Alex

(they/them)

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE. Alex contributes to the development of community program/events and is a primary delivery agent for these efforts.

For more information, use tabs below.

    • Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education: Youth & Training, English Literature from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (2020)

    • Associate of Arts in Psychology from Iowa Western Community College (2019)

    • Associate of Arts in Education: K-12 from Iowa Western Community College (2016)

    • Substitute Resource Teacher, Bright Horizons (2021-Current)

    • Youth Specialist, AmeriCorps International Council for Refugees & Immigrants (2022-2023)

    • 9th Grade Case Manager, AmeriCorps NE (2019-2020)

    • Program Manager, Student Service & Leadership Collaborative (2019-2020)

Benson

(she/they)

THERAPY DOG. Benson contributes to the agency’s Best Life Behavioral Health & Wellness program as an agent of softness and support. She is certified through Alliance of Therapy Dogs and is always up to date on her vaccines.

Benson loves belly scratches, cuddling, snoozing on the job, and chasing bubbles!

    • Alliance of Therapy Dogs (2024)

      • Exam 1 of 3: Passed!

      • Exam 2 of 3: Passed!

      • Exam 3 of 3: Passed!

    • Meet Benson at Omaha ForUs! She loves bubbles, shadow work, and sleeping.

    • Good Dawg Award, 2020

    • Best Bubble Biter, 2024

Brae

(they/them)

PROJECT MANAGER. As project manager, Brae supports leadership capacity through addressing program evaluation, continuous improvement, mental health programming, and special projects.

For more information, use tabs below.

    • Master of Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (2023-Current)

    • Master of Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (2023-Current)

    • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (2021)

      • Concentration: Inequality & Social Justice

      • Minors: Political Science & LGBTQ+ Studies

    • Social Work Associate, Omaha ForUs (2024-2025)

    • Crisis Counselor, Boys Town (2024)

    • Research Coordinator & Lab Manager, Midlands Sexual Health Research Collaborative at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (2022-2024)

    • Program Manager, Huespring (2022-2023)

    • Scholar, Huespring (2021-2022)

    • Court Watching Clerk, ACLU of Nebraska (2022)

    Certifications

    • Youth Mental Health First Aid (2024)

    • Project Harmony Family Acceptance Project (2024)

    • CITI Program Group 3: Social/Behavioral Course, Stage 2 (2023-2026)

    • Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work (2024-Current)

    • The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (2020-2021, 2025-Current)

    • Alpha Kappa Delta International Honor Society of Sociology (2020-2021)

    • Sharon Hudson Service Award (2021)

Bug

(they/them)

YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR. Bug contributes to the development of youth community programs and is a primary delivery agent for these efforts.

For more information, use tabs below.

    • Associate’s Degree from Metro Community College (2025)

    • Teaching Artist/Summer Camp Lead, Omaha Girls Rock (2021-2024)

    • Co-founder/Zine Fair Organizer, Alternative Publishing (2023-Current)

    • Co-Founder/Board Member/Camp Lead, Pride Rock Iowa City (2017-2019)

    • Board Member/Volunteer Coordinator, Girls Rock Iowa City (2014-2020)

    • Americorps Member, United Action for Youth (2015-2018)

CJ, LIMHP, LICSW

(any pronouns)

MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER. As a Licensed Independent Mental Health Professional and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, CJ oversees the Best Life Behavioral Health & Wellness program at the Center, which includes one-on-one, couples, and family therapy as well as peer-facilitated support groups.

For more information, use tabs below.

    • Master of Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (2022)

    • Endorsement, Early Childhood Education & Teaching from Creighton University (2020)

    • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education & Teaching from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (2016)

    • Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences from Bemidji State University (2013)

    • Mental Health Practitioner, Private Practice (2023-Current)

    • Huespring Scholar (2022-2023)

    • Assistant Director/School Social Worker, Nelson Mandela Early Childhood Development Center (2021-2023)

    • Educator, Nelson Mandela Early Childhood Development Center (2019-2021)

    • Educator, Omaha Public Schools (2017-2019)

    • Educator, Elkhorn Public Schools (2016)

JohnCarl, MPA

(they/them)

FOUNDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. JohnCarl’s intersectional queer, nonbinary, and Jewish identities foster deep commitment to the principle of Tikkun Olam - ‘repairing the world,’ and a passion to change it for the better.

