THE PEOPLE BEHIND GLOBE
OUR VOLUNTEER ASSET TEAM
Vision: Snohomish County LGBTQIA+ youth and their allies are able to live and thrive in a safe, educated, and integrated community that supports healthy development of their emotional, spiritual, physical, sexual, and gender identities.
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Mission: To make Snohomish County a safe and nurturing community for LGBTQIA+ youth by enhancing the physical, emotional, sexual, and spiritual well-being of youth, providing positive interaction with adult role models, providing community education, and developing resources for and about LGBTQIA+ youth.
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Formation of the Assets Team: In 1988, the GLOBE facilitators made the decision to enlist the support of other LGBTQIA+ adults to broaden the support available to the youth involved. Called the Assets Team, this group of adult volunteers submit applications, complete a background check and reference checks, and then participate in an interview with GLOBE youth and current Assets Team members. Assets Team members alternate attending weekly groups to assist with facilitation. They also assist with seasonal events such as the summer picnic, fundraisers, and the annual Links and Alliances Conference.
STAFF
The staff members who facilitate GLOBE and coordinate the Assets Team volunteers are professionals who have a long history working with LGBTQIA+ youth and specifically with GLOBE.
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Brenda Newell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Children's Mental Health Specialist. Brenda has been a facilitator with GLOBE since 1997. She has been serving on diversity committees and providing community education and awareness since 1997.
OUR STORIES
Melanie
She/Her
Member since 1998
Why do you volunteer with this group?
Once I found out about GLOBE I wanted to be a part of a program that makes such a positive difference in young people's lives. GLOBE made me realize that so many young people have such difficulties in their lives. I was so blind to the experience of teens as I did not have the same experiences
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What do you do with your time outside of GLOBE?
My profession is a police dispatcher and 911 operator where I spend many hours working. Outside of work I enjoy cooking, travel, time with my wife and friends, and time with our 4-legged children.
Brenda
She/Her
Member since 1997
Why do you volunteer with this group?
When I started with GLOBE it truly was the only resource for LGBTQIA+ youth in Snohomish County. I felt passionate about being part of a program that provided a safe place for Queer youth to show up, be themselves, feel safe and supported, to access resources, and to have fun together. Across the years this need has not changed. The youth have been my teachers and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share in their journeys. Many years ago one youth developed the phrase that became our weekly mantra for GLOBE. "Welcome to GLOBE, the most fabulous place to be on a Wednesday night!" I feel just as passionate today as I did in 1997 about the importance of GLOBE in our community and the need to show up for our youth. My hope is that as long as the need exists, that GLOBE will be a place that our youth call their own.
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What do you do with your time outside of GLOBE?
I have a counseling practice that serves the LGBTQIA+ community, and I provide consultations, training and education to organizations, schools and businesses on behalf of the Queer community. My wife and I also live in Monroe with our small family of goats and our cats. I provide equine/animal assisted therapy as part of my counseling practice and am the Clinical Director for One Heart Wild, an animal sanctuary in Kitsap County. I love photography and my favorite pastime is taking pictures of nature and animals.
Phoenix, Two Spirit
Cree First Nations/Scots
He/She/They
Member Since 2016
Why do you volunteer with this group?
I want to help support youth who are questioning, or confirming, their gender or sexual identity.
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What do you do with your time outside of GLOBE?
I'm retired but always busy. I'm currently building my forever home, and that is taking up much of my time. I'm also involved with supporting Native Two Spirit youth on the Rez. I was also the founder/producer of the first ever Snohomo Pride Festival in 2017 and continued to produce it in 2018.
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Jesse
He/Him
Member Since 2019
Why do you volunteer with this group?
Everyone needs people they can rely on and that help them feel like they belong. I feel really honored to be able to provide that to the youth that participate in GLOBE.
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What do you do with your time outside of GLOBE?
I like spending time with my family, including my two kids and my amazing spouse. Professionally I work with homeless housing policy on a national level developing tools communities can use to improve their systems. I am obsessed with impactful data visualization and making data better understood and utilized. I also have a small business selling my artwork – primarily paintings.
Amy alias Amy Pie
She/Her
Member Since 2000
Why do you volunteer with this group?
I volunteer because I care about kids and because of the fabulous group of volunteers who also care and support queer youth through Globe. I've met amazing kids, who have taught me so much.
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What do you do with your time outside of GLOBE?
I like to be arty-farty with a focus on repurposing. I like spending time with friends playing cards.
Brandon
He/Him/His
Member Since 2000
Why do you volunteer with this group?
I first joined GLOBE as a youth back around 2000 or so. After I aged out in 2003, I waited a bit and decided to become part of the Assets
Team shortly after. I choose to come back to volunteer as I want to make sure GLOBE is able to help others as I was helped as a youth.
GLOBE helped get me off the streets after being told I couldn't be that way in my parent's house, and gave me great role models on how
you can be an adult and part of the community in so many different ways.
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What do you do with your time outside of GLOBE?
Outside of my time at GLOBE, I work and go to school. For hobbies, I enjoy reading, video games and road trips.
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Amber
They/amber
Member Since 2019
Why do you volunteer with this group?
This is a group that has deep heart and meaning for me. GLOBE raised me and took me when I was seeking connection and community. I am passionate about empowering youth and uplifting voices.
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What do you do with your time outside of GLOBE?
​I am a holistive therapeutic bodyworker and going to graduate school for mental health counseling. I love to go hiking with my partners and our dogs, relax and garden, and go on adventures. I love to cook and be in nature. I also celebrate rest and relaxation, especially when I have access to a bathtub.