David Heitstuman, CEO of the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, is recognized as an imperturbable and results-driven nonprofit, political, and communications team leader. He received the Stonewall Freedom from Fear Award in 2016 for his transformative work in the Sacramento LGBTQ community. David was also recognized by the Sacramento Business Journal as one of the region’s “40 Under 40” in 2017 for his outstanding professional accomplishments and community involvement and named to Sacramento Magazine’s most powerful 300 list in 2019. In 2020, the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce selected David as its Community Leader of the Year. The Sacramento Business Journal also awarded David with its inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award in 2022. Before coming to the Center, he was chief consultant to California State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and had served four prior speakers over 12 years in the Assembly including Toni Atkins, John A. Pérez, Karen Bass, and Fabian Nuñez. He also served as trip director for Assembly Democratic Campaigns, operations director for Steve Westly’s 2006 gubernatorial campaign, advance team lead for Hillary Clinton 2008, Kerry-Edwards 2004, Howard Dean for America, and the Democratic National Committee. He started his career as a communications aide to Governor Gray Davis.

In addition to his statewide and national professional career, he is active in the local community serving as Chair of the Sacramento Parks & Recreation Commission and has served as President of the Sacramento LGBT Center Board of Directors, Member–at-Large on the Sacramento Valley Gay & Lesbian Softball League Board, and as Chair of the Sacramento City Special Events Ordinance Review Committee.

David holds a master’s degree in public policy & administration from CSU Sacramento and a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations and business from Gonzaga University. He is well known for his event production prowess including bringing the Sacramento Red Dress Party to life in 2012. He enjoys volunteering for LGBTQ activist causes, weightlifting, softball, international travel, and dinner parties at home. He grew up the Yakima Valley of Washington State and moved to Sacramento in 2001. He and his partner Spencer reside at the intersection of Midtown/Oak Park/Curtis Park.

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Jaime Gerigk, CPO of the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, has over three decades of experience working in nonprofits supporting clients and communities, both in direct services and in program management and development. Jaime holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and has worked with diverse communities in the fields of intimate partner violence and sexual assault for twenty four years, and in hospice and medical social work for ten years. She has presented at state and national conferences on trauma-informed advocacy, prevention education and counseling as well as vicarious trauma for service providers. Jaime has co-authored inclusive curriculum on healthy relationships for community-based non-profits and the CA Department of Education and has provided expert testimony on behalf of survivors. Jaime received the Woman of the Year award from Cal Poly Humboldt.

Jaime’s passion is supporting people, helping to create a trauma-informed, inclusive, accessible and affirming community in Sacramento and beyond. She is an advocate working toward positive micro and macro change and believes in the transformative power of connection and relationships.

In her time off, you’ll find Jaime traveling far and wide, but she especially loves weekend trips exploring all of California. She’s always looking for live music, beautiful hikes, sunshine and a good cup of coffee.

 ☏ (916) 442-0185 ext. 106

Luis Cortes currently serves as the CDEAO at The Sacramento LGBT Community Center, with a proven track record of advancing resources and enhancing community engagement within the nonprofit sector. Before his current role, Luis held key leadership positions in several well-known museums and nonprofit organizations in Sacramento, L.A., and Texas. His contributions include work at the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC), the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (FWMSH), among others. He focuses on broadening the reach of nonprofit institutions and securing their financial stability for long-term sustainability.

Throughout his career, Luis has spearheaded diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) initiatives, significantly impacting institutional cultures and their community reach. His leadership in securing significant funding, including leading capital campaigns, and securing state and federal funding, has enabled program expansion and increased accessibility to cultural and educational experiences for diverse communities.

As a human rights advocate, Luis combined his passion for social justice with his role as a curator, focusing on history, heritage, and culture. He played a pivotal role in founding the FWMSH Heritage Gallery and curated exhibits such as “The Living Legacy of Dia de Los Muertos,” “Hispanic Heritage: Mesoamerica to Today,” “Changemakers: Local Women, Global Impact,” and “Opal Lee: The Force Behind Juneteenth.” These initiatives were pioneering in fostering diverse representation and marked the first such exhibitions in North Texas. He has been recognized for advocating for cultural heritage, human rights, and diversity & equity in his work.

Outside of work, Luis enjoys traveling, hiking, and exploring the country with his dog, aiming to visit every national park in the US. He is also an avid painter, rock climber, and writer.

