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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.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
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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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.
Rebekah (Becky) Kaska is a nurse practitioner working with veterans in Richmond, Virginia. She seeks to provide equitable healthcare and outreach to underserved populations. Becky grew up abroad in the Dominican Republic, Czechoslovakia, and England. Becky later moved to Manassas, VA and attended high school in Prince William County where she met Marja Kudej. After Marja's passing, Angie Trerotola and Becky wanted to honor their friend and continue her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community in Virginia. Angie and Becky reached out to Casa BruMar Foundation to found the Rise Up scholarship, awarded to student advocates seeking to attend a four year college or university. Becky is proud that the students aided by this scholarship will be able to continue Marja's legacy.
She/Her/Hers
Angie Trerotola is a Manassas native, Fairfax County Resident, and high school social studies teacher. After losing an LGBTQ+ mentor to suicide early in her career, her top priority was creating a safe space for her students where they could learn to use their voice and take charge of their future. In the Fall of 2021, Angie ventured beyond the walls of her classroom to ensure that all PWCS students were guaranteed this dignity through her work as the co-chair of PWEA’s Equity and Inclusion Ad Hoc Committee. Her work in PWCS led to her joining and co-chairing VEA’s LGBTQ+ Ad Hoc Committee, where she advocated to create VEA's “All Are Safe in Virginia” campaign so allies across the state can show support for their LGBTQ+ students. Through VEA, Angie presents with others on how to promote inclusivity and create systemic change against anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Angie reunited with her high school friend Becky Kaska to create the Rise Up Scholarship through Casa BruMar to honor their late friend Marja Kudej. Marja believed in the power of a village and would never let people give up on themselves or their dreams. We hope this scholarship will honor her by helping fund future advocates who are committed to a more inclusive world for all.