About Me

My name is Lydia, and I am a Peer Support Specialist with over 15 years of professional experience in peer support, trauma informed youth engagement, and youth peer support program development, implementation, and evaluation. As a peer support specialist, I want to support neurodiverse queer and transgender folks as they figure out their own goals and what works for them. I want to build a space where those of us who have felt alone know that we are part of a community that gets it.

My lived experience includes school challenges, mental health needs and trauma, and late diagnosed ADHD. My family has been involved with child welfare and mental health systems. Worcester has always been my home. 

When I was a teenager, I did not feel accepted by my family, faith community, or school. I felt alone all the time, even when I was surrounded by other people. It took a lot of trial and error, but eventually I did find peers who understood what I was going through. I was connected to supportive adults who would listen. Eventually, my nervous system and my heart could relax because I knew I found people who would be my community even when I grew and changed.

Everyone deserves to feel belonging. Everyone deserves chosen family and community that uplifts them even when they struggle. I do this work because I believe in the connecting power of our stories. I believe by being vulnerable with ourselves and each other, we can make a home in our world and be happier. It isn't easy, but can be less daunting when we go through it together.