What We Do

  • Haus of Codec is providing a safe housing space for youth ages 18 - 24 to call home and help them find their own, more permanent housing solutions and workforce development opportunities. The shelter space hosts a food and clothing pantry, a self-service kitchen, a shared bathroom, access to essential services through partner providers, and a sense of community where there wasn't one before.

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  • Haus of Codec hosts monthly community LGBTQQIA+ Resource Fair & ART Marketplace at Dexter Park in Providence, RI for Queer and BIPOC artists and local community organizations! Register Now!

    Each marketplace hosts community clothing swaps. Bring what you can, take what you need. Our Haus of Codec residents will have the first pick of any items donated and the rest will be shared with our communities. Haus of Codec will get paid, per pound for any recyclable or unused items! Ripped, torn, or stained fabrics meant to be recycled should be bagged and labeled as such.


Our Founders

Julio Berroa, Gem Marley, Alex Ruiz, Charlotte Peters, H Peters

Leadership Staff

  • Tonya King

    INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Tonya King (She/Her) is a seasoned nonprofit executive leader with nearly two decades of experience guiding complex organizations through periods of growth, transformation, and impact. She brings deep expertise in survivor-centered advocacy, coalition leadership, and systems change at the local, state, and national level, with a career focused on advancing equity and justice for those most impacted by violence, housing instability, and systemic inequity. Her work has consistently centered racial equity, trauma-informed practice, and the belief that lasting change happens when people are supported across every dimension of their lives including housing, health, safety, and belonging.

    Tonya brings a values-driven approach to every organization she serves. She is honored to support Haus of Codec’s mission of ending transition-aged youth homelessness in Providence and to walk alongside a team that leads with both courage and care.

  • Ben Potrykus

    DIRECTOR OF HOUSING PROGRAMS

    Ben Potrykus (He/Him, They/Them) was born and raised outside Boston, MA and moved to Providence, RI in 2018. They worked in case management and housing assistance at the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts for several years, developing a strong understanding of harm reduction principles and confidentiality compliance frameworks, and have organized with several groups fighting to build people power and win social change during their time in Rhode Island. After some time in the tech industry, they are returning to social services work with a renewed sense of purpose and new skills to leverage in support of Haus of Codec’s mission. They enjoy writing songs, spending time in unusual performance venues, and drinking unsettling amounts of coffee.

    LinkedIn

Staff

  • Tyler Hargis

    CASE MANAGER, TH/RRH

    Tyler Hargis (He/Him)  received his M.A. in Public Administration, with a concentration in Civic & Nonprofit Leadership and Administration in 2020.He has over 15 years of cross-sector experience in public and nonprofit settings, specializing in case management, community engagement, and client-centered support. Tyler is passionate about creating space and garnering resources for todays minority youth. In their free time, he can often be found making an espresso, singing with the RI Gay Men's Chorus, or bringing friends houseplants back to life.

  • Bill Small

    FACILITIES MANAGER

    I’m an analytical, solutions-focused professional with over 15 years of experience in healthcare operations, where I supported complex systems, worked through operational challenges, and partnered across teams to improve processes and outcomes in highly regulated environments. I’ve collaborated closely with leadership and cross-functional teams to analyze issues, identify root causes, and help drive practical, real-world improvements.

    Earlier in my career, I spent 5 years working in programs that supported group homes and supported apartment housing. That experience strengthened my communication skills, adaptability, and people-first approach, and gave me a strong foundation in supporting individuals in community-based settings.

    Separately, I also bring hands-on experience with general property maintenance, including routine repairs, coordinating upkeep, and helping maintain safe, functional living and working environments. This background strengthened my problem-solving skills and taught me how to stay calm, resourceful, and practical when unexpected issues come up.

    I’m known for being detail-oriented, comfortable navigating ambiguity, and steady under pressure, with a strong commitment to service, quality, and continuous improvement.

  • Bridgette Blight

    OFFICE MANAGER

    Bridgette (she/they) was born and raised in Rhode Island and graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Gender and Women’s Studies. She has experience in administrative work, information technology, and training. They use their skill for navigating complex systems to provide peer support to community members looking to change their names and acquire gender-affirming identification. Bridgette joins Haus of Codec to fulfil a long-held desire to use their skills to support their community. Outside of work, Bridgette’s interests include cross-stitch, cooking, singing karaoke, supporting local artists and performers, and hanging out with their cats.

