Staff
Rush Frazier
Executive Director
They/Them
Rush@youthprideri.org
Rush (they/them) is a Central Massachusetts native with over 20 years of organizing experience. Most recently, Rush was Central/East MA Organizing Coordinator at Neighbor to Neighbor, where they worked with parents, doctors, clergy, and other concerned residents to bring comprehensive sex education to all Worcester Public School youth K-12. They also worked to keep bus fares free throughout Worcester, now in its second year. In previous roles, Rush worked to end the death penalty in New Hampshire.
Rush was Co-Grand Marshal of the Worcester Pride Parade in 2018 and was awarded the Key to the City of Worcester in 2020. In their spare time, Rush is a DJ, practices herbalism, and loves to hike. They are a proud parent of two dogs and two cats.
Andy Taubman, MSW
Director of Youth Service
She/Her/They/Them
Andi@youthprideri.org
Andy graduated with a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Rhode College in the Spring of 2019. They have worked in nonprofits for 20+ years and have a particular love and interest in working with youth, especially being around their energy and being part of the process of helping them navigate adolescence and young adulthood. YPI is particularly appealing to Andy as a queer person who loves the opportunity to work directly with the youngest members of the LGBTQ+ community.
In their free time, Andy performs as a drag king performer, producer, mentor, workshop maker and event manager and community builder. They enjoy hiking with their dog (the world’s prettiest Soi (street) dog that they rescued in Thailand named Saku!), working out, traveling and exploring new places, and flopping on a couch and binge watching TV shows.
Sy Bedrick
Center Coordinator
They/Them
Sy@youthprideri.org
Tiffani Carcieri
Administrative Coordinator
She/Her
Tiffani@youthprideri.org
Tiffani grew up in Providence and received her double major in Psychology and Health Studies from the University of Rhode Island in 2017. Prior to YPI, Tiffani worked at the University of Rhode Island’s Gender and Sexuality Center as Building Manager where she gained great insight and understanding of the LGBTQ community and its unique needs. In addition to the administrative side of things, Tiffani also oversees the Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Coalition, coordinates with YPI donors, and applies for grants. Outside of work, Tiffani can be found reading horror novels or crocheting. She is also the Treasurer on the board of directors for Every-Bodies-Fitness, Inc. and founder of the small business, String as Things, LLC.
In their free time, Andy performs as a drag king performer, producer, mentor, workshop maker and event manager and community builder. They enjoy hiking with their dog (the world’s prettiest Soi (street) dog that they rescued in Thailand named Saku!), working out, traveling and exploring new places, and flopping on a couch and binge watching TV shows.
Lukas Máni Hawthorne
Group Facilitator
Xe/Xem/Xyrs/Mxxr
Lukas@youthprideri.org
A big ol mess with a lot of good intentions, paired with an immensely dodgy memory and a semi functional nose. Lukas first came to YPI in early 2014, and began attending Gender Spectrum in late 2014. Xe is involved with the Providence community at large, with a focused interest in sex education, LGBTQIA politics, and trans healthcare. When not leading YPI’s peer support group, Gender Spectrum, xe is usually tucked away in a quiet corner of the space with a book or craft project, or making something to share in the kitchen. Bad at starting conversations, but always happy to chat.
Paola Mejía
Group Facilitator
She/Her
Paola@youthprideri.org
Currently, Paola is a full time college student, likes spending time with her two dogs, and playing The Sims or Animal Crossing.
Zoe Armstrong
Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Coordinator
She/Her
Zoe@youthprideri.org
Zoe first came to Providence in 2015 as an undergraduate student at Brown University. While she and her partner continue to live in Providence, Zoe now commutes between Providence, Boston, and Worcester for work and school. She is currently enrolled at UMass Boston as a graduate student in the McCormack School’s Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy program. Outside of the classroom, Zoe also works as a community organizer for MassEquality, a grassroots LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization based in Worcester. Zoe joined YPI in February, 2022 as the new Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Coordinator.
Zoe is passionate about intersectional social justice and seeks to address issues facing BIPOC LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities in the belief that improving the experiences of our most marginalized community members results in better outcomes for everyone. Much of her work and research is focused on advocating for inclusive, comprehensive sexuality and relationships education. She is also a strong proponent of prison abolition and sex work decriminlization. Zoe came to work at YPI to be involved in building the supportive queer community space that she herself craved as a queer youth.
Zoe’s hobbies include playing the piano, singing (and forcing her friends to do karaoke), pole dancing, and binge watching any TV show with a sapphic story line.
Joe Di Mauro
Grant Writer
He/Him
Joe currently lives in Boston, but is originally from Warwick Rhode Island. His experience in the non-profit sector has spanned over the last 10 years beginning as an intern for Marriage Equality Rhode Island back in 2012. When he’s not raising money for causes that matter, he’s probably hiking, traveling, rock climbing, or enjoying time with friends. Joe is also back in school pursuing a degree in Software Engineering!
Jessica Peters
PhD Licensed Clinical Psychologist - Clinician
She/Her
Jess@youthprideri.org
Jess has worked as a clinician at YPI since August of 2016, facilitating the Way Out and Thirteen and Under groups and providing individual counseling services on Thursday evenings. She is originally from the Boston area and obtained her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kentucky. She moved to Providence to complete her clinical residency and postdoc at Brown University Med School, where she continues to research adolescent emotional functioning. Her specialized clinical training includes helping people manage difficult emotions, decrease risky behavior (like self-harm, substance use), and deal with challenging relationships. She is also an experienced mindfulness teacher. Throughout her clinical career, she has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ issues and is thrilled to be part of the YPI team. When not working, Jess loves creating and experiencing art, reading, inventing new recipes, and hanging out with her cat.
Kody Harrison
LICSW – Clinician
They / Them
Kody@youthprideri.org
Kody is a clinical social worker and is excited to provide individual counseling services at YPI! Kody has been passionate about working with and advocating for LGBTQ+ youth since they were a queer youth themself, as a peer facilitator of the LGBTQ+ youth group in Hartford, CT way back in 2010. They have worked with youth ever since in community-based, hospital, and residential treatment settings. They moved to Rhode Island in 2013 and love the beauty and diversity of their adopted state.
Kody has specialized training in multiple clinical approaches and evidence-based practices to help people manage strong and difficult feelings and unwanted or unsafe thoughts and behaviors, as well as complicated family relationships. Kody primarily works at Family Service of RI as a clinical supervisor for the in-home trauma treatment program. They often provide training and advocacy to schools, community agencies, and state systems (like DCYF) to promote understanding and support for trans and nonbinary youth.
When they’re not being a clinician, Kody loves walking their dog or listening to podcasts in their hammock.
Kody’s schedule is variable due to their daytime job, but generally they are available in the evenings. To make an appointment with Kody, speak with staff or send an email.
Board of Directors
Guillaume Bagal – Chair
Monique Collins – Treasurer
Greg Tumolo – Secretary
At Large Members:
Lisa Carcieri, Alex Hartley, Jeffrey LaValley, Paola Mejia*, Erin Pavane, Henry Walther
* = Youth Board Member