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Evelyn BruMar is the executive director/president and founder of Casa BruMar Foundation; a nonprofit that helps to bridge the gap that leaves the LGBTQ+ community behind when it comes to equality that is equitable in education, social services, and human dignity in the commonwealth of Virginia and Prince William County (PWC).  Last year Evelyn launched a COVID-19 grant program to help LGBTQ+ youth (18-25) who found themselves negatively financially impacted. Evelyn worked with PWC public school district to have them recognized LGBTQ+ Pride Month for the 1st time in their public schools. She helped to organize the 1st LGBTQ+ Pride Rally in PWC. She worked to pass the 1st LGBTQ+ Pride Month Proclamation in PWC in 2018 and for the following two years.  And Evelyn BruMar is the first Latinx Lesbian to serve the county of Prince William as one of their Human Rights Commissioners.

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I come from a small town in Pennsylvania, and I have lived in rural towns and metropolitan cities. Now I live in the suburbs, right next to a rural area, and it's not easy to find a community out here. I wanted to help build a community center to provide shelter, care, and resources to our LGBTQ+ community, and that's our long-term goal here at Casa BruMar Foundation.2020 was kind of a bust, we couldn't have our Symposium, and we had to shift our priorities around a bit. We did so, and we actually provided tangible help to a few  people who were in need. I am glad we were able to do that. The word is getting out about us, and people are contacting us more and more. This is why I am here, to at least direct people to resources, or to directly help them, if we can. I am proud to start my second term as Secretary and appreciate the rest of our Board members and Committee Chairs, and, of course, all of our supporters. We couldn't do any of this without you. 

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I grew up in one of the world’s most progressive cities and went to an arts High School. It was amazing and everything a kid who adored being the center of attention could have asked for. Besides providing me a world-class education and teaching me the skills that would one day make me one of the greatest shower singers I know, it was also a place where its students felt very open about expressing and exploring their sexuality. One close friend in particular – we’ll call him John – was unapologetically gay and I loved him for it. I’m talking sitting in front of our lockers belting out show tunes kind of gay. We had come to learn that John would pack up this personality before he got home. Being from a “traditional” family and not having had any conversations to the contrary, his parents just assumed that he was straight, and John felt it best to live that lie.By our sophomore year of High School John struggled with the ability to maintain his double life. So halfway through the school year and a few months into a healthy relationship John felt that it was time to come out to his family. He never spoke to us about what happened, but by the next morning John no longer had a home or a family that acknowledged him.It broke our hearts. We pooled our resources as best we could, but we were teenagers and limited. We consulted with our parents, and at times were able to temporarily find space for him in our homes. But that situation was untenable, and the feeling of helplessness we had for John was nothing compared to the abandonment he felt, caused by nothing more than a decision to be brave and speak his truth. He was a kid. He needed stability. He needed to know that it was ok.We’ve come to know this as “safe space.” And when you’re out of options, this is everything.John’s story worked out ok. He went on to college and is currently in a stable, loving, and – according to his social media posts – happy relationship. But to watch him struggle in his darkest hours is just one of the many reasons that I needed to become involved with Casa BruMar. It has been two decades since I graduated high school and the world has progressed some, but there are still far too many people who do not feel comfortable in their own homes and are unable to reveal to their families who they truly are.When Evelyn told me that she was creating a safe space for the LGBT+ community not just to feel secure in who they are, but to also provide resources for mental health, social services, housing, and community education I was eager to offer my assistance in any way she needed me. The thought of children being shunned because their parents and families are closed-minded is devastating and I immediately felt compelled to do whatever I could to help. We may not be able to change everyone’s minds, but I am so proud to be a part of an organization that provides a home for LGBT+ youth and their families.

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LeNelle M. Mozell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has been practicing in the social services field for more than 20 years. A native of North Carolina, LeNelle received her Bachelor's degree from Duke University in 1992 (Go Blue Devils!!!) and moved to Boston, MA after graduation. She worked with children with severe emotional and behavioral problems for 9 years, in a substantially-separate school setting as well as in short-term residential settings. After deciding to finally get a degree in the field she loves, she received her Masters in Social Work in 2003 from the Simmons School of Social Work in Boston, MA. LeNelle practiced with substance abuse clients for four years post-graduation while also doing private practice work with children. In 2007, LeNelle decided to return to a more southerly locale and moved to Virginia. She currently works full-time with adult clients who have Substance Use Disorders. She also works part-time as a therapist with children, her population of choice.LeNelle’s interest in the LGBTQI+ population began early in her career, as she has always worked to find solutions to the challenges often presented for this population. This is especially true with the young, as they have often been marginalized. LeNelle is excited about working with Casa BruMar to extend the service offerings for this population of young adults.

