Our history
1977 Founded by a group of local parents in Milton-Freewater. Their goal: create community-based opportunities for their adult children with disabilities through enhanced socialization and out-of-home activities.
1980s Opened first community-based group homes, welcoming residents displaced from the closing of the Eastern Oregon Training Center in Pendleton.
1990s Expanded to communities of Pendleton and Hermiston, answering the community’s call to fill the void left by other providers who closed their doors.
Today Largest single provider of residential and employment supports to adults experiencing I/DD in Umatilla County.
Leadership
Terri H. Silvis, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
“I have always been moved by people who commit their lives to the service of others. As CEO, my role is to make sure our team and those we support have the resources needed to live safely and fully, in good health. It is an incredible honor to be a part of this team.”
Dr. Silvis joined Horizon in May 2017 as CEO, bringing with her over 30 years’ experience in business and nonprofit administration, organizational management, executive leadership, finance and real estate. Dr. Silvis is responsible for ongoing operations, financial management, strategic direction and advocacy efforts. Her prior work in affordable housing forged her passion for community integration and acceptance of all people — regardless of age, abilities, or condition in life. Her history with Horizon began in 1998.
Lisandra Sepulveda
Chief Program Officer
“If it’s possible professionally – I am already living my dream. For the past 25 years I have been working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help them live their best lives and in return I learn from them resilience, acceptance, and patience. I am privileged and honored to work with a phenomenal team of people who love what they do and love the people we support.”
Lisandra joined Horizon Project in 2022 as Chief Program Officer. With advanced experience and professional development in the field of human behavior/performance, Lisandra has done everything from case management, coordination, training, and program implementation to completing person-centered behavior assessments and providing positive behavior support plans. With over 20 years of experience supporting people experiencing IDD Lisandra is charged with overseeing expanding Horizon’s support services, including residential, supported living, employment and community living.
April Martinez
Chief Financial Officer
“I feel like Horizon Project allowed me to become the person I always wanted to be and continues to give me opportunities to invest in myself, our clients and our community. I am proud to work for an organization that always puts people first!”
Ms. Martinez joined Horizon in 2004 as a receptionist in the main office. After years dedicated to caring for her family, she sought a new and fulfilling experience. She and Horizon grew together over the years. She continued her education and advanced within the organization and community. As a tenured member of the Leadership Team, she plays a crucial double role: historian and “grande dame,” providing wise counsel and strategic planning insight.
Karmen Carlson
Chief Human Resources/Safety Officer
“I love it. I’m new to the I/DD field but so happy to have found a place to call home! I feel fortunate to be on such a motivated, hard-working team that upholds a culture of creativity, respect, support, and combined success.”
Ms. Carlson joined Horizon Project in June 2020. Bringing with her a broad range of experience in a variety of industries — running a successful concrete business in Umatilla County, working with a fire suppression subcontractor in Canby, Oregon, and serving in Human Resources in both the public and private sectors, she is passionate about supporting employees.
Shannon Kelley
Director of Residential Programs
“I went to school with some of our clients; they weren’t allowed to eat lunch with the other students or even use the halls at the same time. Everyone teased them. I was sad that they were segregated. Everyone deserves dignity, respect and a voice. If I can help provide that opportunity, then I’m in the right place.”
Driven by her passion to support others, Ms. Kelley has over 25 years of service to people with I/DD in the Hermiston community, working with other providers before joining Horizon in 2000. Working with many of the same people (and in every position possible), she spent most of the last two decades in Employment and Job Development services before taking a direct care role. Her leadership skills lead her eventually to her current position as Hermiston Site Manager.
Eilleen Moore
Director of HPI STEP Center for Independent Living
“Working in an industry that supports our clients makes my life meaningful. I believe in the success of our clients even when they don’t believe in themselves. I am here to support them, advocate for them, and cheer them on in their journey.”
