Sen Bandoo, Megan Roberts, and Veronica Russell Join Team
Pride Center of Vermont welcomes three staff to its team this January. Sen Bandoo, Megan Roberts, and Veronica Russell join Pride Center of Vermont in part-time roles. These hires fill newly-created and expanded positions within the framework of the organization.
Megan Roberts has been hired for the new role of Transgender Program Health and Wellness Advocate, responsible for supporting transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming Vermonters in meeting their healthcare and wellness needs. Megan will work with the Director of Health and Wellness and the Trans Program Manager to provide trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming Vermonters with advocacy, social spaces, information, and referrals for trans- and gender-affirming care.
With a background in public health, Megan has spent the past 12 years working as a Paramedic in rural Vermont as one of the few out trans medics in the state. She is an active member of The Ishtar Collective – a VT based organization which advocates for sex worker rights both locally and nationally. Born and raised in the UK, Megan has called the Green Mountain State home for 20 years.
“PCVT was such an instrumental part of my early transition and I’m excited to be able to join the team and work to support and uplift all trans folks in VT through resources and event programming.” said Megan. “It’s my dream job!”
Along with Megan Roberts, Sen Bandoo and Veronica Russell have been hired as part-time Health and Wellness Coordinators. Sen and Veronica will work with the Health and Wellness Program Director and Coordinators to produce HIV, STI, & COVID-19 prevention and testing programs, including provider referrals and linkage to care with embedded PrEP Navigation.
Sen Bandoo is finishing up his Bachelor of Social Work at Champlain College where he is interning with Spectrum Youth & Family Services in addition to his new role at Pride Center. Originally from Lynn, Massachusetts, Sen loves photography and dancing badly to Madonna and Beyonce. “I’m excited to get to know our community more and be a part of the Center which is much bigger than me.” Says Sen. “I’m honestly honored to be given the chance to take the knowledge I get and use it for my social work future. LET’S GO!”
Veronica Russell is a graduate of Saint Michael’s College and has served the Chittenden County community as an educator in after-school & summer programs, at Pathways VT, & volunteering to coordinate & plan community events. “I am energized to utilize my experience in navigating social agencies & local resources to support our LGBTQIA+ community,” said Veronica. “I’m committed to using my network in the VT music industry to promote & facilitate queer lead spaces & events.”
Filling these three part-time roles will enable Pride Center to expand outreach and access to some of Vermont’s most marginalized individuals and communities. “ Thanks in part to our Health Equity Grant, Pride Center is able to really focus on increasing outreach, social togetherness, and wellness connections for our THRIVE and Trans Programs.” says Kell Arbor, Pride Center’s Director of Health & Wellness. “These three new hires, as well as our existing staff, will create more opportunities to uplift and center communities that may not always feel welcome and included in LGBTQIA+ spaces.”
All three new hires are onboarding over the next few weeks, and have already begun using their unique skills and experience to connect with the LGBTQIA+ communities of Pride Center.