Meet SSP4ALL’s Volunteer Staff
Our dedicated team of volunteer staff help keep SSP4ALL moving!
Elysia Wells
(Ee-lee-see-ah)(She/her) is a queer advocate who has lived in SSP since 2020 with her spouse and child. She has art, design, and anthropology degrees that enrich her creative pursuits. Elysia enjoys hiking and crafting and loves cats, embodying empathy and community spirit. She is an avid board gamer and Girl Scout Gold Award recipient.
Jennifer Pletcher
(she/her) is new to Minnesota and SSP. She believes in equality for all and is active at conveying herself as a safe space for everyone. She strives for positive community interaction and political inclusion and believes diversity is necessary to progress.
Rayn Christensen
(She/They) is a resident of South St. Paul, born and raised. She's a local forager and baker who wants to help individuals find their place in both online and physical spaces. They believe it's integral to cultivate the sense of a village in the SSP community through compassion, understanding, and education.
Our Co-Founders
Gusta Carr (Gus)
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. ”
Gusta is the Executive Director of SSP4ALL and a rising leader in advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and disability rights. As a genderqueer activist, they champion equity and inclusion, working to amplify marginalized voices. Through SSP4ALL, Gusta fosters a culture of accessibility, empowerment, and social justice, ensuring that all individuals have the resources and support they need to thrive.
Bethany Lippolt
“Love is love”
Bethany Lippolt is a woman on a mission. As a lesbian trans woman, Bethany has dedicated her time to building and organizing for progressive causes. SSP4ALL all started with a social media post. Bethany asked if anyone wanted to throw a community party, and after meeting Cindy and Gus, the trio decided to fully commit to creating a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community in South St Paul. She spends her time studying electronics and fine-tuning the technical side of the organization as well as doing graphic work, social media, and intercommunication.
Cindy Schmidt
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
Cindy Schmidt is proud to be one of the founding members and directors of SSP4ALL, supporting LGBTQ+ people and all other marginalized groups in the community. Her role as an ally is to listen and learn, and to share these lessons - especially to those of her generation. Always ready with a hug.