Valerie Velarde

Valerie is Safe Zone Program Coordinator at University of Utah’s LGBT Resource Center and Research Assistant to Dr. Donald S. Strassberg in the Department of Psychology. At the Center, she encountered a homeless and traumatized trans*person yet was unable to give practical assistance. This compelled her to seek expert training. The GW program brings her activist ideas and professionalism to life by teaching her skills to help people in crisis. Valerie plans to obtain a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a focus on social justice and LGBT advocacy.