Renn Duffey (They/Them) - Director of Safe Homes
Renn is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst where they received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Throughout college, they focused on early childhood and adolescent development, with a particular interest in assisting youth through various mental health and identity concerns. They were a teacher’s assistant for two years in an LGBT psychology seminar, where they received an Outstanding Teacher’s Assistant Award for their implementation of self-developed workshops on various issues affecting the mental health of LGBTQIA+ individuals. As a teenager, Renn attended Safe Homes Worcester and was a Peer Leader for two years. Being a part of Safe Homes taught Renn vital lessons about inclusivity and fighting for your beliefs, and the lessons they learned there have inspired them ever since. They hope to bring the same empathy, hard-work, and sense of belonging to Safe Homes that was given to them as a teenager and can’t wait to see how the program grows!
Otto Ruderman (He/They) - Safe Homes Lead Peer
Otto is currently a student majoring in Psychology. He is focusing on counseling with an interest in gender and sexuality, in hopes of someday becoming a queer affirmative therapist. During high school, they were the lead facilitator and president for their GSA, where he organized and led many programs, activities, and trainings for students and teachers to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community. Otto has been regularly attending Safe Homes since 2016, and was a peer leader for three years previous to their current role. In their free time, Otto enjoys baking, crocheting and playing video games.
Maxwell Farrell (He/Him) - Safe Homes Peer Leader
Maxwell is currently a college student and is majoring in Psychology. He hopes to work in the field of mental health, particularly in a role involving the LGBTQIA+ community, in the future. Maxwell has been attending Safe Homes since 2018, and has been working as a Peer Leader since 2020. He spends his free time making art, baking, and spending time with his pets.
Matt Lee (He/Him) - Safe Homes Commonwealth Corps Intern
Matt is a student at Clark University studying Economics and Political Science and he is joining the Safe Homes team for 2022-23 as a Commonwealth Corps Intern. He is passionate about addressing housing inequality for marginalized groups, particularly queer-identifying individuals. After graduating he is hoping to go back to graduate school and work towards equitable urban economic development. Outside of school and work, Matt loves watching and playing tennis, hiking, and going to concerts. Although new to Safe Homes, Matt is excited to work, learn, and have fun in a queer space and provide support for new and frequent participants!
Alice Cleghorn (She/Her) - Safe Homes Commonwealth Corps Intern
Alice is serving with Safe Homes for 2022-2023 as a Commonwealth Corps Intern. She is passionate about giving back to her community, in the same way Safe Homes was there for her years ago when she would attend as a youth. Alice hopes to apply her newfound knowledge and skills from working with LGBTQIA+ individuals to the field of STEM, in efforts to combat misrepresentation and discrimination of marginalized peoples in the science community. Apart from Safe Homes, Alice enjoys all things art related, such as electric guitar, drawing, singing, and crafting.