For more information, use tabs below.

    • Master of Public Administration, Nonprofit Management from University of Nebraska at Omaha (2010)

    • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (Magna Cum Laude) and Psychology (Cum Laude) from Hastings College (2006)

    • Certificate of Completion in Urban Arts & Urban Diversity from Chicago Center for Urban Life & Culture (2006)

    • Chairperson, Omaha Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board

    • Member, Nebraska Institute for Holocaust Education Governance Council

    • Member, City of Omaha Community Advisory Board, DEI Strategic Planning Board

    • Member, ACLU of Nebraska Trans Rights Advisory Team

    • Director of Communications & Program Development, Holland Children’s Institute/Holland Children’s Movement, (2019-2021)

    • Program Coordinator , Heartland Family Service (2015-2019)

    • GLSEN National Advisory Council (2011-2021)

    • GLSEN Omaha Board of Directors (2007-2019)

    • Director, UNO Student Agency of Gender & Sexual Orientation (2007-2008)

    • Outreach Intern/Special Projects, Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund (2006)

    • 40 Under 40 - Midlands Business Journal (2021)

    • Ten Outstanding Young Omahans - Jaycees (2018)

    • Change Leader Award - Heartland Family Service (2018)

    • Advocate of the Year - Heartland Pride (2017)

    • Who’s Who - Hastings College (2006)

Torie

(they/them)

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR. Torie coordinates the Center’s daily workflow, facilities, and volunteers. They are the primary delivery agent of visitor & volunteer experience in the center space.

For more information, use tabs below.

    • Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education: Youth & Training from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (2021)

    • Client Specialist, Woodhaven Counseling Associates (2022-2024)

    • Scholar, Huespring (2022-2023)

    • Assistant Family Teacher, Boys Town (2020-2022)

    • Program Manager, Student Service & Leadership Collaborative (2019-2020)

    • Director of Queer & Trans Services, University of Nebraska at Omaha (2019-2020)

    • University of Nebraska at Omaha

      • Outstanding Student Agency Director - Queer & Trans Services (2021)

      • Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Gender Equity Award (2020)

“I believe in social dislocation and creative trouble.”

— Bayard Rustin

Board of Directors

  • Amanda Crichlow Silva (she/her)

    President

  • Tena Hahn Rodriguez (she/her)

    Secretary & Treasurer

  • Alexander Foreman (he/him)

    Director

  • Andy Lim (he/him)

    Director

  • Erin Sundberg (she/her)

    Director

  • Christina Brownlee (she/her)

    Director

Committee Chairs

  • Buddy Sims (he/him)

    Guild President

  • Ang R. Bennett (they/them)

    Arts & Culture Chair

  • Board of Directors

    Works with executive director and staff to set strategic direction and ensure effective mission delivery. Board members serve up to three, two-year terms.

    There are no current board vacancies. There are many ways to get involved without being a board member, including committees, special events, or special projects. Check back here for opportunities.

  • Standing Committees

    Facilitate critical functions of the Board.

    Arts & Culture Committee: Charged with curating programming and artwork for Center permanent/rotating collections.

    The Guild: plans major fund/friend-raising events, to build community-centered financial investment in our work.

  • Volunteer

    The most important contribution ANYONE can give is their time. From cleaning to phone calls and filing, we need YOUR help. If you’re interested in volunteering, please select “Support” from the menu at the top of your screen, then “Volunteer”. Our volunteer training orientations are set to be rolled out by August 2024! The best way to volunteer currently is to show up to events, donate, and spread the word!

“If I wait for someone else to validate my existence, it will mean that I’m shortchanging myself.”

— Zanele Muholi