About Us
Rae’s Safe Haven is a community-centered organization committed to creating affirming spaces and support services for LGBTQ+ individuals and marginalized communities. Through outreach, education, advocacy, and direct support, we work to build safety, wellness, and belonging for those who too often go unseen or unsupported.
Mission Statement and Vision
Our Mission
Rae’s Safe Haven creates affirming spaces and support services for LGBTQ+ individuals and marginalized communities to promote safety, wellness, and belonging.
Our Vision
We envision a community where every person has access to support, dignity, and opportunity — a place where people can show up as their full selves, build meaningful connections, and access the resources they need to thrive.
Our Story
Rae’s Safe Haven was founded from a deep belief that community care can change lives.
Named in honor of our Founder’s Aunt Rae, our organization carries forward a legacy of compassion, resilience, and showing up for people when they need it most. Her spirit reminds us that safety is not just about shelter — it is about being seen, valued, and supported.
Rae’s Safe Haven was created to fill gaps that many people in our communities continue to face: lack of affirming support, limited access to resources, social isolation, and systems that too often fail the people who need them most. We believe everyone deserves spaces where they feel welcome, respected, and connected.
What started as a vision for something better has continued to grow into a mission rooted in care, action, and community. Through every event, outreach effort, workshop, and supportive connection, we are working to build a safer and more affirming future together.
What We Do
At Rae’s Safe Haven, we are committed to meeting people where they are and responding to real community needs. Our work continues to grow, but our focus remains centered on connection, dignity, and support.
Our work includes:
Affirming community spaces and social support
Mental health and wellness programming
Partnerships for therapy and supportive services
Youth and community groups
Gender-affirming item distribution
Substance use recovery support and community connections
Homeless outreach, hygiene kits, and donation drives
Educational workshops, SAGE training, and life skills programming
Community events, fundraisers, and advocacy efforts
Our Team
Our Team
Damien DiVincenzo (He/They)
Damien “DJ” DiVincenzo, LSW is the Founder and Executive Director of Rae’s Safe Haven, where he leads with vision, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to building inclusive, affirming community spaces. As a Licensed Social Worker, ordained minister, and community advocate, DJ has dedicated his career to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized populations.
He founded Rae’s Safe Haven in 2025 to address systemic barriers in housing, healthcare, mental health, and substance use support. Named in honor of a loved one whose compassion continues to inspire the organization’s mission, Rae’s Safe Haven reflects DJ’s belief that everyone deserves safety, dignity, and connection.
In addition to his leadership work, DJ’s ordination allows him to provide safe, identity-affirming ceremonies — including weddings, memorials, and community celebrations — ensuring that people are honored fully and authentically.
Outside of his professional work, DJ loves spending time with his wife, his family — both blood and chosen — and writing. His creativity, advocacy, and deep belief in community continue to shape the heart of Rae’s Safe Haven and the spaces it creates.
Savannah DiVincenzo
Savannah (she/her) helps lead with both structure and heart. She supports operations, program development, and community initiatives with a people-first mindset and a deep commitment to inclusivity.
Openly bisexual, Savannah is passionate about creating spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals feel seen, valued, and safe. She believes advocacy starts with authenticity and shows up through action; whether that means building supportive systems behind the scenes or standing beside community members in moments that matter most.
In addition to her work in nonprofit leadership, Savannah is a dedicated Pre-K teacher who centers empathy, accessibility, and connection in everything she does. She understands that growth isn’t linear and that everyone deserves patience, respect, and the opportunity to thrive.
Outside of her professional roles, she enjoys reading dark romance and psychological thrillers(H.D Carlton for the win), spending time with her dog, or diving into one of her ever-rotating creative hobbies.
Lu Stout
Lu Stout (they/them) brings creativity, authenticity, and bold artistic vision to Rae’s Safe Haven. With a background in interactive multimedia and graphic arts, Lu uses their skills in graphic design, photography, and digital media to help promote and build meaningful, engaging events for the community.