Victoria Staubly is a software engineer as well as a local
activist/volunteer. Activism is in her blood, and she attended her first
civil rights march at the age of 1 in a stroller. She grew up in West
Virginia, then attended college (Johns Hopkins) in Baltimore, and
gravitated to northern Virginia for tech jobs (and love). She was active
in several trans support groups in the 1990's, and relishes this
opportunity to help the LGBTQ+ community (especially local youth). In
addition to working with Casa BruMar, she is often going door to door for
LGBTQ (and LGBTQ-friendly) candidates.

Pronouns: she/her/hers  Megan Adair Casteel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is honored to work with LGBTQ+ youth among her clients. Megan previously worked as a school social worker in Fairfax County, supporting students, families, and staff in public schools, a public day school, and a private day school. For three years she served as president of the Fairfax Association of School Social Workers (FASSW). Before returning to graduate school to pursue her social work degree, Megan had worked for several years in public media at WETA in Shirlington, VA. Megan grew up in Vermont and earned her B.A. from Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Soon after, she earned a Master’s of Producing Film and Television from Royal Holloway in Egham, Surrey (England), and later her MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University. Megan hopes to bring her non-profit, advocacy, and mental health experience to help Casa BruMar Foundation support, and provide a safe space for, LGBTQ+ youth (and adults) in the community.

Pronouns: she/her/hers  Janine Byers, graduate of James Madison University (B.A. Spanish) and George Mason University (M.Ed.), has taught and/or lived in Prince William County since 1993. She co-founded Battlefield High School’s Peer Trainer Program, an anti-bullying, anti-discrimination program directly affiliated with the Anti-Defamation League. As co-sponsor of this program, Janine was awarded the PWCS Classy Award- Exemplary Achievement in Education and the VDOE Education Award-Leadership in Cultural Diversity. She has also been a Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award nominee for Osbourn High School (2002) and Patriot High School (2014). As a community volunteer, she enjoys helping our homeless population (Haymarket Food Pantry, NVFS SERVE), raising money for families of children battling cancer (Special Love, ACTS RVA, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital), and providing free translating/interpreting services for our Spanish-speaking population. Janine is most proud to be mom to three amazing children, two of whom are members of the LGBTQIA+ community. She is a member of PWC PFLAG and is humbly proud to call herself an LGBTQIA+ ally. She is excited to be a Casa BruMar board member is looks forward to helping the foundation grow and thrive.

Marian Patey

Pronouns she / her

B.A. Douglass College, Rutgers University 1976

M.F.A. Costume and Set Design George Washington University 1985

M.Ed George Washington University 1997

As an educator, I taught at Catholic University as an adjunct theater professor and was the Hartke Theater’s costume designer, 1985-1987. In 1988, I was an adjunct theater professor at George Mason University, and I have recently retired from Fairfax County Public Schools as an English teacher and costumier with twenty-five years of service. While a teacher at Chantilly High School, I was the faculty advisor for the Young Democrats and a member of GSA.

I have been a social / political activist since I relocated with my husband, Carl, from New Jersey to Virginia in 1985. As a social political activist, I was

· Arlington NOW President 1985-1987

· Arlington NOW member and AIDS Activist (Whitman Walker Clinic) 1987-1995

· Prince William County Democratic Committee member 1991 to present

· Brentsville MDDC Chair 1992- 1995

· Brentsville MDDC member 1995-2010

· Coles MDDC member 2010-present

· Coles MDDC Vice-chair 2010-2020

· Coles MDDC Chair 2020-2022

Currently I am

· Coles MDDC Treasurer 2022-present

· MMPCDC Associate member 2021-present

· Casa BruMar Board of Director member 2022

As the “newbie” on the Board, I am very excited. I believe there is a great need in the Northern Virginia area and the entire Commonwealth for the Casa BruMar Foundation. As a social / political activist and educator, I have worked with LGBTQ+ at-risk teenagers for over thirty years. I have seen, first-hand, the trauma experienced by those who are considered “outliers” due to their sexual orientation. It was and is heartbreaking.

Therefore, I feel it is incumbent upon me to do my very best, as a Board member, to work with the Casa BruMar Foundation so that all will feel loved, will experience a true sense of worth, and a find positive place in the world for themselves. Kudos to Casa BruMar!