 ☏ (916) 442-0185 ext. 128

Alexis Sanchez, A Los Angeles native, got her start in activism in 2016 after the Pulse Nightclub Shooting. She participated in a project that went across the country to the site of different gun related hate crimes and culminated in a rally for common sense gun reform and increase hate crime protections for the LGBTQIA+ community. After visiting the spot where a transgender woman of color was murdered, she decided to dedicate her life to bettering the lives of the transgender community and pursing policy changes that will help to bring more opportunities to trans individuals – especially trans women of color.

Alexis’ background is in public health policy with a specialization in substance use disorders in the LGBTQIA+ community. She was a thought leader in her field and worked to raise awareness of how systems of oppression (such as housing discrimination or over-policing) lead to shorter lifespans and poorer health for marginalized peoples and how the only way to improve the health of marginalized communities is the dismantling of these systems. She also served on the City of West Hollywood’s Transgender Advisory Board for 4 years and in this role worked to create numerous policy changes and campaigns to create a safer city for transgender people.

Alexis is an alumni of the Equality California Institute Leadership Academy, and has participated in many initiatives that train underrepresented minorities to run for office. She serves on the Board of Directors for Still Bisexual, a national bi+ advocacy organization.  Alexis was named Woman of the Year 2020 for CA-28 by Representative Adam Schiff. She spends the bulk of her free time trying to improve her community through volunteering, community organizing, and media advocacy to help normalize trans identities.

 ☏ (916) 442-0185 ext. 115

Christi Gray, joined us as an executive level healthcare consultant with over 35 years’ experience in healthcare administration and operations. Her career includes leadership roles in many facets of healthcare, from clinic operations to managed care delivery systems. As a consultant she developed tools to assist healthcare providers, leading them to better patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, financial stability, and overall practice viability.

She leads with honesty, integrity and grace, empowering staff to provide excellent patient care. In addition to her professional career, she served on the local and state Medical Group Management Association boards.

She is a California native, currently living in Antelope and her passions are family, community outreach, boxer dog rescue and horses. She wants to own and operate an animal rescue organization when she retires.

Valerie T. Mayweather

Collin is pleased to be joining the Center as a the Pride & Events Director. Collin comes to the center with a unique background of mixed experience in organizing, planning and promoting events; including HIV/Aids relief fundraising events and LGBTQ+ centered community events in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. An artist by nature, Collin plans to bring a creative eye to the roster of events produced by the center annually in hopes to create magical and memorable experiences for all those we serve. As a Northern California and Central Valley native, Collin hopes to develop new traditions and activations that enrich the lives of his community. When not working Collin enjoys spending time with friends and loved ones, attending Drag shows, sewing and crafting and watching scary movies. Collin looks forward to being a resource and sharing a connection to the Sacramento LGBTQ+ community with the priority of creating events that are inclusive, affirming and representative to all – and of course, a blast to attend!

Hollis Sweet joins the Center as the new Community Engagement and Volunteer Services Manager. A local, Hollis graduated from a Sacramento Region high school and then attended UC Davis where he studied Interpersonal & Organizational Communication and explored Performance Theory dabbling in all aspects of the performative and experimenting with digital cinema. When he found himself working with volunteers over 20 years ago, he quickly realized that the most rewarding professional relationships he had developed were the relationships he built with the volunteers he engaged. This inspired him and lead to the decision to focus his career on engaging volunteers to support the work of non-profit organizations.

Hollis’ experience engaging volunteers and creating/implementing sustainable infrastructure includes serving in AmeriCorps with the Volunteer Infrastructure Project and active memberships with local and national Volunteer Engagement professional organizations, which he uses to access resources and stay informed of best practices in the Volunteer Engagement profession. He is looking forward to using his experience and connections to expand the current volunteer program so that all volunteer and intern opportunities engage volunteers, learners, and community stakeholders through meaningful experiences that support achieving the Center’s mission and establishing a reputation for the Center to be a great place to volunteer or complete an internship.

Please contact Hollis if you would like to

• Explore how a partnership with your organization can be mutually beneficial,
• If you are looking for opportunities for your corporate volunteer program,
• If you are interested in discussing the possibility of completing an internship or practicum,
• If you want more information about volunteering at Sacramento Pride Festival, or
• If you are interested in opportunities to volunteer in an ongoing, one-time, event-based, or skills-based capacity.

