Haus of Codec Welcomes New Board Members
Nonprofit’s board of directors expands to meet growing
homelessness among Rhode Island’s young adult population
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – Mar. 6, 2025 – Haus of Codec announced the appointment of new members to its Board of Directors. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives that will further enhance the organization’s mission to end homelessness among LGBTQIA+ youth through innovative housing solutions, workforce development, and the arts.
The addition of these board members is an important step in the continued growth of Haus of Codec’s community support programs, as the nonprofit works tirelessly to meet the overwhelming needs for emergency and transitional housing, enduring a persistent and long wait list for its services. Rhode Island has the second highest level of chronic homelessness in the United States. Last year the state of Rhode Island experienced a 35.5 percent overall increase in homelessness. That number is expected to rise in 2025.
The following board members began their two-year appointments:
Christopher Lopes, co-chair; Cody Sellers, co-chair; Danielle Blasczak, scribe; Rodrigo DaSilva, treasurer, and finance and audit committee chair; Emelia Orellana, development chair; Jenn Steinfeld, governance chair; Shaneka Ashman; Ruth DiGiovanni; Van Powell; and Amanda Valentino.
“The need for services like Haus of Codec’s emergency and transitional housing has never been greater,” said Julio E. Berroa, executive director for Haus of Codec. “Our board members have shown what I think is exemplary leadership in their professional communities and are fiercely dedicated to supporting the young people of our LGBTQIA+ community across Rhode Island.
Our board will continue to help Haus of Codec lay the new groundwork as we focus on finding more permanent housing solutions for youth aged 18-24 across our state until every young person has a place to call home. We will continue to bring the greater Rhode Island community together.”
Currently, Haus of Codec operates an emergency shelter, and a transitional housing facility, and through its Rapid Rehousing Program, it has allocated over $400,000 in rental support to keep program participants housed where they reside.
For a full list of Haus of Codec’s board members, visit https://www.hausofcodec.org/about.
About Haus of Codec
Haus of Codec is a nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness among LGBTQIA+ youth (18-24) through the arts and workforce development. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, Haus of Codec provides safe, age-appropriate emergency and transitional housing and essential services for youth in need, while offering the greater Rhode Island community opportunities to enhance the Creative Capital in the state. Committed to inclusivity, freedom of expression, and racial justice, Haus of Codec regularly hosts events with contributions from Queer and BIPOC artists and local community organizations to promote artistic expression and community engagement. To learn more about Haus of Codec visit www.hausofcodec.org.