SPYS Team
DR. TRACINE ASBERRY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Location: Minnesota
Dr. Asberry is a former elected member of the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) Board of Education, where she prioritized community outreach, best practices, and achieving excellent, equitable outcomes for all students. Tracine taught English/Language Arts at an MPS middle school for nearly 10 years, during which time she earned her Master’s in Education from the University of St. Thomas (UST). She completed her doctorate in Critical Pedagogy at UST as part of her Bush Leadership Fellowship. Dr. Asberry is a past director of the African American Academy for Accelerated Learning in St. Paul, has taught at local college and university Teacher Preparation Programs for 5 years and was appointed to the Board of School Administrators by former Governor Mark Dayton. Tracine grew up in Detroit, Michigan as the youngest of 8, and is the proud mother of three. Click here to learn more about Dr. Asberry.
PROGRAM Team
Behavior Intervention Program (BIP):
RICHARD HAMMONDS
Program support Specialist
Location: Minnesota
A quote that inspires my work at SPYS:
“Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts”
– Winston Churchill
Pre-Charge Diversion :
LORI ROBERSON
Pre-Charge DivErsion CRISIS CoORDINATOR
Location: Minnesota
A quote that inspires my work at SPYS:
“Young people need models, not critics….”
– John Wooden
YouthPowerMediaMN℠
KYRA HUGHES-BESTER
YouthPowerMediaMN℠ Co-Facilitator
6-Word Story: Leading youth in the right direction.”
OCTIVIOUS DOE
YouthPowerMediaMN℠ Co-Facilitator
6-Word Story: Strong, positive, and uplifting the community
ADMINistrative Team
ELIZABETH CAVANAUGH
Accountant Consultant
Location: Arizona
All children deserve opportunities to become their best selves regardless of the color of their skin and/or where they come from. When we help in this way our entire community becomes a better place. I want to be part of making children and community happy and healthy.
ELLEN DAVIS
GRANTWRITER Consultant
Location: Minnesota
What drew me to SPYS is the way SPYS flips the normal script on youth programs- like the YouthPowerMN vision of changing systems instead changing kids- and the way SPYS challenges adults to change our own practices to champion youth.
JULIA MOFFIT
Youth Programs & Resource Development Plan Manager
Location: Minnesota
“It is important for our youth to know the power for change they hold. SPYS gives these youth the programming and room for creativity to do so.”
ELIJAH NORRIS-HOLLIDAY
Community Consultant
Location: Minnesota
A quote that inspires my work at SPYS:
“The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.”-African Proverb
SHEILA REGAN
Marketing & Social Media consultant
Location: Minnesota
A friend referred me to the work of St. Paul Youth Services, and, since 2018, I've been inspired by the organization's mission and the creative, powerful youth we partner with.
AARON SOULE
BOOKKEEPER consultant
Location: Minnesota
I admire, respect, and align with SPYS values, and fully believe that the sky is the limit with each youth. My heart is in the work of SPYS, knowing that the vision is to offer hope and opportunity to all youth. The youth of St. Paul have something special in SPYS where no matter their background or past situations, there is a team devoted to their success who are there to coach, cheer, and hold them accountable as they achieve their goals. Although my role is behind the scenes, I consider it a privilege to serve on a team with our highly skilled program members who are deeply passionate about working with our youth.
WILLIE SUTTLE
Facility Maintenance Provider
Location: Minnesota
I've had the pleasure of providing services to SPYS for many years, beginning back in 1987. That's when SPYS was located on Marshall near Snelling Avenue in St. Paul and before it moved to Arcade Street, then it's current location on Wilson Avenue. In addition to maintenance services, I've worked with hundreds of youth completing community services through the SPYS Diversion program. I will ALWAYS have fond memories of my affiliation with SPYS.