About Us
CJK Community Homes is an effective and powerful organization 501 (c)(3) that is committed to providing clean, safe, contemporary, and affordable housing and proven supportive case management services to low-income Pierce County residents to reduce the impact of poverty.
We offer affordable housing in private residences to families or a shared housing living arrangement for individuals. Supportive case management services will include connecting residents with our onsite mental health team to provide individual customized needs in conjunction with financial literacy education. Ultimately, we are striving to be part of creating Net Zero for homeless individuals in Pierce County.
Meet Our Team

Noemi Cagatin-Porter
Organization's Founder
Pierce County Advisory Board
City of Tacoma Human Services Commission
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Housing Committee
Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator

Sharee Dammel
Executive Director

Trisha Ballard
Board President
Director of Operations for Sound Family Medicine
Member of The Pierce County
Advisory Committee for Prevention Programs

Lanielyn Naylor
Board Vice President/Treasurer
Pure Vida International

Thrett Brown
Board Member
Executive Director for Young Business Men of Washington (YBMW)

Darius Swilley
Board Member
Past CJK Client
Business Owner
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2019 – 2020
Present Owner
CJK Property Management
2013 – 2014
Owner
CJK Legacy Investments LLC (Construction)
2011 – 2012
Financial Counselor
Catholic Health Initiatives
2009 – 2011
Owner
Early Bird Lawn Service
2004 – 2005
Present Finance
Northwest Orthopedics and Hand Surgery
2001 – 2003
Billing Software Specialist Present
DaVita, Inc.
EDUCATION
2011
2009
Associate Degree DTA
Business Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom Lakewood, WA
Phi Theta Kappa
UW Next Step Scholar Recipient
EXPERIENCE
Mrs. Cagatin-Porter has over 20 years in organizational and project management, financial systems and reporting working with the public and private sectors. Her expertise includes remodeling and building new construction, property management and supportive services.
COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE
2018 – Present
Pierce County Advisory Board Member (Human Services)
We provide assistance and judicious advice from a Citizens standpoint to the Legislative body by studying critical issues, performing research and review reports related to Human Services public policy.
My name is Trisha Kay Ballard. I was born in Lynden, Washington in 1976 and was raised in a small dairy farming community. Early on in my life, I was sheltered by the community I lived in and experienced little to no hardship.
In my late teens I made the decision to move to the city, Bellingham, Washington. There I entered into a relationship and found myself pregnant at the age of 21. I gave birth to a beautiful daughter at the age of 22, and quickly realized that the relationship I was in was very toxic, violent and abusive. I struggled emotionally and physically to get out of the relationship. Finally after a year; I found the courage to seek out legal assistance through a community resource center.
With the recommendation of legal counsel, I moved out of county and started a new life in University Place, Washington. I found a position in an Orthopedic Medical Practice as a clinic manager and was able to enroll my daughter in a sliding fee preschool that received assistance through the United Way. We felt safe and happy, and I finally felt I could begin focusing on improving our lives.
I obtained my Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration in 2011 and accepted a new position as a clinic manager within a large healthcare organization. I was able to purchase our own small home in Spanaway, Washington. In 2010 I married a warm, kind and peaceful man and gave birth to two energetic and loving boys. In 2014 I completed my Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Ashford University in Alameda, California. In 2019 I accepted a Director of Operation’s position with Sound Family Medicine.
I am where I am in life today, primarily due to the community resources and assistance that I was able to receive when I was unable to navigate life on my own. The resources of legal counsel and assistance with childcare allowed me to start a new life and to leave a relationship that was harmful and violent. It is important for me to give back and to provide that same opportunity to others’. I currently serve on the Pierce County Violence Prevention Committee and am now serving as Board Treasurer for CJK Community Homes. I am passionate about finding a safe and warm place to live for those in need, and for everyone to have an opportunity to improve their life.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2018 – Present
Nurse Practitioner/Psychiatric/Mental Health
Comprehensive
2018 – Present
Nurse Practitioner/Psychiatric/Mental Health
Wellfound Hospital
2018 – Present
Nurse Practitioner/Psychiatric/Mental Health
Fairfax Hospital
2016 – 2018
Assistant Director of Nursing Services
Cascade Hospital
2012 – 2014
Charge Nurse
Fairfax Hospital
2011 – 2012
Behavioral Health Technician
Boys Town National Research Hospital
2009
Correctional Officer
Lancaster County Corrections
2005 – 2007
Addiction Service Worker
Cornhusker Place Detoxification
1999 – 2004
Missile Technician
US Navy
EDUCATION
In Progress
Master of Healthcare Administration
Des Moines University Medicine & Health Science
Des Moines, IA
2017
Psychiatric (Family) NP
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL
2012
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Nebraska Methodist College
Omaha, NE
2008
Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Services
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE
EXPERIENCE
Mr. Cagatin has over 15 years of diverse clinical experience in the health care field with emphasis on psychiatric care to individuals, including adults and children, and families experiencing drug abuse problems, psychiatric disorders or organic brain disorder. He is devoted to patient advocacy and committed to the success of his clients, team and the community.