2024 HMI Staff Retreat at Fairview Lake YMCA Camp
HMI held its annual Staff Retreat in late October at Fairview Lake YMCA Camp in Newton, NJ—a perfect day filled with team-building exercises and group activities, from candle-making and tackling the indoor climbing wall to canoeing, and s’mores. Together, we recharged, connected, and returned more inspired than ever to support our incredible young people.
(Photos: Dequan Gambrell, Jahmar Ortiz, Lazara Paz-Gonzalez, Ellis Hyman, Ira Rogers, Asha Alexander)
Bridget leads the development, implementation and evaluation of HMI’s programs for LGBTQIA+ young people and their families, as well as outreach and education initiatives, and strategic partnerships, including HMI’s partnership with Harvey Milk High School and the NYC Dept. of Education. 
On November 17, 2023, Amy Harclerode was officially appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) by HMI’s Board of Directors. Having previously taken on the role of Interim CEO in April 2023, Amy, under her capable leadership, guided HMI through a period of expansion and innovation in response to the mental health crisis affecting queer and trans youth of color. Serving as HMI’s inaugural Chief Development Officer since 2017, Amy played a pivotal role in the organization’s remarkable revenue growth, providing essential support for youth programming, advocacy and capacity building initiatives.
Dedicated to bringing positive social and economic changes to the oppressed and disenfranchised, Joe has served as the Community Organizer and then Executive Director for the New York AIDS Coalition. Joe was also Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations for Harlem United Community AIDS Center and was Director of Special Projects for New York City Councilmember Melissa Mark-Viverito before she became the Council’s Speaker in 2014 at which point he was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff. Prior to coming on board at HMI, Joe served as a Deputy Commissioner at the New York City Department of Homeless Services. 
Bryson Rose currently serves as the Senior Director of the Center for LGBTQ Youth Advocacy and Capacity Building at the Hetrick-Martin Institute. Bryson has spent the past 7 years collaborating with government agencies, educational institutions, and NGOs to build capacity around supporting the needs of LGBTQIA+ youth. Additionally, Bryson spearheads HMI’s advocacy efforts, lobbying for systems-level change at both the local and state level to ensure equity and dignity for LGBTQIA+ youth, communities, and their families. He also serves on the New York State Health and Human Services LGBT Network working to increase access to affirming and culturally responsive mental health services. Prior to this, Bryson was the Program Manager for Adolescent Sexual Health & Reproductive Justice in the Youth Services Division of HMI’s youth programs. 
Soraya Elcock has worked in the social justice and human rights field for over 30 years. She spent 20 of those years fighting for the rights of people of color living with, or at risk for, HIV and AIDS. Responding to the epidemic in the 1990s, Ms. Elcock began her work as an HIV/AIDS Educator for immigrant populations, and developed into a prevention, policy, and strategic leader. Soraya is proud to have created and implement innovative HIV Prevention and Policy strategies and interventions on behalf of People Living with and impacted by HIV and AIDS, women and LGBTQ communities, with a focus on improving access to care. 
Brian Dauth has worked in the non-profit sector for more than 30 years, with the last decade spent at the Hetrick-Martin Institute. He did his undergraduate work at Fairleigh Dickinson University, studying Comparative Literature and Film. His writings have been published by the University of Mississippi Press, the British Film Institute, and other outlets. 
Jose brings over 25 years of experience to HMI working in complex work environments; analyzing and streamlining systems and processes; and building bridges with a multitude of cultures and experiences. 
Trovana first joined HMI in 2018 as Assistant Director of Grants and Contracts and now serves as Senior Director of Compliance and Operations. She monitors all grants, contracts and reporting and ensures HMI’s continuous compliance, quality assurance and program improvement. Through her passion for social innovation and social progress, Trovana liaises with many funders to secure funding and programming for underserved LGBTQIA+ youth so they receive and have access to education, homeless services, healthcare, mental health and economic empowerment services. She has a decade of developing and implementing best practices of compliance programs, including procedures and metrics to track and report on key performance data points and service deliverables. 
Alayne Rosales has worked in the non-profit sector for more than 15 years. Her commitment to social justice, education and LGBTQIA+ youth work, has led Alayne to a variety of positions including as a policy advocate, community organizer, and technical assistance provider. She has managed public and private grants, created tailored curricula, provided supervision to social work staff and graduate level interns, and engaged in policy advocacy strategies affirming LGBTQIA+ youth.
Lazara Paz-Gonzalez, DrPH(c) is a proud Queer Latina/x, born and raised in New Jersey. As the Senior Director of Youth Services at the HMI, Lazara is deeply committed to advancing social, health, and community justice for those living at the margins. 