Yayas

• The mission of YaYAS of Citrus is to provide youths and young adults experiencing homelessness a safe place to sleep, shower, study, and store their belongings.

• Our vision is a future generation of self-sustaining adults who are meeting their goals and connecting with their community as productive members of society. Our goal is to disrupt the cycle of generational poverty and homelessness by catching these young people before they have a chance to fail.

Meet our Executive Board

Shaunda Burdette – President

Shaunda Burdette has been a community leader in Citrus County for 17 years. Her passion for students and families encompasses her meaningful contributions in all aspects of her work. In her latest role as Executive Director for the Citrus County Education Foundation, the enormous impact on the school community is imparted to present and future generations. Shaunda’s example of love for family is evident and apparent in her personal and professional life.

Victoria Thorp, SRAS – Vice President

Born and Raised in Citrus County, FL., loving all things water-related and keeping me in the beautiful Florida sun, I am a mother to three handsome & loving sons. I have an A.A. degree from CF and recently re-enrolled to pursue an RN degree. I currently work at a local non-profit, Aspire Relationship Center, as the Lead Educator (Guest Speaker)/Public Speaker and have for over 8 years (volunteering for one year before hire) for a total of 9+ years. My skills and expertise come not only from my education and job experiences beyond what’s mentioned above but also from overcoming many adversities and obstacles in life. I am an advocate for youth and families across the board. My hobbies and passion outside of all the above is being near and with horses. One day I would love to own a farm or property where I can spend quiet time connecting with my horses and if all goes well, I would love to do equine therapy where people can visit me, or I can bring the horses to hospitals, nursing homes, rehabs, schools etc. My life slogan is “Get into, what you’re into, by any means necessary” Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to start off by volunteering, we all have to start somewhere.

Rueben Warrior – Treasurer

I am Rueben, and my journey through life has been marked by a diverse array of experiences and achievements. I proudly served in the United States Army, committing myself to multiple tours of duty in both Kosovo and Iraq, where I learned the values of dedication and service to my country. In 1999, I pushed myself to the limit and successfully completed the rigorous Special Forces Assessment and Selection program, a monumental achievement that put my determination and mental fortitude.

During the Iraq invasion in 2003, I had the honor of serving with the 3/69 Armor of the 3rd Infantry Division, where our unit distinguished itself with exceptional valor. Our unit was awarded The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), a testament to the extraordinary courage and dedication displayed by our team during that critical time.

Following an honorable discharge from the military, I embarked on a path of continued personal growth and knowledge acquisition. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree from the esteemed Florida Southern College, achieving the distinction of graduating Cum Laude. This educational milestone serves as a clear testament to my unyielding dedication to self-improvement and academic excellence.

My dedication to public service persisted as I embarked on a career with the Florida Department of Agriculture, where I worked diligently as a Health Inspector, ensuring the safety and well-being of my community.

Beyond my professional pursuits, I have a passion for long-distance hiking, and I’ve achieved remarkable feats in this arena. In 2019, I conquered the challenging 2600-mile Pacific Crest Trail, followed by the Arizona Trail in 2020, the Colorado Trail in 2021, and the iconic Appalachian Trail in 2022. These journeys allowed me to cover over 8000 thru-hiker miles in total, reflecting my enduring spirit and love for the great outdoors.

Above all my accomplishments, my greatest source of joy is being a devoted father. The precious moments spent with my family and the opportunity to nurture the next generation of Warriors are the most meaningful aspects of my life. My journey has been defined by values such as service, perseverance, and the profound love I have for my loved ones.

Lyndsay Morrow – Secretary

Lyndsay Morrow is originally from Atlanta, where she first developed passion for helping people, especially youth, experiencing housing insecurity. She got involved and volunteered with organizations serving people experiencing homelessness, including Project Lovejoy and a drop in and peer counseling center for LGBTQ+ youth. She continued that work with various organizations while in college in France and the Netherlands where she focused her energy on food reclamation and assistance to asylum seekers experiencing homelessness during the European refugee crisis. Lyndsay relocated to Citrus County 3 years ago, and is eager to get YaYAS Youth Shelter up and running and to build coalitions and services to serve our youth on their path to sustainable self-sufficiency.

Sharon Washington, MSW – Member-At-Large

Sharon has been with Citrus County Sheriff’s Office for over four years, serving as a Victim Advocate. In this role Sharon aid victims of crimes by educating them on the criminal justice process and assisting them with navigating the criminal justice system. She also connects victims of crimes with community resources when feasible.Sharon is from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She attended Florida Atlantic University where she earned her Bachelor of Social Work. She continued her educational journey at Florida International University, by earning a Master’s Degree in the field of Social Work.Sharon started her career in education, then transitioned into the mental health field, counseling children and their families. Sharon has always had a passion to help others. Desiring to help others is how she found her current role at the Sheriff’s Office.In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading books, and traveling.

Nichelle Mohre-Cassidy- Executive Director

Nichelle Mohre-Cassidy currently serves as the McKinney-Vento Liaison for Citrus County Schools, where she supports students experiencing homelessness. Originally from Ohio, Nichelle has made Florida her home since 2008.

Prior to this posting, she taught at a Department of Juvenile Justice facility for incarcerated youth serving boys aged 12-19 as well as evening classes at the county jail. She taught for 12 years in Hernando County as a middle and high school teacher, covering English/Language Arts, Drama, Leadership, Eschool, and Edgenuity. She was a PBIS Coach and served on a county committee to address disproportianility in discipline. During Covid, she also taught English to elementary students in China through VIPKid.

As a co-founder of Hernando Pride and a member of PFLAG Hernando, she helped pioneer a blessing bag program that provided unhoused students with toiletries, snacks, and school supplies across the county. She has been an avid supporter of United Way and the Citrus County Education Foundation.

In her spare time, Nichelle enjoys crocheting and volunteering at Stage West Playhouse, both onstage and offstage. She is a Big Sister and has been matched with her Little Sister for five years. She enjoys traveling with her partner in their camper whenever possible. Nichelle is excited to help change the outlook of youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in Citrus and surrounding counties.