Our Mission
Building community through the arts and Educational Empowerment. Based in the Creative Capital, Haus of Codec is committed to ensuring an end to transition-aged youth homelessness in Providence through the arts and workforce development.
Our Vision
To create a safer and more accessible means to housing, care, and essential services for displaced transition aged youth.
Our Values
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as part of our mission Building community through the arts and Educational Empowerment. We believe in bringing people from different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, identities and perspectives together. We work to build genuine, reciprocal relationships with our audiences, peer organizations and community collaborators, and to honor the connections we make. We nurture a spirit of volunteerism: we welcome and thank people who use their skills, knowledge, expertise and time to build community with us.
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Haus of Codec was founded as a design firm in 2017. From the beginning the conversation of arts has always had an emphasis on freedom of expression and that it is crucial for the development of strong communities and individual spirits. We strive to facilitate opportunities for people to discover, explore, and nurture their own creativity and share their unique artistic voice.
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we believe that this nation is embedded in racism. Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPoC) continue to be adversely impacted by the social systems present in our communities. Huas of Codec is committed to examining how each dimension of racism shows up within our organization, and to work alongside those most impacted by racism to transform Haus of Codec into an anti-racist space where BIPoC folks are not only centered in our work, but are shaping where we’re going in the future.
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We are all responsible for this space. Be aware of how people are interacting. Name power dynamics in service of building trust and respect. Notice your own privilege, defensiveness, discomfort and resistance.
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we believe access to artistic opportunities can transform communities and change lives.
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Haus of Codec generates ideas, opportunities, creative expression, and community. We are dedicated to generously sharing our knowledge and expertise with others, supporting them to foster their own ideas, opportunities, nonprofits, creative communities, and more.
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what's said Haus of Codec stays at Haus of Codec; what's learned at Haus of Codec leaves Haus of Codec. we strive to be open with each other and our communities about how we do our work, and where we need to improve. We challenge ourselves not to be defensive, and to work towards a culture of openness, honesty, responsiveness, and mutual accountability. We know there is no such thing as perfection: we encourage ourselves and others to learn from our mistakes.
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Go hard on issues, soft on people. Find ways to respectfully challenge others and make space to challenge your own views; make space for challenge and reframe.
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Intersectionality looks at the interaction of multiple social identities and how those identities separately and together are subjected to oppression and discrimination. We challenge ourselves and our community to be consistently intersectional in all of the work we do. We unapologetically center the voices and experiences of LGBTQ youth and youth of color, while upholding that all of us have many identities.
What We Do
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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.
Leadership Staff
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Julio E. Berroa
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Julio E. Berroa (BER ROH-uh) (He, They, Xe) was born in Salcedo (s-aa-l-s-EH-d-oh), Dominican Republic, and a Providence resident since 2012. Berroa earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Digital Media Curriculum and a minor in Photography. His passions include the Arts, Sex and HIV Education, and Youth Advocacy. All of this drives him to share his experiences through Art to help advocate for young aspiring artists of color. He hopes to inspire and influence his viewers.
Known for his multi-faceted approach to art and design which weaves both the analog and digital, artist Julio E. Berroa often creates hyperreal and immersive scenes of intense experiences using vivid colors and organic shapes and textures depicting very intimate moments. Berroa was an Andrew W. Mellon intern in Creative Production at the RISD Museum in the summer of 2020 and a 2021 Rhode Island College Senior Art Award Recipient.
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Celestino Pottinger
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH PROGRAMS
Celestino Pottinger (they/he) is a graduate of Cornell University and a Providence resident since 2020. Since graduating, Celestino has worked in housing and youth empowerment with the city of Boston and Youth Pride, before transitioning to the role of Director of Youth Programs with Haus of Codec. His passion for Fair Housing and Tenant Rights guide his advocacy and professional development. In their spare time, they watch movies and perform as a DJ and Drag star.
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GEM
OPERATIONS, DEVELOPMENT & HMIS
GEM (They, Them) graduate of Johnson & Wales University and a graduate of the Leadership Rhode Island 2020 Pi II class, Gem has worked in the field of youth development for the past 15+ years as well as working in the field of Non-Profit Development with such agencies as AIDS Care Ocean State, Youth Pride Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island and House of Hope CDC.
Their life’s passions include adding to their extensive library of local art, and advocacy surrounding public health, specifically HIV & STI prevention. Gem is originally from Rhode Island and has been a loud voice in political spaces sharing their own story of housing insecurities, mental health, and living with HIV. Gem continues its work in public health through Rhode Island’s HIV and STI Prevention Coalition.
Programs Staff
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Paola Mejia
CASE MANAGER
Paola Mejia (She/Her) was born in Santiago De Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, and has been a Providence resident since 2019. Paola started to get involved in the queer community in Providence from the moment she stepped foot in the small city. Becoming an active participant at Youth Pride Inc and then becoming a Center coordinator there, she realized that her passion was to work with queer youth just like herself. She joined the team at Haus of Codec in 2023 as a Case manager.
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Alex Ruiz
FACILITIES DIRECTOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Alexander Fabian Ruiz (He, Him) is a Providence native first-generation immigrant from Guatemala. A graduate of Hope High School and have twelve years of experience in the entertainment industry. First starting in the music industry he changed over to the theater industry six years ago to be closer to his family. With a variety of skills, he has devoted his life to helping his community and the arts in Rhode Island.