Ari Punter (She/Her) is the Housing Manager for the center. She is dedicated to ending LGBTQ+ youth homelessness while striving to provide financial, academic, health, and mental health resources. Ari graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Multicultural and Gender Studies from California State University, Chico. She values implementing an equitable environment for impoverished and marginalized communities so that those who are less fortunate are able to be set up for success. She created Chico State’s first Black Mentorship Program, was the President of the only historically Black Sorority on campus – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and worked one on one with the LGBTQ+ community in affordable housing and re-entry program resources in her final years of college.

Ari finds motivation in serving her higher self so that she can serve unto others around her. She enjoys going to the gym, practicing nutritional literacy, and meditation. She likes spending her free time taking her dog out on hikes and experiencing nature. If she isn’t outside, you will find her inside watching her favorite TV shows with a cup of hot cocoa.

Ari’s favorite quote is “The best things in life are placed on the other side of fear.”

Karen Kurasaki (She/Her/Hers), PhD, Grants & Program Sustainability Manager

Karen Kurasaki joins the Sacramento LGBT Community Center as the Grants & Program Sustainability Manager bringing with her years of combined experience in community engagement, program development, grant writing, research, strategic planning, and statewide policy implementation. Over her career, Karen has focused on a variety of issues related to health equity and brings her passion in this area to her new role at the Center. She also currently teaches family studies courses at Sacramento State University. Karen earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and her master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical-community psychology from DePaul University. In her spare time, she enjoys taking her kids to the snow and to the coast.

Priya Kumar (she/her) joins the Center as the Communications & Marketing Manager. With a background in Communications & Public Relations from Sacramento State and experience in the nonprofit and media production industries, Priya brings a wealth of expertise to the team. She has a proven track record of working on high-profile projects for clients in diverse industries, including professional sports, healthcare, and tourism.

Priya is driven by her passion for communication, creativity, and relationship building. Born in Napa, and raised in Fairfield, CA, Priya is a proud second-generation child of immigrants from the Fiji Islands and the Indian diaspora. 

In her free time, Priya looks for new experiences, which could include dropping in an improv class, watching her latest binge-worthy show with her partner, or trying a new dance or yoga class. 

Reach out to Priya if you have questions about media, communications, marketing, or development.

916.442.0185 ex. 104

Aaron Armer is a proud Black Trans woman and the Health Services Outreach Manager, working at the intersection of sexual health, harm reduction and mental health. She is known for collaborating with shelters and other non-profits in the Sacramento region to bring the LGBT center’s health services to our most vulnerable populations. Aaron also serves on the HIV Services Planning Council to be a voice for the trans community and always looking to expand her work in HIV services. On top of working full time for the center, she’s also a full-time student at Sac State and will graduate this spring with her B.A. in Sociology. On the weekends she’s catching up on the latest Drag-race content and enjoys going to Tahoe to ski. Aaron is passionate about sharing the warmth of her heart in everything she does, in an effort to humanize and normalize the trans experience to the learning world.

Email her if you’re interested in
⁃ scheduling an HIV/STI test
⁃ Off-site sexual health testing for your organization or event
⁃ PrEP/PEP navigation
⁃ Case Management
⁃ Inclusive Sexual Health Education
⁃ Requesting an At-Home HIV tests
⁃ Barriers (Condoms, Lube, Dental Dams)
⁃ Fentanyl Strips and Narcan Nasal Spray
⁃ Tabling services

 ☏ (916) 442-1120 ext. 201

Shannon Cosgrove (she/her/hers) is excited to join The Sacramento LGBT Community Center as the new Annual and Corporate Giving Director. She comes to The Center with a proud history of working with non-profit organizations in the realms of outreach, stewardship, relationship building, and raising funds. She has a 30-year history running a successful special event floral design company where she helped produce over 1,500 private and corporate events.

Shannon has supported the LGBTQ+ community in Sacramento since the early 1990’s when she owned a floral and art gallery in midtown Sacramento. She proudly identifies as queer herself and is the mother of a beautiful transgender daughter. Shannon is deeply passionate about supporting and protecting transgender youth.

