Tori Pelletier looks forward to working with PE parents and families on program development and equitable community facilitation. Her passion is working to advance racial equity in the school system and community. Outside of the workplace, Tori enjoys reading, boxing and enjoying Portland’s local food scene.
Pious joined the Portland Empowered program in 2010 (11) since its inception at the City of Portland Refugee Service. When it relocated to the University of Southern Maine Cutler Institute in 2014, Pious followed. He is focused on creating opportunities for unengaged members of our community to be heard through their own voices and empowering young people to speak up for themselves. He is inspired by his work at PE because it gives a voice to all members of our community and provides a platform for students, families, and their school districts to engage each other and make education the best it can be for all students. He is committed to this work because it levels the playing field for students who have been left behind, and creates equity in a system that prepares young citizens from all backgrounds for participation in American democratic and public life. Among other things, Pious likes to meet new people and talk about public and civic engagement over a cup of tea.
Lis has been advocating for minority communities for as long as she can remember. Being born in Jamaica and growing up in America is significant to her work. She looks forward to working with youth and supporting them to use their expertise and power to shape a path for equity.
Yasmeen has been a part of Portland Empowered since 2016. She started as a club member, and soon after became a Youth Lead Organizer. Now as a Sophomore at University of Southern Maine, Yasmeen is pursuing a degree in Biology, while also working with Portland Empowered as an Intern. She loves painting, baking (although she’s not that good at it), listening to comedy podcasts, and taking nature walks. This summer she built a chicken coop and is ready to care for two hens! She aspires to work in the healthcare field, and make a future in the Greater Portland area. Through YEP’s she has grown as a leader and is excited to see the ideas and change the youth of today will make. She hopes to see the students of Portland find their voice and grow as individuals.
Billale has been involved with Portland Empowered since 2016. He started his journey in high school when he became a Youth Lead Organizer and attended the Youth Leadership Institute conference. For the past three years, he has been serving as an intern with Portland Empowered. Billale loves the progress within the organization over the past years and seeing individuals grow. He loves working first hand with students and helping to provide them with leadership skills in hopes of them becoming the future leaders of tomorrow. He is inspired by youth activism and is passionate about creating effective change for young people in their schools. Billale’s aspiration in life is to become either an educator or a social worker after he graduates USM, where he is currently majoring in Sociology and double minoring in Philosophy as well as Race and Ethnic Studies. When not with family or friends you can catch Billale either taking his daily spiritual walks around Portland or drinking his favorite Iced Vanilla Chai.
Jackie joined the Portland Empowered (PE) team in 2019. She works to provide robust and consistent support of youth, families, and other PE staff. She feels passionate about reimagining how we communicate in order to build our capacity for love and listening, and so we can be courageous and open as we work through the process of change. She is deeply grateful to work with such a brilliant group of parents, young people, and colleagues. She spends her time talking to her dog, learning the magic of the natural world, reading, ocean-ing, and finding the right words.
Muntaha absolutely loves being a part of Portland Empowered, and one of her favorite elements of this work is the energy she experiences from Youth Engagement Partners and Youth Lead Organizers. She is uplifted by their drive to better their schools and communities. And she is grateful to have their laughter fill up the room. When she’s not helping with Portland Empowered, she’s assisting with Gateway to Opportunity and the Postsecondary Support Project. In her free time, she loves writing poetry and prose, listening to all kinds of music, reading, and spending lots of time with her family and friends.
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