meet our team
Staff
Dandy Knopf
Site Director
Pronouns: they/them
What are you bringing to the Safe Space?
I am a compassionate individual, driven by love, kindness, and creativity. I’m committed to building a strong community through the Safe Space, offering support and warmth in all situations. My goal is to be a welcoming presence, helping our community thrive with the support of the leadership team, volunteers, and all who join us. Together, we can achieve great things.
What are you looking to take away from this work?
I hope to be part of something much bigger than myself and help fight for the future of our queer community. I've witnessed the positive impact the Safe Space has had on the Harrisonburg and Rockingham communities, and I’m excited to see what we will continue to accomplish—and how I can contribute to that.
bETHANY cHUPP
sAFE sPACE COUNSELOR
Pronouns: she/her
What are you bringing to the Safe Space?
I am bringing a commitment to, and belief in, queer affirming and celebratory mental health support. It is my honor to walk alongside LGBTQ+ individuals through journeys of self-discovery, relationship building, and improved wellbeing. I am excited to support FCSS in expanding mental health services for our community, and bring curiosity and creativity for the various forms these services can take.
What are you looking to take away from this work?
I am hoping to gain from this work a deeper sense of joy and hope for what the future holds for LGBTQ+ folks in Harrisonburg and beyond. In settling in Harrisonburg after growing up in Oregon, it has been a delight to invest in this community I now call home and see it become a safer space for queer existence. FCSS is an exciting and invigorating place to be, and I am thrilled to be serving our community through this organization.
Kirby
Administrative assistant
Pronouns: they/them
Leadership Team
William Martin
Pronouns: he/him
What are you bringing to the Safe Space?
My heart has called Harrisonburg and the valley home for 14 years. I've seen amazing changes in our local queer community in that time. I also bring 3+ years of advocacy experience with Equality Virginia's Speakers Bureau. I look forward to helping us forge an even brighter future for the community.
What are you looking to take away from this work?
I hope to gain lasting connections and future opportunities for personal and community growth.
Toni Chavarria
Pronouns: they/them
What are you bringing to the Safe Space?
I bring years of social media experience to the Space, and I am working to better our online presence and get the word out about our existence!
Rio stanley
Pronouns: they/she
What are you bringing to the Safe Space?
I am a recent college graduate in public relations, and am excited to use this background to help the space grow! As the event coordinator, I am excited to use this background to represent the safe space in a positive light, as well as put public feedback first when it comes to planning events.
What are you looking to take away from this work?
I am looking to gain a deeper connection with the community in Harrisonburg. I have been living in Harrisonburg now for three years, and am always excited to meet new people! I am also hoping to take away a deeper understanding of the communities needs
kory schaeffer
Pronouns: he/him
Our founder
Hyacinth Bellerose
Pronouns: she/they
What are you bringing to the Safe Space?
I am bringing my deep passion for community building, radical hospitality, and culture change. I approach this work as the work of planting seeds for long-term liberation, not just for queer folks but for BIPOC folks, disabled folks, neurodivergent folks, and anyone who has been historically marginalized. I am also a musician and writer, which informs my work creatively in this space. I see organizing work and community building as the work of creation, and love to bring that spirit to my work.
What are you looking to take away from this work?
I am looking to gain connections with many queer folks in this region. Already in nearly three years of this work, I have met more queer folks than I have in my entire life, and that is impossible to overestimate the worth of. I am also looking to take away a deeper understanding of both my queer identity and my privileged identity as a white person doing this work. I want to be continually learning and growing and am so thankful that this is a community where that is encouraged.