Shannon looks forward to connecting with donors and supporters of the Sacramento LGBT Community Center. She believes together we can ensure the mission of The Center is vital and thriving in Sacramento for future generations.

Contact her if you’re interested in sponsorships, annual or corporate giving, or other fundraising inquiries!

 ☏ (916) 442-0185 ext. 125

Andy Cha is more than excited to serve as the Mental Health Program Manager for the Sacramento LGBT Community Center. Growing up gay, Andy always wanted to be part of a community that loved and supported him. Now, Andy is committed to using this opportunity to strengthen the voices of our LGBTQ+ youth, to provide the necessary resources for the community, and to inspire everyone to spread love throughout the world.

Additionally, Andy graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and a minor in Labor Studies. During his time at UCLA, he learned how social structure affects us all disproportionately, so he became involved in various organizations that promote social justice and equity.

One of his favorite memories was serving with the Youth Empowerment Program, where he mentored and tutored students from underserved communities in Los Angeles. Another favorite memory includes being part of the Association of Hmong Students at UCLA and promoting higher education to Hmong youth from all over California. Andy says, “It is rewarding to see the students I mentored get accepted into their dream colleges, especially when they think they couldn’t, but they did. Many students would reach out to thank me, but the truth is that they were already intelligent and capable. They just needed someone to believe in them.”

Along with Andy’s identities, life-stories, experiences, and education, he grew a passion for advocating for diversity, inclusivity, accessibility, and equity for all. He strives to create a brave space to inspire hope for others and to empower the community. Andy hopes to continue giving back to the community overall.

Lastly, Andy wants you to know:

You are strong.
You are capable.
And most of all,
We all belong here.

Sarah (she/her/hers) is a Sacramento native growing up with four siblings and a multitude of pets throughout her youth. Sarah is proudly serving as the Youth Program Manager for the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, overseeing the tri-counties of Yolo, El Dorado, and Placer.

Her journey into advocacy began in the mental health sector, where she dedicated herself to supporting youth grappling with mood and anxiety disorders in short-term residential care. It was during this time that Sarah keenly observed the pressing need for more specialized mental health resources tailored to the LGBTQ+ community. Motivated by a passion for inclusivity and accessibility, Sarah resolved to redirect her focus toward addressing this critical gap.

Now, Sarah is eager to bring mental health support and LGBTQ+ advocacy to the outlying areas of Sacramento. The mission; to cultivate community, promote acceptance, spark positive transformation, and deepen understanding of the unique challenges queer youth face in navigating mental health.

When she’s not striving for queer advocacy, Sarah finds solace in the written word, immersing herself in books and crafting her own narratives. On a sunny day, you’ll catch her lakeside, accompanied by her beloved dog and life partner, or reveling in the vibrant energy of local concerts.

Kai joins the Center as a STEP Housing Advocate, with a strong spirit loyal to fostering inclusivity and creating brighter futures for marginalized communities. Kai feels a deep connection to the Sacramento community and is proud to serve as an advocate for the Sacramento LGBT Center. Driven by personal experience, his journey as a housing advocate stems from his own encounters with adversity. Having previously navigated the challenges of homelessness and experienced family trauma firsthand, Kai possesses a unique empathy and understanding of the struggles faced by vulnerable individuals seeking shelter and support. With a genuine love for helping others, Kai’s agenda is to connect honestly and deeply with as much understanding as possible. You could say it’s his mission to make a positive impact on the lives of those around him. From working with children on the spectrum to working with homeless youth, one of his goals is to create safe spaces where everyone can thrive. He is dedicated to empowering the LGBTQ+ community. Kai understands the importance of secure and affordable housing, he believes that everyone deserves a safe and supportive environment, regardless of their sexual orientation or background. Challenging societal norms is reflected not only in his professional life but also in his personal life. He openly identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, going by the pronouns he/him. He hopes he’s able to create lasting change in the lives of those who need it most as well as furthering his comprehension on resources for support while working with The Center. Kai intends to take over the Gardening workshop at STEP, hoping to help residents in survival mode slow down and recollect that everything in life takes time to grow, but nothing will last forever. The journey is the destination.

I am highly organized, detail oriented, and consistently meet deadlines. I like a clean workspace and a logical filing method. I find this increases my efficiency and helps the rest of the team stay on track. I thrive on setting goals for myself that are essential to my personal growth and professional success. I always challenge myself to learn new skills that will help me to improve myself, do better work and ensure quality and positive outcomes. I am dedicated, loyal, and above all passionate about my work. Because I love what I do, I am naturally motivated, committed, and driven to do my best.