Holding design certifications in Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and After Effects, Lu blends technical expertise with imaginative expression. In addition to their professional work, they are also an alternative drag artist who loves experimenting with out-of-the-box looks and performances that challenge expectations and celebrate individuality.
Outside of their creative work, Lu enjoys working on new art projects on their iPad, getting lost in a good book, and exploring coffee shops, spiritual shops, and hidden gems. A practicing Pagan Wiccan for nearly seven years, Lu is passionate about educating others about Wicca and helping people understand that there is no single “right” way to practice.
Their artistic spirit, openness, and commitment to self-expression bring a vibrant and meaningful energy to the Rae’s Safe Haven community.
Cindy Huston
Cindy Huston (she/her) serves as Rae’s Safe Haven’s Director of Mental Health & Wellness, bringing both professional expertise and genuine compassion to our mission. In addition to her leadership role with Rae’s Safe Haven, Cindy works full-time as a case manager, dedicating her career to supporting individuals and families in need.
Cindy is fun, funny, and incredibly approachable — but beneath her humor is a deep commitment to the work she does. She believes in meeting people where they are, advocating fiercely, and creating spaces where mental health conversations feel safe, supportive, and stigma-free. Her care for others is not just professional — it’s personal.
Outside of her work, Cindy loves spending time with her friends, her partner, and her animals. Her warmth, authenticity, and unwavering heart for service make her an invaluable part of Rae’s Safe Haven’s leadership team.
Justin Kalinay
Justin “Wolfie” Kalinay (he/they) serves as Rae’s Safe Haven’s Vice-Chair and Director of Education & Life Skills, bringing energy, heart, and an educator’s spirit to our leadership team. Known affectionately as “Your Friendly Neighborhood Pup,” Wolfie blends curiosity, creativity, and compassion into everything he does.
With a diverse background as an educator, entertainer, and caregiver, Wolfie thrives on helping others identify and step into their highest potential. An endlessly curious polymath, he delights in sharing knowledge and creating engaging learning experiences that empower individuals within the queer and neurodivergent communities. As a singer, dancer, and mixologist, he also brings joy and connection to community spaces while balancing both vibrant energy and emotional depth.
Wolfie identifies as a neurospicy empath and finds deep purpose in supporting and uplifting those in need. His long-term aspirations include pursuing advanced studies in psychology and continuing to explore innovative, holistic approaches to healing and education.
Open-hearted and deeply dedicated to serving his community — or “Pack” — Wolfie is committed to ensuring Rae’s Safe Haven remains a place of growth, learning, and belonging.
Janine DiPaola
Janine DiPaola (she/her) serves as Rae’s Safe Haven’s Events & Fundraising Director — and truly embodies the spirit of a “jack of all trades.” From coordinating community events to supporting fundraising efforts, Janine brings creativity, organization, and heart to everything she touches.
Beyond her dedication to our mission, Janine is known for being fun, deeply caring, and always there when someone needs support. She has a natural way of making people feel welcomed and valued — a quality that shines through in every event she helps bring to life.
When she’s not working behind the scenes to strengthen Rae’s Safe Haven, Janine loves spending time with her friends, her partner, and her animals. Her warmth, loyalty, and genuine love for community make her an essential part of our team..
Marcelina Burkhart
Marcelina “Marcy” Burkhart (She/Her) serves as the Youth & Senior Services Director at Rae’s Safe Haven. A Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, she brings her passion for connection and her love for helping others into every program she designs. Marcy’s work is inspired by her own journey — she spent years learning to embrace her authentic self and now strives to create spaces where others can do the same. Within the LGBTQ+ community, she finds joy in building intergenerational programs that help youth and seniors feel seen, supported, and celebrated for exactly who they are. Outside of Rae’s, Marcy enjoys video games, journaling, spending time with her pets, and celebrating her favorite spooky season — Halloween.
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