. She accepted the
challenge and with a handful of bright teenagers, Dyan started
the company in her living room — Teens Teaching Through Theatre
was born. The young Drama Company began performing regularly at
various teen venues in Sonoma County. In 1988, as word of the
successful teen program spread throughout the county, the organization
began receiving increasing support from community funders, businesses,
and individuals. It was with this support from the community that
Foster moved to incorporate T4 as “Routes For Youth”
and launch the highly acclaimed Teen Court program.
In 1995, Sonoma County's Press Democrat published an article,
"Acting Out Of Integrity," about Dyan Foster and the
work she does with young people. The article describes her as
the “prop-master”, sound-effects creator, stage manager,
lighting technician, producer, director, and den mother"
of T4. As if that were not enough, Dyan is also in charge of running
the business of Routes For Youth when she is not busy overseeing
the Teen Court program. From the news article: "The goal
of these programs is to allow young people to have a positive
impact on their peers." says Foster. “It's better when
the message comes from them, rather than from adults.” Dyan
also says, “My first priority is to sustain the viability
of this agency, but I also want to make sure it has a life beyond
me.”
In 1992 Dyan received the “Woman of Color Humanitarian Award”.
Dyan also works hard to enjoy her life away from work. When not
working, Dyan likes to spend time with her husband and her three
very active children. A model for others, she is dedicated and
committed, working diligently to provide better lives for the
youth of Sonoma County.
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Rong
Torres - Office Manager
I was born in Dandong, China. Coming from another culture I am impressed by the enthusiasm, self sacrifice and compassion demonstrated by the staff at Routes For Youth.
I am a third year law student at Empire College. Upon my graduation, in 2006, I look forward to being actively involved in the teen court process.
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Carnelius
Quinn - Theatre Director 
I am a San Francisco native, recently transplanted to Sonoma County. I’ve been performing in community theatre since I was 12, and while I always loved school theatre,
something was always missing. After doing the typical musicals we all do in High School - namely Oklahoma! and The Wiz, I thought I was done
with theatre. Apparently, theatre wasn’t done with me. I went to San Francisco State University, and earned a double BA in Sociology and Theatre Arts - focusing in play
development and performance. My combination of majors allowed me to write some of my own theatre, perform in classical (predominantly Shakespearian) dramas as well as in "experimental"
theatre, and explore the connections between the Arts and our social consciousness. It is with my knowledge of how theatre has empowered and shaped social movements that I come to Routes For
Youth. A program that believes in the voice of youth, provides a platform for their expression, and cultivates the tools to make youth a resource for their peers is undoubtedly the foundation for the
change we wish to see in our communities. Teens Teaching Through Theatre (T4) is much more than a “performance troupe”. It is a collective of youth taking back the power of their words
- and fighting the popular notion that activism and the Arts are "un-cool". A lot of these guys are more talented than half of the performers I've seen in professional productions, and
even more aware of what's going on in their communities. I am just excited about the opportunity to help them bring their words and experiences to life on the stage.
Email:
cquinn@routesforyouth.org.
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Sean
Roney - Coordinator & Tech Manager
My
relationship with the agency started back in 1997 where I
volunteered under the Teen Court program as an attorney. I
stayed involved and eventually tailored my senior service project
to include Route for Youth.
In
July of 2002, I began my employment. Since becoming a case
manager here at Routes for Youth, I have been active in over
300 cases. My job has truly shaped the person I am today.
I have had the opportunity to meet people of all walks of
life. I have completed seminars in Street Gangs and Terrorism,
Mental Health, and Behavioral programs. I have also been recognized by the SQUIRES members at San Quentin for service. When I first started
in 1997, I never dreamed that this agency would become so
integral to my life.
I
recently graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor's of Art. In the fall of this year, I will be moving to Washington DC to attend Washington College of Law at American University.
Email: sean@routesforyouth.org.
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Roxanne
Nelson-Ripa - Case Manager 
I am a Sonoma County Native, multicultural and bilingual. After
graduating High School in 1996, my interests led me to further
my training. Certifications include: youth development,
street gangs and terrorism, mental health and behavior.
Having
the position of Teen Court Administrator and Case Manager
at Routes for Youth is satisfying and I truly feel blessed.
We are fueled by the belief that youth can and do equal HOPE.
All of the staff and support personnel are amazing, we are all marching
ahead united by this common goal.
Email: roxjaz_rfy@hotmail.com.
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Nick Mallonee - Teen Court Coordinator
Santa Rosa native, connoisseur of fine food and dirty beats, Nicholas McRae Mallonee, aka ‘Nick’ is both boon and bane to Routes for Youth. Though classically trained by leading experts in the fields of Sociology and Psychology while attaining his multiple Bachelors of the Arts certifications at the University of California at Los Angeles, he trains hard to keep his sense of humor at a pedestrian echelon in order to facilitate the ongoing positive influence he exerts on our youthful clientele. After his in-depth enough exploration of the fine UCLA campus, Nick relocated to Santiago, Chile to attain a Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate while teaching at a low-income high school there. After successfully, admirably, and nobly completing this daunting task, Nick returned to Santa Rosa in early 2005, which is where history was made when he fortuitously chanced upon a small, haphazard contingent of dedicated superheroes that he came to call, affectionately, ‘Routes for Youth.’ The name stuck, and today it still strikes both fear and admiration in those that hear it whispered among the street urchins and footpads that wander the streets of this great country. Because they know that every day, every hour, and every nanosecond, Nick and the rest of the dedicated staff are relentlessly pursuing a new paradigm in facilitation and rehabilitation of the youths fortunate enough to cross their path.
Email: nick@routesforyouth.org.
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