Meet the Committee

The Connecting for Change Youth Leadership program is organized by a Youth Committee, comprised of youth age 14-22 from the local region. These young people come from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds and it is this diversity of perspective that gives the Youth Program so much energy and richness.

To take the youth committee to the next level a mentoring program has been implemented. The mentors are compromised of local community activists and educators. They are community leaders committed to social change and empowering young minds. Each mentor is connected to work with one particular youth committee member throughout the year leading up to the conference on career exploration, conference program planning and personal development.
 

CONNECTING FOR CHANGE YOUTH COMMITTEE

KARLEN King-22-New Bedford, MA

CYRENA Thibodeau-17-Mattapoisett, MA

JESSICA Hillman-17-Wareham, MA

ZANETTA King- 19-New York, NY

JUSTINE Diaz- 17-Providence, RI

JAQUAN Gilchrist- 16-New Bedford, MA

RYAN Fisher-18-New Bedford, MA

DEVONTE Hunt-17- New Bedford, MA

MCKAILA Coulter- 16-Fairhaven, MA

CONNECTING FOR CHANGE YOUTH MENTORS

ERIK Andrade, New Bedford, MA

CHELSAE Biggs, Providence, RI

ANGEL Diaz, New Bedford, MA

MARTY Driggs, New Bedford, MA

Marty grew up in a small town in Massachusetts and has since traveled across the country a couple times in an effort to define his niche in the movement for just and sustainable future. He has discovered an affinity for direct action as a means of raising awareness and building community. For the last two years, Marty has been largely focused on exposing the true cost of coal and debunking false solutions to climate change, and has become dedicated to the transition of our society to a sustainable Earth Community. Last year he traveled across the country as an eco-carnie with the educational extravaganza known as the Sustainable Living Roadshow. Marty recently returned to his hometown in Massachusetts, where he's hoping to find balance, and bridge the gaps between radical sustainability, activism, and spiritual development. In his free time he likes to read about various esoteric topics, listen to bass-heavy electronic music, and go far off the deep end in late-night discussions.

KALIA Lydgate, New Bedford, MA

Kalia grew up in Santa Cruz, CA and at an early age fell in love with the tide pools and Redwoods. She graduated from Wesleyan University in 2007 with a degree in Social Ecology. She has been the Youth Coordinator for the Marion Institute for the past two years and is now very excited to be moving into a new position as the Director of the Green Jobs, Green Economy initiative, a new program of the Marion Institute. She will work closely with the City of New Bedford and Community Organizations to make the most of stimulus funding for green jobs. She’ll also continue the work she’s been doing with the MA Green Jobs Coalition (MAGJC), which she co-founded in 2008. She is interested in doing things differently and is motivated by both frustration and hope. She thinks that there is nothing more powerful than hope. Her main interest is in bridging the gap between social justice and sustainability movements and using creative self-expression to fuel the movement. Kalia has studied ecology and conservation in Madagascar and Guyana, taught sustainability through hip hop to New Bedford youth, and in the in between moments does spoken word, salsa dancing, and other random creative ventures. She is thrilled to be working with such an astounding group of young people to plan this year’s Youth Initiative!

GLENN Oliveira, Marion, MA

Glenn is a native Southcoaster, born and raised in Marion, MA. After attending college at Shepherd University in West Virginia and traveling, Glenn returned to the Southcoast over five years ago. He began working for the Marion Institute in 2007 and is currently the events and membership director. This is his first year on the advisory committee and he is looking forward to sharing his passion for sustainability, local food, people powered transportation, being active and enjoying life with this year's youth committee!

MICHELLE Prevost, Providence, RI

Michelle Prevost joined the Marion Institute in 2008 as the Volunteer Coordinator for Connecting for Change: A Bioneers by the Bay Conference. She has been the Development Coordinator for Cambodian Living Arts, a Program of the Marion Institute, since 2009. Michelle’s primary responsibilities are to support the program's development related activities and serve as on-site liaison for all administrative matters between Cambodian Living Arts and the Marion Institute.
Before coming to the Marion Institute, Michelle taught English in Miyakaki, Japan with the JET Programme. She has her B.A. from Colorado College in Environmental Policy and Economics. Her Senior Thesis focused on community-based conservation and development programs in the East Usambara Mountains of Tanzania where she studied abroad. She is passionate about making the arts come alive in Cambodia and all the work the Marion Institute does to improve the health of the planet and its people. Outside of the office she is a potter, martial artist, hiker, runner and enjoys cooking with fresh, local foods.

ZOË Hansen-DiBello– Youth Coordinator- Providence, RI

Zoe assumed the position of Youth Coordinator in May of 2009. She grew up in Providence, RI where she graduated from the Met High School and continued on to The University of Connecticut where she studied fisheries management and maritime policy. Since graduating she has moved back to Providence. She feels passionate about empowering youth through sharing their stories through music art and political action. She feels lucky and honored to assume a position that allows her to do just that every day.