Interim Youth Facilitators
The Youth Program is in a phase of transition, with a team of facilitators leading the upcoming conferences. These facilitators all share a love of Powell House and are deeply connected to the Youth Program.
Becks Anacheka-Nasemann, 23 (they/them). Becks grew up at Powell House as a 3rd generation attendee and as one of Chris and Mike’s kids. After graduating from the youth program in 2020, they have been working as an AP for all age groups and have loved seeing the ways that young people playfully build and uphold the community they hold so dear. Becks is a Mount Holyoke senior currently working towards a career in science education, and has worked as a babysitter, nanny, and tutor for children since age 13. When not at PoHo, Becks lives in Amherst, MA and enjoys hiking, watercolor art, cooking, and playing with their menagerie of pets (1 dog, 2 cats, and 2 pet rats).
Omen Cullinane Weaver, 27, (any pronouns): Howdy Friends! I have been attending Powell House since the 4th grade and have been APing since I graduated in 2016. I live in Rochester with my partner Malice. I'm best known with the PoHo Crew for stickers, art, and being the crazy old man who sends children in search of wild people in the woods. I can't wait to see y'all soon!
Samy DeBellis Age 28 (they/she): Meet Samy! She graduated from the PoHo youth program in 2014 and has experience APing and Co-Facilitating since 2015. She has been a member of Purchase Meeting since 2018 and serves on their Board of Trustees. Outside of her Quaker life, Samy works as a Speech-Language Pathologist on Long Island. When she is not working or volunteering at Powell House, you can find Samy cross-country running, reading, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Malice Garcia, 23, (He/They): Hello Friends! I am relatively new to PoHo and Quakerism, having discovered and unofficially joining both back in 2022 but I’ve fallen in love with the program. I have butlered for middle school conferences and attended many young adult weekends and I cannot explain the amount of joy, comfort, and belonging that the program and those involved have brought to my life. I live in Rochester NY with my partner, Omen and we’ve been doing what we can and offering our very best to every conference we possibly can! I have spent many years caring for and teaching children on and off and I love every second that I’ve been able to share my gifts with this community and help these already amazing kids continue to grow and flourish!
Beth Kelly, 46 (she/her): Hello, old and new friends! I serve New York Yearly Meeting as Children, Youth and Young Adult Community Director – and am the point person for Powell House’s youth programming teams this spring. I have worked with kids (tutoring, baby-sitting, camp-counselor-ing) since I was a teenager and worked as a pediatric hospital chaplain from 2013-2021. My favorite things to do at Powell House include listening to the wisdom of the group, singing songs, playing Primate Bellows, and walking to Dorson’s Rock. My favorite things to do when not at Powell House include singing, crossword puzzles, and physical play with my 4-year-old niece.
Rosalie Presser, 21 (she/her). Rosalie has been attending Powell House since 7th grade, first with Chris and Mike, then Sarah and Marty. Since graduating from the youth program in 2022 she has been attending Young Adult conferences, APing, and working in the kitchen with Kim. She enjoys her work on a small farm in Cambridge, NY. In her free time she loves to garden, dance, hike, play, and read.
Lucas Quintana, 23 (he/him). Lucas has been attending the Powell House Youth Program since 5th grade. He has become more involved in the last year working in the kitchen with Kim, attending committee meetings, volunteering and being an AP. Outside of Powell House Lucas works seasonally in the ski industry (as a slopes groomer) in Wyoming and in the Capital Region during the summer. He loves to spend his free time outdoors, skiing, backpacking, swimming, and enjoying sunlight whenever possible.
Cai Quirk, 28 (any gender neutral pronouns). Cai is a lifelong Quaker who grew up in Ithaca Meeting and attending youth conferences at Powell House, and has now been APing and co-facilitating Powell House youth conferences for 10 years. Cai also works for Friends General Conference in the Spiritual Deepening Program and on the Gathering Team, helping form Quaker events around the country. As a multi-disciplinary artist, Cai creates work around queerness, gender, spirituality, nature, mythology, and storytelling. They have published a book, given hundreds of talks and workshops around the country, exhibited work in 14 states and 4 countries. At Powell House, their “Map of Genderland” and tapestries from the “Queer Temple” series are often appreciated by attenders for expanding and celebrating ideas around queerness.
Monya Relles, 27 (they/them). Monya grew up as one of Chris and Mike’s kids and now their real job is at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, training other educators and working with young people to learn about nature, science, engineering, and leadership. When they’re not working they can be found dancing, doing circus, hiking, and making weird zines. Their favorite memories of Powell House are tied between sardines on Friday nights and silent late night walks on Saturdays.
Jillian Smith Age 36: she/her or they/them: Poho youth alumni class of 2006! I identify as a feminist universalist Quaker who dabbles in Hinduism & I’m a member of NYYM. I was a JC back in the day and a co-facilitator with Mike. I served on the board of Poho for 9 years. I obtained my American Montessori Society certification in ages 3-6 during the pandemic. I’ve worked in a variety of industries.