Elizabeth Fernandez (she/her) is very excited to join the Center as the new Executive Assistant. Coming from a nonprofit organization that assisted Native Americans in obtaining and maintaining employment, as well as providing other supportive services, Elizabeth is excited to bring the knowledge and experience she gained and apply it in her new position. She is eager to learn more about the history of the LGBTQIA community, as well as provide her assistance so that the Center staff can continue to provide important services and awareness.

Elizabeth is of Maidu and Pomo descent here in California; Maidu from Lassen County and Pomo from Lake County. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Italian with a Minor in Native American Studies from UC Davis, where she met her current partners. She enjoys spending time with her partners and little one in their new home, visiting her mom in the mountains, reading, watching movies and shows, and walking her dog. Right now her current obsession is BTS so you may see her humming or singing at her desk or in her car, and she enjoys having various art prints on display.

Jaime accepted the Economic Justice Program Coordinator position the same week iconic actor, musician and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte Jr. passed away. He took this as a sign that popular culture, activism, and the arts are a key part of economic justice and community advocacy. In his position, he manages our LGBTQIA+ Career Fairs that are fun and lively, yet full of resources and opportunities for community members to network with potential employers, attend informative in-person workshops, and receive educational resources. Jaime will also offer drop-in career counseling and job-hunting services throughout the year, at both the Midtown and South Sacramento center locations. To date, he has established a partnership with the Sac State Pride Center to stage a Black, Indigenous, Queer, Transgender, People of Color (BIQTPOC) Film Festival during Pride Week in October (LGBT History Month) and cultivating a collaboration with the Latino Community Foundation to provide economic empowerment and immigration legal resources to migrants and refugees.

Jaime’s education includes vast nonprofit and cultural arts work experience, a Bachelor’s Degree in Comparative Cultures and Religious Studies from Whittier College, a study abroad adventure in Bogota, Colombia, and industry trainings at the San Sebastian Film Festival and Guadalajara International Film Festival.

Please contact Jaime if you would like to explore how the Sac LGBT Community Center’s Economic Justice Program can partner with your organization/company in developing community events, arts festivals, employment opportunities, conferences, and/or internships/apprenticeships that ensure we all walk the “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” talk!

Robert Trotti (He/Him) loves the opportunity to serve the Sacramento LGBTQ population as a Housing Navigator He grew up in the nearby city of Galt, CA and moved to Sacramento to pursue an education in Social Work from Sacramento State University as a first-generation college student. Robert has hopes to become a therapist specializing in helping queer populations. His involvement with the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus has allowed him to get involved in his community and he hopes to work more closely with LGBTQ organizations throughout Sacramento. In his free time, he loves to sing, play guitar, read, and box. His passion for psychology has allowed him to specialize in mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and he hopes to use these skills in assisting the youth.

Alexsander (he/him), Alex for short, joins the Sacramento LGBT Community Center as the Data Manager. He has spent the last few years pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics with a focus on applied statistics at California State University Sacramento, CSUS, and graduated in May 2023. In doing so he has worked with an abundance of varying data types ranging from heavily quantitative data like laboratory experiment data to qualitative clientele data for the American Bar Association. He is extremely grateful for this opportunity to utilize the knowledge he has gathered over the years regarding data and aims to support the community in any of its data needs.

Alex moved to the Sacramento region when he was just two years old from Maple Falls in rural Washington. Spending most of his life here he has come to love the community and especially the food the area has to offer. Growing up Alex’s parents always owned some form of a dining/food establishment which has taught him to love and embrace the varying food types that exist and all the connections that food can make for some people. He fondly remembers his family hosting neighborhood parties where everyone would bring a family dish and tell stories about how the dish originated. Now in his adult life, you can regularly find Alex and his partner eating their way through Sacramento’s diverse food establishments. Also, note that one of his favorites is Kin Thai Street Eatery, which is conveniently located across the street from the Center.

