It is always bittersweet when it is time for one of our own to step back. Breana Stanley has been President of the Chippewa Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center for five years and has contributed to our organization through thick and thin, offering us her time and passion. She shares a few final words with us here chronicling her efforts and experiences.
How did you get involved in the Center?
I got involved with the center in 2017, while being a stay at home mom to my newborn (Lennon). I decided that I needed to do some volunteering for several reasons: 1. It was after Trump got elected and I didn’t want to be complacent in his presidency; 2. I was bored; and 3. I wanted to make a difference in my community.
What was your biggest challenge as President?
My biggest challenge as president was internal and external disagreements and different communication styles. Interpersonal interactions can be both very challenging and very rewarding to navigate.
What has been your proudest moment as President?
One of the accomplishments I look back on with satisfaction is when we were awarded the Pablo Foundation grant and able to secure much needed finances to continue doing what we do best.
What advice would you give to people looking to get involved with making a difference?
Make sure you enjoy doing what you are volunteering for. This is unpaid labor and it’s so necessary to make sure that LGBTQ+ and other marginalized folks have a chance to thrive and survive in the Chippewa Valley.
What do you hope to pass along to future members of the organization?
My hope is that future members will be able to take what’s been started here and use it to finish the bylaws. Keep going and don’t give up!
What’s next for you?
I started my new job at Caring Across Generations that I will be focusing on. I will continue to stay at the center as a volunteer and in helping to keep the doors open when we are no longer closed due to COVID-19. While I have ended my time in leadership for several organizations in the area, it doesn’t mean I will be far away for long.
As you step into this next part of your journey, we want to thank you for your years of dedication and wish you all the very best. Thank you for everything and may your future endeavors be memorable, Breana!