Driven and compassionate community members who want to see other community members thrive
Our Group Facilitators
These are the community members who volunteer to facilitate our many support groups. We thank them for donating their time and compassion so that we can offer such a wide variety of support groups.
Emma
Facilitates the Trans and Non-binary Teen Group
Emma has lived in Chico for most of her life. She has a masters in Psychology and has been working with the Stonewall Counseling Program and as a school counselor for several years. She loves the hilarity and awesomeness of children and teens and loves providing a safe space for them to express and create who they are and what they want to share with the world. Emma is queer and pansexual herself and has been involved with the queer and Transgnc community and many Stonewall events over the years. She has facilitated the Transgnc Teen Group for the past five years. Emma loves creating art, being in nature and connecting with people.
Bailey
Facilitates the Trans and Non-binary Teen group
Bailey Smith (she/her) has lived in Chico since 2013. As a queer trans woman and a parent of two older kids who are also part of the LGBTQ+ community, she feels honored and humbled to have this opportunity to spend time with such an amazing group of young people for free! Queer teen joy is just the best. Bailey lives with her younger kiddo (fora little while longer, anyway) and a varying number of cats and enjoys cooking, skiing, musical theatre, and road trips involving getting lost with purpose.
Conner
Facilitates the LGBTQ+ Teen Group and the Transgender Stonewall Group
Conner (he/him) has been active with youth programs since moving to Chico to attend Chico State in 1991. After receiving their teaching credential they chose to stay in the area and pursue their interest in agriculture and animals for many years. Upon discovering the wonderful LGBTQ + community and their authentic Transmasculine identity they shifted their focus to helping this community. You may find him helping folks as a handy-person or doing advocacy and education on a number of school campuses in Butte County. When he is not doing that you can see him at Stonewall volunteering as a group facilitator, hauling stuff around for Chico Pride or attending board meetings. Being in nature, taking photographs and spending time with their partner, hopefully all at the same time rounds out the rest of their fun filled life.
jenn
Facilitates the Daring Dinos Group
Jenn (she/her) is originally from Sonoma County but has called Chico home for the past 19 years. Jenn spends her free time with her two amazing children, usually at one of their many activities or events. She loves her career as a social worker, which allows her to support young children in the north state. Jenn considers herself an advocate for all children, but especially for children who identify as LGBTQIA2S+. Daring Dinos is a safe space for LGBTQIA2S+ kids to play, create, and have fun. For more information about Daring Dinos, contact Jenn at: daringdinos@stonewallchico.org
Julie P.
Facilitates the Older Wiser LGBTQ+ group known as the O.W.Ls
Julie (she/hers) recently moved to Chico from the Pacific Northwest. She is loving the community here and the sunshine! She has been a nurse for over 20 years and a professor for 15 years. As a remote worker new to Chico she acutely understands the importance of connecting socially and is excited to facilitate the OWLs (Older Wiser LGBTQ+) adult group. In her off time you can find her hiking, biking, and enjoying local bluegrass musicians.
Berenice
Facilitates the Oroville Queer Adult Group (ORQA)
My name is Berenice, she/her, and I recently moved to Oroville. I just thought it would be nice to bring the magic of Stonewall Center to this wonderful community. I sincerely appreciate your support and I look forward to working with y'all. Let me know if the name and timing is alright. I thought Mugshots for now to get the ball rolling. If enough people show interest then perhaps move onto a larger space like the Community Center or AAFCC. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.
marisa
Facilitates the Queer Autters Group
Marisa(she/they/he) has been facilitating the Queer Autters for just over a year now and has developed a rich appreciation for the role and group as a whole. A fun fact for you about Marisa: they always have silly stickers on hand for any moment that might call for one. Marisa strives to provide a safe and comfortable environment for all while facilitating. They are driven by the desire to approach new things with empathy and open mindedness. Marisa has hopes of adding more meeting times to the group soon and is considering doing some fun activities with the group in the future. She is looking forward to growing into this role and hopefully watching it expand over time.
Julie
Facilitates the Parents of LGBTQ+ Youth Group
Julie (she/her) is a long time resident of Chico and a retired elementary school teacher. Fall is her absolute favorite time of year because of the brilliant colors! Julie has three wonderful kids, a loving husband and lots of extended family. Working alongside Stonewall activists keeps her fresh and informed. “I learn a great deal and give a little too!”
Cindy
Facilitates the Parents of LGBTQ+ Youth Group
Cindy Pickett (she/her) is the proud parent of two happy and thriving adult children, and an honorary parent to a colorful spectrum of welcome extras. A Chico transplant from Sonoma County, she has enjoyed getting to know the community which greeted her family with open arms. She found crucial support through Stonewall Alliance parent groups in navigating her Trans son’s journey, gaining valuable insight and richer understanding along the way. Helping give other parents a safe place to express a full array of thoughts and to learn from the experiences of others is the perfect way to say thank you.
Andy
Facilitates the Parents of LGBTQ+ Youth Group
Andy Pickett (he/him) was born in Argentina and emigrated to the U.S. with his family when he was ten. After stints in Idaho, Germany, and Sonoma County, he found his way to Chico, which has been home for over a decade. Andy and his wife Cindy have two grown children, plus a number of other youngsters who have enriched their lives, whom they lovingly call their bonus children. Andy was introduced to the LGBTQ+ community when his teenage son came out, and found a tremendous amount of love, support, and encouragement within this community. He enjoys volunteering at Stonewall to be around this beautiful energy.
Nicole
Facilitates the Rainbow Reunion Group
In 2018, Nicole (she/her) moved to Chico "just for the summer." Before she knew it, however, she'd fallen in love with the town, its people, and—especially—the local queer community. She is grateful for all of the care and services Stonewall provides, particularly the opportunities for connection, and she's excited to be facilitating a group for queer young adults in Chico. If there's a play, art show, or drag performance happening in town, you'll likely find Nicole in attendance, and by day, she works as an IT consultant and labor union steward.
Christian
Facilitates the QTPOC Group
Hi everyone some of you may know me by my stage name Will Ryder but my actual name is Christian Lucero and my pronouns are he/him. I’m excited to be the new facilitator for the QT-POC group and look forward to getting to know you in our meetings. Most of my activist work was previously done on stage but anymore my activist work is done during rallies, protest and at the state capitol alongside Equality California. When I’m not fighting for our rights you can find me creating art, reading, building things, kayaking and hiking. I’m a man of many interest and enjoy staying busy in ways that better serve our community. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or suggestions you might have for the group. I hope to meet you soon, stay safe and always remember the world is a brighter place because of you.
*We use the word 'Trans' in its most inclusive sense: encompassing all whose gender identity varies or is different from their sex-assigned-at-birth.