Board of Directors

  • Christopher Lopes

    Co-Chair

    Chris is a part of the manufacturing team at Amgen Inc. and has been working there for the past 10 years. They had started working with Haus of Codec as a volunteer—initially planning and providing interviewing and resume-building services with the youth in the program. Where their professional life revolves around Drug Manufacturing, Chris has always had a passion for helping others to be their best selves. They always wanted to do more to help the LGBTQIA+ Community and have found the answer to that calling with the Haus of Codec. Chris has also been a volunteer at the Crisis Text Line for the past year, helping guide persons in crisis through a really difficult time with empathy and active listening. Chris has been a true Rhode Islander for their whole life Born in Providence, raised in Coventry and still residing in Rhode Island. For fun, Chris enjoys playing in their LGBTQIA+ Inclusive dodgeball league as well as playing softball on the weekends. Chris is a season ticket member and part of La Banda for Rhode Island’s own Rhode Island Football Club. They also enjoy spending time with their partner, two kids and two mediocrely behaved dogs.

  • Cody Sellers

    Co-Chair

    Cody Sellers (he/him) is the owner of a small food service business, a former high school hockey coach, a devoted father of two wonderful tyrants, a lover of Providence, and an ardent ally to the communities that surround him. He is beyond excited and proud to serve with such a community-forward organization. Cody's other passions include music, film, video games, supporting local art, and finding the next best old-fashioned in a Providence bar. Cody works to make the world a more equitable place by truly listening to the voices of those he serves. He can be found, usually with his family in tow, around Providence helping many groups with the mission to create equitable change for a better tomorrow.

  • Jenn Steinfeld

    Governance Chair

    Jenn Steinfeld is a passionate advocate for racial, gender, and economic equity. Jenn works at the intersection of policy and action, primarily through coalition building, strategic planning, and group facilitation. Jenn currently serves as the Managing Director of the Excessive Wealth Disorder Institute, a national nonprofit that seeks to interrupt the cycle of wealth hoarding, wealth extraction, and government influence that keep us from shared prosperity and well-being. After a 20-year career in policy advocacy around LGBTQ, HIV, and gender issues, they made a pivot into helping cities use a racial justice lens to build more inclusive economies and more robust civic engagement. Jenn was a founder of Marriage Equality Rhode Island and helped steward the organization for more than a decade through the successful passage of equal marriage legislation in 2013. They hold a Master’s Degree in Mindfulness Studies from Lesley University; a BA in Human Biology, Brain, and Behavior from Brown University; and a certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. They are a lifelong student of Kingian nonviolence and an avid knitter, yogi, and certified master gardeners.

  • Rodrigo N. DaSilva

    Treasurer, Finance & Audit Committee Chair

    Rodrigo DaSilva has joined Haus of Codec's Board of Directors as the organization's treasurer. Currently managing Washington Trust's East Providence location, Rodrigo brings over nine years of banking experience and a strong commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community. With a passion for helping the community in which he lives and serves, Rodrigo is heavily involved with and committed to various organizations. He is eager to contribute to Haus of Codec's governance by managing day-to-day finances and providing counsel to the board on investment decisions and project developments, thereby enhancing the organization's financial strategies and community impact.

  • Danielle Blasczak

    Scribe

    Danielle joined the Haus of Codec Board of Directors as scribe in 2025, bringing over 20 years of nonprofit experience to the role. Currently a digital analyst at AAA Northeast, Danielle leverages her position on the DEI Giving Committee to amplify the needs of LGBTQ+ and other marginalized community organizations. She also continues to work with non-profit organizations through freelance endeavors focusing on using data for equity.  Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of leading and collaborating with various partner organizations, from launching a family literacy program to using data to expand a free community Wi-Fi initiative in Olneyville. Danielle also served as a member of the SDP Fellowship at the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University. Outside of her professional endeavors, she finds joy in spending time with her community of friends and enjoys a lively game of drag bingo.

