Our Staff

Founders

One cannot talk about Penrith Farms without talking about Jim and Sherry Brewster. Jim Brewster went to Vietnam in 1965 and served two tours as a Helicopter pilot. When he returned in 1967 he met Sherry Philipet and together they decided to dedicate their lives to helping others in need. Their first project together was The China House which operated as a voluntary crisis intervention center for adolescents and adults with behavioral and substance abuse problems in Marin County California from 1968 until 1971. Servicing Marin County, The China House provided temporary free shelter, food, and counseling for more than 6,000 individuals. With their success at The China House, Jim and Sherry decided they wanted to provide their services to a wider population in a rural setting. Together they moved to Eastern Washington and founded Penrith Farms.

In 1983 they began providing foster care services for adolescents for the State of Washington. In 2000, Jim and Sherry decided to provide services to a wider population and in 2003, Penrith Farms evolved into a Young Adult Program the needs of the private sector in the United States and Canada.

Penrith Farms employs a unique collection of highly qualified individuals who are dedicated to helping young adults improve their lives, through empowerment, encouragement, positive role modeling, and a focus on future direction.

Core Staff

Jeremy Hastings
Operations Manager

• Masters of Public Administration
• B.A. History
• B.A. Philosophy

Phone: (509) 671-7518
E-mail: jeremy@penrithfarms.com

Denny Vandermause
Lead Counselor

• Master of Science Social Work (MSSW) and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
• 30+ years experience working with adolescents and families in crisis or transition

Phone: (509) 499-0184
E-mail: denny@penrithfarms.com

Heather Green
Program Manager & Counselor

• B.S. Applied Psychology
• Counseling, Developmental, Educational degree
• Licensed/Registered Hypnotherapist
• 14 years experience as a Mental Health Professional

Phone: (509) 671-7607
E-mail: heather@penrithfarms.com

Ron Rhodes
Residential Staff Supervisor

• B.S. Human Resource Management
• 13 years experience as a Propmaker/General Foreman in the Motion Picture Industry
• Ron leads a team of eight residential staff in providing 24/7 supervision for our clients.

Phone: (509) 447-4888
E-mail: ron@penrithfarms.com

Alicia Best
Organic Gardening Supervisor

• B.A. English Literature/Minor in Philosophy
• 2 year Certificate Herbal Medicine Nutrition & Organic Gardening
• Alicia leads a team of three garden staff and supervises residents in providing an abundance
•  of organically grown produce.

Support Staff

In addition Penrith Farms employs staff to provide services to the community such as  transportation, animal care, landscaping, maintenance and recreation plus teachers of art, cooking, baking, computer skills, music,  woodworking,  and a host of other classes.

The ratio of employees to residents exceeds one to one which allows residents to connect to at least one if not more role models or mentors to identify with.