Eve Banas (she/they), Eve Banas is excited to join the Center as the Advocacy and Training Lead. While attending UC Davis, they studied evolution, ecology, and biodiversity with a focus on public health and policy. In addition to her coursework, they served as the president of Students for Reproductive Freedom, a student organization dedicated to encouraging reproductive justice advocacy on campus and increasing access to safer sex products, menstrual products, and educational resources. They also participated in undergraduate research projects with topics ranging from plant pathology to the history of eugenics. Their ongoing research analyzes the relationships between state-level sex education policies and adolescent STI rates.

Eve is very excited to support LGBTQIA+ youth as they build knowledge about the legislative process and community resources. She is grateful for the opportunity to increase the accessibility of information and serve as a resource to the community.

In their spare time, you can find Eve exploring nature, cooking, reading, and hanging out with her 10-year-old rabbit and 19-year-old cat.

Dennis Alvarez (he/him), Dennis is a recent graduate from Sacramento State and received his Bachelor’s in Ethnic Studies making him a first-generation graduate in a family made of Central American immigrants. His experience working as a bilingual COVID-19 Contact Tracer during the pandemic has ignited his passion to provide public health services to marginalized communities, including non-English speaking populations, and is excited to continue his work in the public health field. Dennis has goals to continue his education and obtain a master’s degree in public health one day. 

Dennis is originally from the Bay Area and enjoys going back to his hometown in San Rafael to spend time with old friends and family. However, Dennis now calls Sacramento his home and enjoys going out to local drag shows and finding new places to eat in his free time.   

Sierra Kennedy (she/her)

Sierra was born in raised in the greater Sacramento area. She is originally from Placerville, but moved to Chico in 2017 to pursue an education in Social Work. She began her education at Butte College where she got an Associate’s in Social and Behavioral Science in 2019. She then transferred to Chico State to get her Bachelor’s in Social Work.

It was during her Bachelor’s internship program that she returned to Butte College as a staff member to work at the Queer Resource Center (QRC). After graduating with her Bachelor’s in Social Work in 2021, she took over as the leader of the QRC. After that she went back and got her Master’s in Social Work while still continuing to lead the QRC at Butte College, yet still graduating with distinction, a 4.0 GPA, and an Outstanding Graduate Student award at her Lavender Graduation for her community education and advocacy work while leading the QRC.  During both her Bachelor’s and Master’s program Sierra focused her research towards LGBTQIA2S+ Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Homelessness, Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, and Intersectionality.

After finishing her Master’s in Social Work in Spring 2023, Sierra made the move from Chico back to the Sacramento area to begin her new position as the Sacramento LGBT Center’s Housing Navigation Coordinator. Sierra is incredibly excited to bring all of her experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm for the work and the community to her new position at the LGBT center and is looking forward to all the great work ahead of her and all the wonderful people she can help!

Myles Jackson (He/Him; They/Them) is the newest and youngest member to join the Sacramento LGBT Center Team, as a Youth Advocate they hope to use their voice to amplify the voices of the next queer generation and empower them to step into their own journey of self-actualization. Myles has a long history of activism and advocacy in the greater Sacramento area and served as the Co-Director of Youth Events and Outreach at The Landing Spot, A placer county non-profit that provides care and enrichment experiences to LGBT youth and their families. Myles is currently studying for their AA in Sociology with a focus in LGBTQ+ Studies and hopes to obtain a JD in Civil Rights Law in order to further the plight of the most marginalized among us. Their drive comes from and unending thirst for equity and justice and a hope to leave a world behind that has less boundaries for their successors as their predecessors did for them. In their free time, Myles enjoys singing, poetry, socializing with friends, and performing as a drag artist at local Sacramento venues.

Marlena (she/they) joins the Center as the Development Assistant. After graduating from high school, she decided to pursue her love for animals by enrolling in the prestigious UC Davis to study animal science. During her time at UC Davis, they fully immersed themselves in their studies, grasping every opportunity to expand her knowledge and skills. They actively sought out hands-on experiences and internships. Upon completing their studies, they moved to Sacramento, where she currently resides. Their decision to relocate was motivated by their desire to find new opportunities and embrace a fresh chapter in their life. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, they remained determined to pursue a sense of community. In their free time, they actively give back to their community as a volunteer docent at the local zoo. This role allows her to share her knowledge and passion for animals with visitors, educating them about conservation efforts and promoting animal welfare.  Aside from her animal-related interests, they attempt painting.  Additionally, she loves visiting the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, where she finds inspiration in the various exhibits and artist performances.

