Josh Blakesley, M.Div.
(he/him)
Co-Founder and Executive Director, The Welcome Project PA
Josh grew up in the Midwest before completing a B.A. in Theatre at Northwestern College [IA] and a Masters of Divinity [M.Div.] at Princeton Theological Seminary [NJ]. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ [UCC], Josh has lived and worked in Iowa, Philadelphia, Hawai’i, Mexico, and Michigan. Currently, he is Pastor of Love In Action UCC, an open and affirming congregation featured in a Vox Media episode of Divided States of Women with Liz Plank and in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Josh has 20+ years of nonprofit experience, including leading workshops and training in corporate, medical, and academic settings, focused on diversity & inclusion, grant writing, fund raising, and program management. Josh is a fellow of Interfaith Philadelphia, designing and coordinating HS and University student groups for interfaith immersion service-learning weeks, called “Alternative Break Interfaith Encounters.” Josh also co-facilitates “How to be an Interfaith Ally” trainings for Philly Peace Day and recently, in Toronto at the Parliament of the World’s Religions. He is founding member of The Society for Faith & Justice, and a Collaborator for Nurturing Justice. He also performs regularly with the dinner theatre company, Without a Cue Productions, and has developed theatre arts curriculum for use in religious and secular settings. Josh also enjoys playing basketball, strumming on the guitar, traveling, learning languages, or making strange and funny faces. He lives in Center City Philly with his life and laugh partner María Elena.
Niki (Nicolette) Kulp, LCSW
(she/her or they/them)
Co-Founder and Program Director, SAGA Community Center
Niki is a Clinical Social Worker from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In addition to their work with SAGA, they are currently working as a Psychotherapist with J. Snyder Therapeutic Services in Blue Bell, PA. They have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Arcadia University and a Master of Social Service from Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. They interned with Mazzoni Center in 2016 and co-founded SAGA Community Center in 2017. They initiated the planning for the first ever Bucks-Mont PRIDE Festival in 2021. Niki feels privileged to be a part of the important work being done by SAGA and The Welcome Project PA with a team of such passionate and talented humans. They will continue to focus their passions for service, social justice, and mental health and wellness toward the goal of increasing support for the LGBT+ individuals of Bucks and Montgomery Counties.
Aimee Goldsmith
(they/them)
Co-Founder and Assistant Director, SAGA Community Center
Aimee is a professional artist with a BFA in sculpture from the University of the Arts. They spent three years as a 3D Printer technician for a local company, two years as a machine shop technician for the University of Pennsylvania, and five years working as a tooling / sculpting / mold making & casting technician for Lenox Corporation. Here, they took advanced courses in SolidWorks and designed and printed 3D parts for figurine and ornament models. They now work for an architectural Fiberglass company as a finisher and mold maker. In their spare time, they helped to co-found SAGA Community Center in 2017 and have been integral in program development, planning, implementation, web design, and marketing. They also assisted with building SAGA’s Queer Library and serves on SAGA’s Advisory Board . Their other interests include vacationing in the Poconos, walking along the Wissahickon, crafting handmade wooden jewelry and other commissioned artwork. They enjoy live music, outdoor festivals, DIY projects, and spending time with loved ones.
Jai Thompson
SAGA Support Group Facilitator
(they/them)
Hi Fam! I’m Jai Thompson; social worker, artist, activist and leader. Most importantly, I am a person! My educational achievements include a Masters Degree from Arcadia University (’18) with an undergrad from Lock Haven University (’14). A West Philadelphia native, I aspire to liaison the access of support and voice across PA and beyond! Come and converse with me! Let’s grow together! We’re in this together. I can’t wait to work with you!
LaTanya E. Jones, MSM, NIC, MSW, MEd
SAGA Clinical Social Work Intern
(she/her/hers)
LaTanya is a pre-licensed professional who offers LGBTQIA+ knowledgeable, trauma-focused psychotherapy and Brainspotting services to individuals over 18. She is a problem gambling counselor and a nationally certified sign language interpreter. LaTanya is accepting new clients at a reduced rate of $60 (with a sliding scale based on financial need)
Email LaTanya@welcomeprojectpa.org to schedule a consultation!
Joseph Torre
Therapist and SAGA Youth Program Facilitator
(he/him/his)
Joe is an LGBT+ knowledgeable, pre-licensed professional specializing in youth and gender identity development. He is a member of the SAGA Community Center Therapy Collective and facilitates SAGA’s youth programs for ages 9-13 and 14-18.
