Cory Barnett – YouthHangout President

Cory grew up in western Kansas on a farm and has been working with young people since 1987. He holds two associates degrees – one from Garden City Community College, KS and one from Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas, TX. Cory moved to Liberal in 1997. He has been Realtor® since 2005 & is the broker/owner of CallCory.Com serving KS & OK. Other careers include Construction, and Securities & Insurance licensed in KS, OK, TX and CO.

Cory is a member of the:

-Southwest Kansas Board of Realtors® since 2006 and served as an officer multiple times,

-Kansas Association of Realtors®,

-Liberal Ministerial Alliance since 1997 and served as an officer multiple times,

-Haskell County Ministerial Alliance and served as an officer multiple times,

-Liberal Lions Club since 2006 and served as an officer multiple times,

-Bright Futures,

-Liberal Area Coalition for Families,

-Liberal High School Site Council,

-and an Advisory Board Member of Juvinile Corrections Services & Prevention (JCAPS).  

-Managing Partner of Tigris Investment Group.

Cory has been a member of:

-Kids Inc. and coached kids sports.

-Chamber Board Member and  Chamber Ambassador,

-as well as a Police Chaplain for Liberal.

Cory is president of 2 non-profits – Light House & Family Destiny d.b.a. Youth Hangout. Cory and his wife & support, Tessy, are active in community events such as The Duck Festival, The Liberal Night Out, Christmas Blast, Oz Fest and Liberal Fire Departments’s 100 Year Anniversary. They have helped 13 different churches in Liberal with their events as well. They have given teens opportunities to serve the community through cotton candy, snow cones, animal balloons and face painting. Utilizing the energy of teenageres, Cory has organized community events for families in Liberal including a haunted house, The Summer Blast with 1,157 registered attendees as well as Laser Tag during Christmas break with 1,239 registered guests. Cory and Tessy founded Family Destiny to help teens fulfill thier dreams and through mentoring efforts. Cory and Tessy are both certified through the Kansas Department of Corrections as mentors.

Cory and Tessy have 3 children – Tabitha, Corban, Obadiah, one son-in-law and 3 grandchildren.  Their children help in You HangOut & the family businesses.

Cory’s vision was inspired by his parents and is to “Enrich the lives of others.” He attributes success to God, his wife, all the teams & their financial partners.  One team founded the Youth Hangout to reach youth in more than a 200 mile radius.  Cory has served in several leadership roles in various churches and has been to Berlin, Germany, Rome, Italy, Paris, France, Zimbabwe, South Africa & Northern Mexico.

Tessy Barnett – President’s Support

I have been married to Cory since 1993. We have 3 children and have lived in Liberal since 1994. As of currently, 2023, we’ve been married for 30 years and have 3 grandchildren.

I also support Cory at Seeds of Hope Church where Cory serves as Lead Minister, and Youth HangOut. We have founded Family Destiny to help teens fulfill their dreams through mentoring efforts. 
Tessy grey up in Manitou Springs, CO and came to Garden City Community College on a track scholarship. She holds an associate’s degreee and is a certified Montessorie Instructor. She has completted in the Liberal Pancake Race for more than 2 decades since 1999. She has been a home maker for 21 years. Cory and Tessy worked in a private school in KS for 3 years.  She has worked for Liberal Airport at Pen Air, and for USD 480. Tessy currently works and supports Cory in CallCory.Com, Youth HangOut, and the many other ventures her husband gets into. Her desire is to be a good role model so that young adults can make small quality choices leading to bigger life choices, enabling them to reach their destiny.

Jeremy & Sarah Archer – Treasure

Jeremy and Sarah Archer married each other in 2007. Jeremy has been the CEO of Celebration Nation in Liberal, KS since 2016. They reside in Turpin, OK.  They have six children from a blended family and four grandchildren.

Jeremy grew up in Turpin, OK.  He holds several Welding Certifications. He was part of a two state championship teams in track, and a football state championship team. He was a part of the Boy Scouts for 8 years and Senior Patrol Leader.  He is a member of Chamber of Commerce in Liberal. Jeremy volunteers for Liberal’s Duck Festival, Oz Fest, Alzheimer’s Walk, Relay for Life in Liberal and Win-Win Week at Turpin High School (cancer benefit).

Jeremy proudly served his country as a U.S Marine and currently works for Weatherford (Oilfield) as Field Sales Representative.  He has been with Weatherford since 2000.

Jeremy desires to see activities for kids and families. Jeremy was approached with this idea and firmly believes that this opportunity is a win-win for the community and families. Jeremy believes that this will bring more activities to Liberal as well as people from surrounding communities. He is PROUD to be on this team.

Sarah’s ethnic background is Hispanic and Native Indian, and grew up in Lamar, CO.  She has been in the Turpin area since 2005.  She graduated from the nursing program at SCCC in 2007 and worked for a local doctor.  She has been a stay at home mom as well as a day care provider.  Sarah served Church For All Nations on their leadership board, oversaw the nursery and organized several events such as their Fall Festival and Vacation Bible School.  She is currently the CFO of Celebration Nation LLC.  Sarah helps New Beginnings Children’s Ministry envision, plan and execute special events such as their monthly birthday parties and fundraisers.  She also manages the coffee shop within New Beginnings.

Tabitha Terhune – Grant and Communication Manager

Tabitha Terhune grew up in Liberal, Kansas and is now a wife and mother of two children. She currently serves as a Grant and Communication Manager at Youth Hangout of Liberal as well as a Licensed Minister through the Kansas Assembly of God. Tabitha also holds her Associates Degree of Applied Science and License through Kansas Cosmetology. It is Tabitha’s passion to help young people in small towns have proactive activities that will not hinder their walk in life. She strives to help mentor and guide young people in this crazy world. Tabitha enjoys spending time with her family. “Together, let’s make a difference in the lives of those who will come after us!”

Josh Hickok – Board Member

Josh serves on the board of Camp Christy by Scott Lake State Park and served as a youth minister at First United Methodist Church in Liberal. Currently Josh is a school teacher in Hugoton.

Shane Bowman – Board Member

Shane is a 2019 graduate from Fellowship Baptist School in Liberal, KS.  He work hard on his families farm. And worked at the Parks Department for the City of Liberal.  Currently he works as Regional Manager of Subway, traveling to the different restaurants. When asked why he wanted to be a part of The Youth Hangout, he said that he has seen what the “streets have done to some of his friends and wants to make a difference.”

Ryan Buller – Board Member

Ryan is a science teacher at Turpin, OK.  He has been teaching in private school, large and small public schools, church, and leadership settings since 2003.  He is a key part of the robotics programs in the Liberal community working through the Mid America Air Museum, as well as Liberal High School’s first high school team and now currently having started the program for three different age groups at Turpin Schools.  He has been on staff at 3 different churches, serving as Youth Minister, Associate Pastor, and Interim Pastor. He has also helped to start a church and a private school.  Ryan has worked with youth full time since 1999.