Eilleen came to Horizon Project to help people procure employment and learn the skills necessary to maintain their job. Having worked in this field for over a decade, she joined the Horizon team in 2017 and has held various roles supporting HPI’s employment and community living initiatives. Eilleen previously worked in the Hermiston school district at the high school level in the transition program and will oversee the evolution of Horizon Project’s Steps to Empowerment Program aka HPI’s STEP Center for Independent Living.
Deborah Dougherty
Site Manager – Pendleton
“I immediately felt a strong connection not only to the individuals we serve but to the staff as well. Over the years, I have met some truly amazing individuals with incredible and inspiring stories; I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.“
Ms. Dougherty’s commitment to people with I/DD spans 25+ years, beginning as a high school junior volunteering in a sheltered workshop. After graduation she continued in the field by providing direct care. She joined Horizon in February 2013 as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), then a DSP2. Always striving to do more and enhance services, her professional growth led her to management, first as a Residential Coordinator and then as Pendleton Site Manager.
Alison Olson,
Site Manager, Milton-Freewater
If you asked why I became a residential coordinator I would tell you it was a calling, if you asked me on a deeper level I would tell you because it’s a career that not only demands but allows me to utilize what I see as my greatest strengths and qualities, compassions, empathy, understanding, patience, an immense amount of courage both mental and physical, strength, resiliance, dedication, determination, creativity and above all the ability and the want to loose yourself in the service of others. This career test me on my strengths every single day. It forces me to grow. It encourages me to be the best version of me I can be and it reminds me that I do make a difference in this world even if it’s just ones persons world.
Ms. Olson joined Horizon in December 2020 and have been making a difference since.
Marissa Casey
Hermiston Site Manager
“I began working for HPI at age 19, and I thought that this was just going to be a “job”, but I was wrong. It has been over 6 years now and I can’t see myself going anywhere else at this point. I fell in love with the company mission, culture, and the folks that we support. I feel as if I have found my calling here with HPI.”
Tanna Ward
HPI STEP Center Manager
“I enjoy working for HPI because I get to be a part of making a difference in others’ lives, I get to be part of a process of helping others meet their goals and their dreams. Helping our clients beat the stereotype that society has put out about those with DD is something I strive to keep being the process of to help them live the life they deserve . Seeing the joy and the accomplishment that our clients achieve on a daily basis is so rewarding and knowing that I get to be a part of that is the best feeling.”
Tanna joined the Horizon team 2019 having previously worked in both behavioral and medical services. Encouraged by a friend to apply for a position as the Horizon Project Employment Manager, Tanna has found a way to merge her desire to care for others in a way that supports the complete person. She works alongside Eilleen to further the work of the HPI STEP Centers for Independent Living.
Amanda Dickinson
Operations Manager
“I have stayed with Horizon because I care about the clients, and I believe in the work we are doing. The job can be very difficult, frustrating, and exhausting, but at the end of the day it is the people that keep me coming back.”
Ms. Richardson’s commitment to people with I/DD spans 20+ years, beginning at Pendleton’s Eastern Oregon Training Center. After joining Horizon as a Direct Support Professional in 2005, she has held every role in the organization including Residential Coordinator and Pendleton Site Manager before moving to the Milton Freewater location. She is drawn to the field because she cares about the clients, loves the work, and believes in Horizon’s mission. In her tenure she’s seen many changes — including the shift from facility model to community integration.
Terra Caldwell
Quality Assurance Coordinator
“I didn’t know what I was signing up for starting at Horizon, but soon I knew I had found my calling. Working with and learning from the individuals we support is amazing. I like to make a difference, and working here I believe that I do.”
Ms. Caldwell began with Horizon Project in December of 2008 as a Direct Support Professional in Milton-Freewater. For over a decade she served as a Residential Coordinator, working in every group home, proving her abilities in direct care and commitment to quality supports. In 2019, she advanced to Quality Assurance Coordinator, a role where she shares her knowledge and experience by mentoring DSPs and Coordinators across the organization.