The Santiam Teen Center is still recovering after learning former executive director Steven Reed allegedly embezzled $34,000 from the nonprofit.
Reed has been charged in Marion County Circuit Court with aggravated first-degree theft and six counts of first-degree forgery. He was arraigned Dec. 12, 2025, and is due back Feb. 11 to enter a plea to the charges.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison on the highest count. He remains released on his own recognizance.
The amount allegedly stolen equals six months worth of operating expenses, according to Tricia Frizzell, chair of the board that oversees the center. She said this was a significant blow they will be recovering from for the foreseeable future, including being unable to fill Reed’s former position for the time being.
At the same time, she said, volunteers and staff are rallying to show their support.
“We want the community to know that we are wounded but not broken,” said Frizzell. “…The youth are still showing up with smiles on their faces, and that overshadows the intense anger and frustration.”
Reed, 49, of Salem, served as executive director from November 2023 to July 2024 when he left to become athletic director for Santiam Christian Schools. He allegedly stole from the teen center throughout this time, including six alleged instances of fraudulent checks written between January and August of 2024.
Frizzell said there were a number of “red flags,” such as operational expenses ballooning as revenue fell. According to federal tax filings, revenue between 2023 and 2024 fell from $146,122 to $107,334, while building and office expenses rose $1,763.
While charging documents did not describe a motive, Reed was struggling to repay large debts when he was hired at the teen center. These included a $16,573 judgment in October of 2023 for an unpaid credit card, and a $37,751 judgment in November of 2023 for unpaid rent on a commercial lease.
Because the teen center specializes in serving vulnerable youth, Frizzell said she struggles to understand why anyone would steal from the program. The center is open to high schoolers and provides social activities, homework support, on-site meals, food to take home, and laundry facilities, all for free.
Though the court may order restitution upon a conviction, Frizzell said the board is not counting on this to make the teen center whole. She said they are focusing instead on working with the resources, staff and volunteers they have, and on strengthening public support.
Frizzell said she has a message for Reed that may seem counter-intuitive: “You are forgiven.” She said this is central to the faith-based goals of the teen center and presents an opportunity to display a gracious attitude for teens who may be more accustomed to hostility from adults.
For current teen center information, including programs and opportunities to volunteer or donate, go to santiamteencenter.org/.
More legal news at ourtownsantiam.com
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Updates are published as cases develop. See ourtownsantiam.com for the latest.
