Meet the Team!

Sydney Chomicz (She/Her) - Program Coordinator

 Sydney is the Program Coordinator for Safe Homes. She is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the   team and looks forward to making new connections within the program. She attended Eastern   Connecticut State University and studied Developmental Psychology and Sociology and was part of   their University Volleyball Team. Before Safe Homes, Sydney was the Transition Case Manager for   the young adult access center, The PLACE For Empowerment. She also worked previously as a Preschool Teacher. Sydney absolutely loves the outdoors, specifically the beach, and summer is her most favorite time of the year. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, being surrounded by family and friends and most of all, shopping.

Otto Ruderman (They/Them) - Lead Peer

Otto is the Lead Peer at Safe Homes. A recent college grad, they studied Psychology to further their knowledge and skills in supporting the mental health of young adults. Otto has been regularly attending Safe Homes since 2016, and was a peer leader for three years prior to their current role. Otto also manages Safe Homes' Transgender Resource Center, which is a vital space for trans and non-conforming youth to gain support and access to gender-affirming supplies. In Otto's free time, they enjoy baking, crocheting and listening to music. 
 

Brigitte Manseau (She/Her) - Clinician

 B currently works between two programs at Open Sky: Safe Homes and the Bridge Counseling   Center. B graduated from Assumption University where she received her master's degree in Clinical   Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies. B has worked with   marginalized youth and young adults in outpatient clinic and school-based settings. As a teenager,   B attended Safe Homes Worcester. Her experience as a youth participant inspired her to pursue a   career in counseling and specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ youth. In B's free time, she enjoys   listening to music, going for drives, playing ukulele, and spending quality time with her loved ones.

Maxwell Farrell (He/Him) - 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.

Alice Cleghorn (She/Her) - Peer Leader

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.

Matt Lee (He/Him) - 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!