Addison (he/him/his) was raised in Sacramento and attended college at the University of California at Santa Cruz where he studied the History of Art and Visual Studies. He moved back to Sacramento in 2022 to be reunited with the beautiful River and trees. Since then has adopted two kittens named Magic and Village.

Addison recently joined the center as an On-Call Housing Advocate. He is drawn to radical approaches to mental health and has been volunteering with Trans Lifeline for the past year and a half. He is passionate about supporting queer and trans youth and feels lucky to be working with the center to support the needs of youth in the Sacramento area.

When he isn’t spending time at the river or with his cats, Addison loves taking classes at Los Rios and writing songs with his band. He is currently taking the ASL language series and Conversational Spanish.

Stanley Clover (he/they) is excited to be joining the Sacramento LGBT Community Center as the Tri-Counties Youth Resource Coordinator. Stanley graduated from Laguna College of Art & Design with a Bachelor’s in Illustration in Entertainment Design, which is where he was able to build a strong community with various queer people, and eventually step into his trans masculine identity. After working various jobs, he decided to pivot his career with his transferable skills that would allow him to better serve his community.

Stanley feels very passionate about creating and uplifting media that better represents those within the LGBTQ+ community that have historically been poorly represented, and/or under-represented. He feels that the best way to create that kind of media is to directly interact with real life people and better understand their experiences, their struggles, and their joy. That passion is one of the biggest factors that has led Stanley to his current position at the Center.

In his free-time, you can find Stanley going on hikes with his partner, taking care of his plants, baking sweets, drawing, and playing with his cat.

Marcella Araiza (She/Her-They/Them) is the Mental Health Clinician-Youth/ TAY Services. She is very excited and grateful to join the Sacramento LGBT Community Center.  She is a first generation Mexican American who was raised in California and the Northwest as a migrant farmworker.

Marcella is a bilingual therapist who provides co-occurring therapy to LGBTQIA+ youth.  She is passionate, inclusive, non-judgmental and open minded with her work.   She is a trauma informed therapist that uses various evidenced based modalities and provides/teaches techniques and interventions to her clients so they can learn to manage their own mental health when they leave treatment.

Marcella graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California University, Fresno and Master degree in Counseling at the University of Phoenix of San Diego.

She loves backpacking, horseback riding, traveling and working out at the gym.  She also is very active in helping to raise her grandchildren.

Sarah Weber (she/her) is excited to join the Center as a Harm Reduction Community Organizer. Passionate about harm reduction, the rights of people who use drugs, and public health approaches to substance use, she previously served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in Lake County, CA, where she engaged with agencies and organizations to increase access to naloxone (Narcan) and prevent overdose. She graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Science, Technology and International Affairs and a minor in Russian. Sarah is originally from Albuquerque, NM, and keeps a special place in her heart for freshly roasted green chile. Outside of work, she enjoys sewing, knitting, reading, and long walks.

Shalimar Boulos (they/them), LCSW, MPH joins the Sacramento LGBT Community Center as the Licensed Mental Health Clinician for Adult Services. Shalimar earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Sexuality Studies from University of California, Davis and a Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health San Diego State University. They proceeded to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker by providing services to individuals with serious mental illness who also struggled with substance use and chronic homelessness. Shalimar has 5 years of experience providing non-judgmental mental health care to adults from all backgrounds in a way that helps them achieve their hopes and dreams.

Shalimar’s practice focuses on community care and a strengths-based approach that centers the client’s needs and goals. They are a firm believer that isolation is one of the biggest causes of mental health crises and challenges. They encourage their clients to engage in the therapeutic process to learn skills in a safer and supportive environment. They also utilize their personal experiences as a queer person of color, child of immigrants, and neurospicy adult to relate to their clients in a genuine way. One of their core mottos during sessions is “I am using my skills and education to help provide you options that help you reach your goals.”

Outside of The Center, Shalimar is an active educator in the wider BDSM/kink community both locally and nationally with a social justice and culturally aware approach. They are an avid crafter and artist and will often donate their crocheted creations and art to local non-profits. The nuances of social justice issues and less discussed topics (such as sex work, BDSM/kink, equity in healthcare, patient accessibility to care, and many more) are their special interest. They are a lifelong student and strive to use what they learn to make themselves and their communities better.