Who We Are

Mission and Vision

YouthBASE equips children in K5-2^nd grades and their families to build the child’s behavioral, academic, social and emotional competencies so they may succeed at school, home, and in the community.

We envision a community where all children succeed. Success to us means that children have age appropriate behavior and social/emotional capacities/opportunities and grade level academic proficiency to experience success at school, at home and in community.

Performing at or above grade level academically
Age appropriate behavior (respectful, polite, good communication skills)
Age appropriate social skills and ability to positively express emotion
Emotionally supportive environment
Strong families build strong children

Location

YouthBASE is located in two strategic Greenville locations:

YouthBASE Downtown
813 Hampton Ave.

YouthBASE Judson
103 S. Texas Ave.

Schools Served

AJ Whittenberg
Stone Academy
Hollis Elementary
Welcome Elementary

Staff

Linda Tassie

Executive Director

Linda has been involved in YouthBASE since 2008 as a community volunteer followed by volunteer coordinator. She was appointed Executive Director in August 2010. She has extensive experience working within the education system,including 12 years of home-based schooling and local Title 1 schools.

Linda has over 25 years of experience working in community-based organizations. While providing leadership and vision for the YouthBASE organization she writes grants, builds working relationships and collaborations within the community, recruits volunteers and businesses to be involved with YouthBASE.

Linda has a passion for working with children and families. She brings to YouthBASE a renewed commitment to partnering with families, educators and community agencies in order to provide children with holistic support. She participated in The Diversity Leadership Institute and is a Riley Fellow, Spring class XIX.

Logan Chandler

Café de Madres Coordinator

Logan Chandler is excited to coordinate Cafe de Madres this year! She is a Charleston native who learned Spanish in Chile, but now calls Greenville home. She was a school counselor for three years and loves everything related to children and families! She spends most of her time chasing her two children, and fits in her favorite hobbies reading and hiking when she can.

Kiana Binns

Program Director

Kiana is from Greenville and graduated from Winthrop University where she studied Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Studies. She was a summer intern at YouthBASE in 2017. She has always loved working with children and found her passion for non-profit organization after spending the summer at YouthBASE. Kiana is excited to join YouthBASE, work in the Greenville community, and learn more about non-profit world!

Tisha Smith

Teacher

Tisha has been with YouthBASE since September of 2015, working with the Kindergarteners and now the first graders. She volunteered in several capacities for many years in the schools during the time her three sons were attending. Upon moving to Greenville, she knew that she wanted to work with children and is so excited to be on staff at YouthBASE. In her spare time, she loves to be outside, especially biking and running. She is finishing her Certificate in Early Childhood Development at Greenville Tech, and sits on the Boards of both Newcomers of Greater Greenville and Project Host.

Thelma Bigsby

Teacher

Thelma Gossett-Bigsby has over 30 years experience working with children in Greenville. She enjoy reading, telling stories, walking, and cooking (sometimes). She is married to Kenneth. They are parents to one son, Brandon; one grandson, Benjamin; and one dog, Eazi. She has had the pleasure of being the teacher/librarian at the following elementary schools: Ellen Woodside, Crestview, Alexander, and Brook Glenn. She is eager to help students at Youth Base.

Allen Hellenga

Development Director

Allen Hellenga is non-profit professional who has worked as Program Manager and Development Director in Greenville for 12 years. Allen holds a Finance and Management degree from the University of South Carolina as well as a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Winthrop University. He contributed to the development of strategic goals and objectives, wrote proposals, grants and reports while working to diversify sources of income for the organization. Allen enjoys two wheel machines (bicycles) and spending time with his family.

Sharon Alias

Site Director

Sharon is from Georgia where she graduated with a degree in Community Health and Human Services and a certificate in Nonprofit Management. She now lives in Anderson, SC with her husband. Sharon has six years of experience in the nonprofit and education world. Her passion is to serve the underserved and she is excited to pursue that through YouthBASE.

Kristen Thigpen