Tylene Carnell is joining Pride Foundation’s staff as the newest Eastern and Central Washington Regional Development Organizer!
For the past 15 years, Tylene has lived in Ellensburg, Washington and since 2003 has worked at Comprehensive Healthcare (formerly Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health). Her most recent role there was as the Clubhouse Coordinator, where she was responsible for developing and implementing Horizons Club, a psyco-social model of recovery for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
Tylene has a long history with Pride Foundation. She first connected with us in 2004 when she was awarded a grant for her V.O.I.C.E.S. of Gender program. From that point on, she has worked to support transgender people and educate others about the challenges faced by transgender and gender non-conforming people in rural areas.
Also in 2004, Tylene started volunteering for Pride Foundation’s scholarship review and grants review teams—all while attending Central Washington University where she graduated with a degree in sociology.
More recently, Tylene has supported Farand’s efforts as a local advisory member and as a board member of Pride Foundation. Tylene has also been serving on the advisory committee that helped establish the first LGBTQ youth drop-in center in Yakima.
“I have been so humbled to witness and participate in our community’s progress. I am thrilled to step into this new role and have an opportunity to support the work toward equality that we’ve all fought so hard for,” says Tylene Carnell.
Tylene is immediately focused on expanding the great work that Farand was able to support in our local communities, and is looking forward to not just continuing, but also deepening our partnerships with local area leaders and organizations that are at the forefront of change.
“The work already being done across Eastern and Central Washington is incredible. Tylene’s unwavering dedication to helping advance lived and legal equality will be critical to keeping our collaborative vision moving forward,” says Farand Gunnels. “I have been honored to be a part of this effort for the past 14 years, and I can’t wait to continue to be a part of it.”
Please join us in welcoming Tylene to her new role.
In order to give you a chance to meet Tylene, if you haven’t already, we are starting to set up a series of “Meet and Greets” across the region. Once we have all the details set, we’ll be back in touch.
In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Tylene or myself if you have any questions. Tylene can be reached at Tylene@PrideFoundation.org or at 509-607-4546.