Dana Lee Mengwasser,
Executive Director
Pronouns: they/ them/ theirs
Dana Lee Mengwasser began working with The Brick House in the Spring of 2014. They are committed to advancing opportunities for youth and parent leadership and empowerment. As the Executive Director, they oversee youth, family, and community programming and provide supervision and loving-guidance for our staff. Dana is dedicated to fostering community collaboration through participation in local coalitions, partners, and neighbors.
Dana graduated from Hampshire College with a BA in Liberal Arts, where they studied conflict and power in non-profit organizations, as well as arts, psychology, critical pedagogy, and social justice. They have a long history of work within youth programming and non-profit organizations. In their life away from The Brick House, Dana facilitates a preschool story-hour at a local library and coaches synchronized swimming. They enjoy houseplants, glitter, and being by the ocean.
Abby Graseck
Family Services Liaison
Pronouns: she/ her/ hers
Abby grew up in Connecticut, but moved to western Massachusetts from Tucson, Arizona in 2011. Before moving to this area, she was involved in immigrant rights work in the US/Mexico border region. She also taught literacy and advocacy skills for adults in Adult Basic Education programs and Family Literacy classes at several of Tucson’s community education centers and schools.When Abby is not at The Brick House, she spends her time gardening, cooking, playing in the woods, and raising kids. As a parent herself, she finds it particularly rewarding to be able to work with other parents and their children. She values collaborating with the many organizations that serve families in Franklin County, and is glad to be a part of the larger effort of The Brick House to make this community a stronger and more vibrant one.
Sandra Ramos
Parent and Family Services Coordinator
Pronouns: she/ her/hers
Sandra was born Puerto Rico and was raised, married, had children in Western Massachusetts. She has worked in the Human Service Field for 30+ years. With such programs as:The Care Center, Valley Opportunity Council, Community Action and most recently for The Foodbank of wma. Sandra enjoys working with the community and helping families obtain resources that may be available to them in times of need. She enjoys cooking, shopping and dancing Salsa. She loves spending time with family especially her children and her 3 grandchildren.
She is excited to be a productive team member of the Brick House and help raise awareness of local resources.
Alana Traub
Youth Programs Manager
Pronouns: she/ her/ hers or they/them
Alana and her dog Lazarus started working in human services in 2015 and is enthusiastic to spread awareness and support the enrichment of mental health. She has joined the Brick House community at the end of 2018 as the manager of the Youth Programs.
Kaleb Rodriguez
Youth Program Support Staff
Pronouns: he/ him/ his
Kaleb thrives in the position of Youth Programs Support Staff through his ability to relate well to youth. His hobbies include listening to and creating music, playing both board and video games, binging Netflix, and spending time with his family (especially his nephew, Kai). He began working with young people at the age of 16 when he helped to staff a social justice organization in his hometown of Hartford, CT. He then moved to MA in 2013 to serve the Brick House as an AmeriCorps member for two years, after which he worked for Dial/Self for several years before returning to Brick House. Kaleb is passionate about using the arts and pop culture to create safe and welcoming spaces for youth to learn, grow, and develop confidence.
Artemis Parvati
AmeriCorps Member, Youth Program Coordinator
Pronouns: she/ her/ hers
Raised in the southern suburbs of Chicago, Artemis came to love Western Massachusetts after graduating from Smith College 10 years ago. During those 10 years since graduation she has completed her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine (2015) and has been working in collaboration with non profit programs since her graduation. She strives to enhance knowledge and understanding of wellness and disease prevention in the young adult community. She believes that education and approachable discussions around health could change our whole culture around what we expect out of health care. She is also ready to hold space for mind/body wellness by addressing interpersonal dynamics between youth and acknowledges its importance in social growth. This season (2018-2019) she is serving an AmeriCorps term at the Brick House, in hopes to bring holistic wellness to the youth with the support of pre existing grants and funding.
Rachel Telushkin
Business Manager
Pronouns: she/ her/ hers
Rachel has worked in fiscal and operations management for the non-profit, private, and academic sectors in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties, with a focus on community economic development, including revolving loan funds, community land trusts, and grant management. She started working at The Brick House in July, 2017 as the Business Manager.
Mishel Ixchel
Communications Specialist
Pronouns: she/ her/ hers
Mishel’s background is in Museum Education, and has worked in the Education Department at numerous institutions. She is excited to bring her background in visitor experience to the Brick House, and is looking forward to helping with interior renovations and social media communication.
