Centers of Light Directory   

Les Carney

Our intent is to report on events, activities, achievements, projects and people who represent the highest and best of human endeavor and what we can achieve, both individually and collectively. We believe that this represents the true nature of who we are.  Our purpose is not only to inform and inspire, but to provide cross cultural models from around the world as to what people are doing to solve world problems and create new options.  We see a "Community Without Borders"  as those throughout the world who have seen a vision of a new era and are dedicated to bringing it into reality.

Retired minister, educator and counseling psychologist, Les now resides in West Hills, California with his wife Nahid.  Through the years Les's professional life included serving as a minister in the state of Washington.  His professional career included teaching Family Life Education courses at the local Community College while serving as Parent Education Instructor in a Cooperative Preschool program and working as a Social Service Consultant to the Head Start program.  He also served as a Marriage and Family Therapist with the Family Counseling Service prior to establishing a private counseling  practice.  As a Therapist Les contracted with the Court of Domestic Relations, consulted with the Superior Court in Custody disputes, contracted with a Faith Based Juvenile Detention Facility as a Consulting Psychologist, conducted training in Domestic Violence and worked in conjunction with the local Police Department in the establishment of a Police Chaplains Bureau.    Les has always worked with divergent groups and been a facilitator in bridging understanding, finding the common denominator and maximizing the possibilities.  This seems to be a theme that weaves through the years and continues to have expression in his retirement.  

At age 57 Les simplified life and stepped outside the "work paradigm".  In effect he went on a "Vision Quest" of sorts.   For several years he journeyed through Arizona spending considerable time in the Sedona area and becoming connected with the Native American traditions.   Les experienced a life filled with magical happenings. A trip to Peru continued the magic resulting in considerable awakenings and  intensification of some "Inner work". 

The theme of bridging understanding continues to manifest itself in the creation of the Centers of Light Directory.  This is Les's way of connecting people in a mutually supportive way as we manifest a world of Love where Oneness is Celebrated and Diversity is honored. 

Community Services

Past President of Washington State Association for Marriage & Family Therapy

Past Pres. of the Council of Pres. for the Am. Assoc. for Marriage & Family Therapy.

Past President of North County Youth Soccer Association

Past Vice President of Administration of Washington State Youth Soccer Assoc.  

Past President of Edmonds & Everett Ministerial Associations

Past President Snohomish County Family Counseling Service BOD

Past member Mental Health and Retardation BOD

Parent Education Instructor for Head Start Cooperative Pre School program

Taught Early Childhood Education and Communication Skills courses at Everett  Community College

Directed community based group in funding and building the North End Multi-Service Community Service building in Everett, Washington 

Candidate for Edmonds School Board

Inspirational speaker for Rotary Clubs’ Boy and Girl of the Month awards, local Service Clubs, Camp Fire Girls, High School Commencement Ceremonies, etc.  

Group Trainer for Camp Fire Girls Leadership Conference

Domestic Conflict Resolution trainer for Snohomish County Sheriff’s Dept.

Communication Skill Seminars for a variety of churches and other NPO’s

Founding Member of the Everett Police Department Chaplains Bureau

Citizen award by Everett Police Department for Service with the Chaplains Bureau

Director on I.D.E.A. Foundation Board

Line Producer for "The Shift of Ages" movie in production

Consultant to developing "2012" T.V. series 

Education

   High School Degree                            Port Angeles High School     

                                                             (Port Angeles, WA) - 1959   

   Bachelors in Biblical Literature             Warner Pacific College  

                                                                (Portland, OR) - 1964 

   Masters in Educational Psychology       Seattle Pacific University 

                                                                            (Seattle, WA) - 1974  

                Nahid

   Nahid was born and raised in Tehran where she attended the University and received a B.A. degree in Literature.   She has traveled extensively throughout Europe and lived in Spain, France, Germany and England.  In 1982 she moved to the USA taking up residence in Carlsbad, California.  In 2007 she and her husband moved to West Hills, California.

    While living in Tehran she owned and managed a popular French Pastry Shop.  On one occasion she was commissioned to make a cake in the likeness of President Reagan. 

    After moving to the United States Nahid learned English and entered the labor market.  In a very short time she was moved into retail management where she has continued to excel to this day.