  • Brendon Krall

    Board Member at Large

    Brendon is a Research Project Manager at the Annenberg Institute at Brown University, where he assists the Research Partnership for Professional Learning (RPPL). Prior to joining Annenberg, Brendon worked as a research assistant for Dr. Stephen Raudenbush, at the Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab, and at the World Bank's Development Impact Evaluation (DIME) group primarily focusing on program evaluation for education-related projects. In addition to his research experience, Brendon is a 2018 Teach For America corps member, where he worked as an 8th-grade English teacher and community organizer in Houston, TX. Specifically, Brendon supported community organizing initiatives that advocated for improved school services for immigrant students and families and created an educator resource guide that school staff could use to better support this subpopulation. As a first-generation college graduate, Brendon knows the powerful role that education has in shaping an individual's personal and professional trajectory and has committed himself to creating more equitable and efficient education systems so all students have the possibility to reach their fullest potential.

    Brendon holds a B.A. in Business Administration, a B.A. in Public Health from the University of Washington, and a Master in Public Policy from the University of Chicago.

  • Mary-Lyn Csonka

    Board Member at Large

    Mary-Lyn Csonka (she/her/hers) has spent the last 12 years as the creator and owner of the Rhode Island Kids Consignment Sale. She grew up in Stratford, CT, the big sister to two younger brothers. Mary-Lyn graduated from URI with a bachelor of science degree in Human Development and Family Services. After graduation, Mary-Lyn moved to Pennsylvania, but eventually returned to Rhode Island and started her family. She is the mother to her two Trans children: Bennett, 15, and Eliza, 19.

    She’s thrilled to join the Board of Directors at Haus of Codec now. After learning about Haus of Codec and its mission, she knew she needed to be a part of this amazing and much-needed resource, serving an under-serviced and vulnerable population. Previously she has volunteered with ACOS, BBBS, and Girl Scouts and looks forward to continuing to make in impact in the community.

  • Grace Pine

    Board Member at Large

    Grace Pine (she/her) is a passionate advocate for inclusive community spaces, equity, and connection. She currently works at Washington Trust, where she serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council and is the Chair of the Pride Employee Resource Group, supporting LGBTQIA+ employees and allies through programming, advocacy, and building a strong sense of belonging in the workplace.

    Outside of her professional work, Grace is deeply involved in the Rhode Island nonprofit community. She is an active member of the Imperial Court of Rhode Island, where she has helped raise thousands of dollars for charitable causes and was honored with the organization’s 2026 President’s Award for outstanding achievement. She also previously served as Social Media Coordinator for the Boston-based Mildred’s Dream Foundation, further reflecting her commitment to mission-driven work and community impact.

    Grace holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication Studies from Johnson & Wales University and is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration in Marketing at Johnson & Wales University. She is especially passionate about uplifting LGBTQIA+ communities and creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered.

    She is excited to bring her energy, creativity, and dedication to service to her work with Haus of Codec.

  • Dee Giza

    Board Member at Large

    Dee (she/her) is a Providence-based attorney.  Bringing nearly a decade of public-interest law experience as a Board member, she brings a client-focused mindset set on bettering the lives of those who have previously gone without.  Dee is passionate about, and committed to, providing the highest quality of aid and assistance to all members of the LGBTQIA+ community.  She is honored to play a role in this excellent organization, and looks forward to the challenges and opportunities it presents.  Dee is a happy Providence-transplant, and she can be spotted biking around town during the warmer months of the year.

  • Felicia Risick

    Board Member at Large

    Felicia Risick is a behavioral healthcare executive, producer, and operations strategist with more than two decades of leadership experience across behavioral health, organizational development, and multi-site healthcare operations. Most recently serving as Division President for a national behavioral health organization, she oversaw strategic growth, physician and clinical partnerships, regulatory and accreditation oversight, government relations, and full operational and financial performance across a large multi-state network of facilities and teams.

    In parallel with her executive career, Felicia has been an active force within queer, arts, and alternative culture communities. She is the co-owner of Church of Aurora and co-founder of SweetFire Productions, where she produces immersive events, performance experiences, and community-centered programming that support independent artists, queer expression, and creative collaboration. 

    Felicia holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and a certificate in Executive Leadership from the Wharton School. She is known for strong leadership with intentionality and professional execution.

    Through both her professional and personal life, Felicia has focused on building environments that prioritize inclusion, autonomy, collaboration, and community connection. At Haus of Codec, she will  bring a combination of executive-level leadership and systems thinking coupled with engagement in Providence’s creative and queer community.