Our Staff

Demetria is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and holds the professional license of LSW. She hopes to start graduate school soon to obtain an MSW to be a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). Her calling is empowering youth through their journey. Demetria believes that children, youth, and their families all have strengths, resources, and the ability to recover from adversities. Demetria utilizes a strength-based approach that allows one to learn, grow, transform, see opportunities, hope, and solutions. Demetria focuses on strengths, goals, desires, interests, aspirations, talents, knowledge, and resiliency. Demetria believes it is essential to collaborate between different community care providers embracing mutuality and partnership. Demetria focuses on viewing communities as an oasis of potential resources instead of an obstacle. Demetria is passionate about promoting social justice, advocating for marginalized groups, dismantling systemic racial oppression, and raising awareness of the importance of mental health. Demetria enjoys traveling, gardening, baking, reading, and crocheting in her free time.

My name is Trista Miest and I was born in Mason City, Iowa. I moved quite a bit as a child, but I mostly grew up in Minnesota. I completed college in Mankato, MN where I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services.  I am passionate about human services and I have worked in the field for over 10 years. My most recent experience has been in case management in the Twin Cities. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family/friends, hiking, and photography.  

A devoted Mother, Community Activist and Social Justice Reformer; Pastor Marea Perry is committed to community change through the love of Christ ,healing and advocacy. Marea was called to the ministry at the age of 12; however, it would take her another 30 years to respond to that call. As a teen, she discovered her passion for working with youth and creating safe spaces for young people affected by adverse childhood experiences in underserved communities. This led her to join the fight for social justice ,equity and mental health advocacy resources for youth and their families. Pastor Perry continued to blossom as a powerful leader in her community as a criminal, racial and social justice activist; Pastor Perry began to realize that the scales of justice were greatly unbalanced. It became quite clear that the justice system was not just when it came to people of color. It was this realization that drove Pastor Perry to fight aggressively for equality and social justice as a community liaison for Black lives. Pastor Perry worked closely with the Department of Labor, Unions, Subcontractors, and OSHA to ensure fair hiring practices for minorities and women. Her partnership with local law enforcement, churches,community centers and city councils created a foundation to ensure diversion and intervention opportunities to fight systematic oppression. One of her many roles include serving as an ambassador of Metropolitan Community Technical College as part of the criminal justice team working to improve sentencing for drug related offenses and prison reform. After the loss of her eldest son to gun violence, Marea continued to be a pillar of strength to her community and other families with similar experiences. She continues to fight through advocacy and action against school to prison pipeline that disproportionately affects Black and Brown children, working to restore the right of citizens to vote upon returning to the community after incarceration and is the owner of Secrets2Truths an organization that emphasizes turning pain into power. Her organization creates space for a variety of wellness services rooted in teaching communities of color healthy lifestyle choices through mindfulness, yoga,meditation and all things mind , body and soul. Her work is rooted in the idea that it takes a village of positive, supportive adults to equip young people with the tools and skills needed to uplift their voice and walk in the world. Pastor Perry lives by the motto “A second chance doesn’t always mean a happy ending ; It is a chance to end things right!”

Julia was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and moved to the United States when she was 4 years old. She has completed a B.A in Psychology from Winona State University, and is currently enrolled as an MSW student at Augsburg University. Julia is bilingual in English and Spanish, and has worked with the hispanic and other minority communities across several internship and employment opportunities since 2016. She is motivated and passionate in working with youth and adults, and helping them work through mental health issues through a strengths-based lens. When she is not working, Julia is usually studying for her Masters and enjoying hobbies in photography, playing the guitar, and finding new local shops in her area.

Koya Siebie is a biologist from Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her degree from Georgia State University and relocated to Minnesota in 2019 to further her healthcare career. Her transition into birth work began in 2019 with the birth of her god daughter and she has since completed training with Enlightened Mama. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Health at Saint Mary’s University, and Evidence Based Childbirth education certification with Holistic Continuum. Koya’s passion for birth work and accessibility for all led to the creation of Birthin’ Black LLC; a collective of birth workers who emphasize fighting disparities in minority groups. Birthin’ Black services persons of all races, abilities, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. I aim to provide my clients with adequate education, advocacy and preparation for their birthing experience.

Hello! My name is Veronica Swen and I am currently working as a Parenting Coach in Families Forward position with MNCP. I graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Criminology and a Minor in Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies. I have participated in many groups and community services through which I have come to understand the importance and excitement for helping people. Also, gained other experiences and knowledge from working with people who are mentally impair. Also gained experiences from working with people from different racial groups. I am passionate about helping people and building a meaningful, respectful, and impactful community where people will feel safe and equal without them being judged on the color of their skills, race, sexual orientation, sexual identity, nationality, and so forth. Also passionate about helping people find solutions to their problem. Another fun fact about me is, I am a certified CPR and a Sexual Assault Advocate.

Pader (she/her/hers) identifies as a Hmong American female, who was born and raised in Minnesota. Pader is a Child Welfare Scholar and received her Bachelor of Social Work and minor in Child Psychology from Metropolitan State University in December 2020. She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at Augsburg University and will anticipate graduating in August 2024. Pader has been working with children and families for over 3 years from a teacher assistant at KinderCare to an adoption social worker at Ramsey County. She is diligent in her career work and passionate about social justice, dismantling systematic oppression, and advocating for marginalize communities. Pader is bilingual in Hmong and English.

Leann was born and raised in Eastern Iowa, in a very small town. She as been in the twin cities for over 4 years. Leann has served families and helped educate young minds since 2014. Leann brings different perspectives, new strategies, with joy and excitement in helping clients to reach their goals in their growth and development. Leann continues to educate and grow her own knowledge and abilities to help serve people and organizations. Fun fact about Leann is that she loves insects and enjoys having them as pets when able.