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Charlotte Peters
PROGRAM ASSOCIATE & YOUTH ADVOCATE
Charlotte Peters (She, Her, Hers) is a graduate of Rhode Island College’s Sociology and Philosophy program as well as Roger Williams University College, Legal Studies program with the American Bar Association. She currently works as a paralegal, focusing on the elder community of Cape Cod and the Islands in addition to her pursuits with the Haus of Codec. In her spare time, she can be found relaxing with her fiancé and family in Attleboro. Charlotte Peters will also be entering Umass Dartmouth School of Law’s fall 2021 class, where she will pursue a dual Masters's in Public Policy and Juris Doctorate Degree.
Administrative Staff
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Cecilia Acosta
COMPTROLLER
Cecilia (she/her) is a Providence native, born and raised. She has over 10 years of experience in accounting and bookkeeping, specifically in the non-profit sector. She was a member of Youth In Action as a high school student and was able to get her start in finance through this organization. Her passion for non-profit work comes from being the product of a youth development organization. Her interests include kickboxing and cooking recipes she finds on social media.
Board of Directors
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Haley Peters
BOARD CHAIR/PRESIDENT
Haley Johnson (They, Them) is a Mashpee Wampanoag ceramic artist and educator originally from Falmouth, MA. They are currently the Work Share Fellow at The Steel Yard in Providence, RI, and are serving as the Education intern through the Indigenous Empowerment Network at the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, RI. After graduating in May 2021 from Rhode Island College with a BFA in Ceramics and a Minor in Art History, they are excited to be enveloped in community outreach including residing on the Board of Directors for Haus of Codec.
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Brittanny Taylor
VICE CHAIR
Brittanny Taylor is a Black and Indigenous queer, cis, plus-size woman born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. She is a lifestyle and branding photographer, content creator, empowerment coach, tarot reader, yoga instructor, and podcaster. Her purpose is to help people find their mind+body+soul connection so they can live their sacred life and purpose.
She believes that Black Lives Matter, mental health is health, accessibility for all, and to protect queer and trans lives.
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Mary-Lyn Csonka
TREASURER
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.
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Daniel Redman
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE
Daniel also known as Daniel "the maniel." They're pursuing a degree in general education to become a substitute teacher. Passions include animation history, gothic fashion, as well as crocheting.
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Mike Ahern
BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE
Mike Ahern is a New England native and Providence-based filmmaker and screenwriter of the local indie-slasher Death Drop Gorgeous. By day, he's the Grants Manager at AS220 and by night he's a grandpa. He's worked in human service nonprofits prior to AS220 and is grateful to be a part of the coalition HOC is forging.
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Steven Velazquez
BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE
Steven (He/They) is an organizer, placemaker, and digital storyteller whose creative practice is creating more spaces for our communities where their stories can feel seen, heard, and understood. Stories both past and present; spaces both digital and non-digital.
They hold a BA in Anthropology from Brown University, as well as a work history with the Steel Yard, 95.5 WBRU-FM, the Smithsonian, the West Bay Chorale, and New Urban Arts — a youth maker space that helped Steven realize the magick of working with our young people to workshop more spaces around us where our narratives can serve as sites for acceptance, learning, and play.
When not mission-articulating, social-surveying, or HTML-troubleshooting, Steven is proud to serve his community, not as an organizer, but as a practicing psychic medium — translating stories and lived narratives of the past to help us in realizing a more empathetic future.
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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
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Kimberly O’Rourke
BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE
A Rhode Island native, Kimberly brings a wealth of experience in digital marketing and strategic operations to Haus of Codec. Currently, she leads social strategy and operations for YouTubeTV, driving engagement and fostering a vibrant online community.
Her expertise spans across diverse clients, including industry giants like YouTube, YouTubeTV, Poosh by Kourtney Kardashian, and Yeezy by Kanye West. In these roles, she spearheaded digital marketing and social strategy,integrating operational execution and process design to ensure success.
Beyond the professional realm, Kimberly finds joy in simple pleasures: exploring her Providence neighborhood on foot, embarking on exciting travels abroad, her beloved cat Nima, and delving into delicious recipes with her cookbook club.
Thrilled to join Haus of Codec, Kimberly is eager to contribute her skills and passion while serving the community.
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Kimberly Urban
BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE
Kimberly Urban (she/her) is a queer writer and educator who resides in Providence, Rhode Island. As a trans woman who has experienced homelessness, she feels obligated to give back to the community that has embraced her, and, as such, she’s passionate about contributing to Haus of Codec’s mission to end transition-aged youth homelessness.
Kimberly worked for 5+ years in an intensive residential therapeutic setting, where she took on the role of staff and special education teacher to adolescents ages 13-18 in Taunton, MA. She has spent the last six years working toward earning a Ph.D. in postwar American Literature from Southern Methodist University, and she is currently writing a dissertation about how marginalized groups have been historically represented in popular culture.
She is excited about becoming a member of the Board of Directors and looks forward to contributing her skills to help Haus of Codec achieve its mission.
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Zakary Pereira
BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE