About Us
The Creators of CFLAT
Our Story
“Dream big , Steve, dream big!” Byron Lewis, just before he passed away he 2017. The story begins in 2010 while serving on the Board of Neighbors for Kids (NFK) in Depoe Bay, Oregon. We just opened the new 8000sf building on 101 just south of City Hall. NFK was a dream for the City of Depoe & our small rural community, inspired by Loretta Hoagland in 2000. Loretta started an ‘after school’ program at one of the local churches in town. It was there “The Miracle for Kids” was born. Byron Lewis, co-founder, CFLAT, and I served on the Board. We were seated in January 2010, a few months before the new building was completed. It was there, in that moment, the dream of CFLAT was born. I wanted to tell my story on behalf of these struggling kids who seemed to be without a whole lot of love & kindness at home. The kids reminded of myself when I was growing up in the 40’s & 50’s after WWII ended.
I started this blog and begin to write my story, Byron’s story, and the stories of kids who were not loved and hugged at home, just like us. 10 years later, I’m still writing these stories. The stories that must be told. For it is not possible to heal from intergenerational trauma unless we know the roots of trauma…
Steve Sparks
Co-Founder & Executive Director of CFLAT
Steve Sparks is a retired information technology sales and marketing executive with over 35 years of industry experience, including a Bachelors in Management from St. Mary’s College. He currently works as a part-time strategic planning consultant and leadership coach. Before joining the world of business, Steve served in the U.S. Navy as a Radioman (RM3) and was honorably separated in 1965. He gained experience as top director at Nortel Networks for over 15 years, eventually retiring in 2002.
Aside from his work and academics, one of his greatest passions is mentoring and improving K-12 education, guiding him to serve as vice chair of Neighbors for Kids for over 6 years. Steve’s creative outlet is as a non-fiction author, writing about his roots as a post-WWII military child growing up in the 1950s-1960s. Steve & his wife Judy love traveling America, exploring, writing, and filming the stunning beauty of the Central Oregon Coast.
Judy Sparks
Co-Founder of CFLAT
Judy Sparks is an Early Childhood Education specialist with a degree in Elementary Education and Library Science from Western Washington University. She has over 25 years of experience in early intervention for young children, with an emphasis on parent coaching, behavioral therapy for infants and toddlers, cognitive and social emotional development, and language acquisition. Her work has led her to Washington, California, and now Oregon with her husband Steve. Together, they work as a collaborative team on CFLAT’s mission to promote mental health literacy for all audiences. She is excited to lead this new platform and to guide all those who are looking for a path to healing in life after trauma.
Byron Lewis
Co-Founder of CFLAT
Byron Lewis was a primary visionary advocating for education in trauma and mental health for local communities, helping to set the stage for CFLAT. He worked as a psychotherapist in marriage and family counseling. Combining his education with expertise as a business management consultant, including years of community service and volunteerism for children’s wellbeing, Byron became the long-term director of Neighbors For Kids. It was Byron’s friendship and insistence that encouraged Steve to build CFLAT as a platform for others to access their own journey towards healing with PTSD. Byron was dedicated and passionate about community building, especially with and for children and the most vulnerable among us. He was, and continues to be, a true champion in his loved one’s hearts and souls.
