Angel Cotto
Angel joined the Hub in September 2015 as an Action Researcher. He is a very energetic young man who gives a younger view to the hub. Since he is a teen, he has experience in the way youth talk, what they like, and what ways they get information. He joined to better help people and make a difference. He graduated from High School Inc., a business and insurance academy located in Hartford. Angel is currently attending Capital community college until he transfers to Central Connecticut State University to study Community Psychology. He is currently working for Bear’s Smokehouse, a restaurant in Downtown Hartford, but he also likes to volunteer in the community and help others in his spare time. He has worked with neighborhoods and organizations, helping them advocate for educational and LGBTQ+ rights, plan events, conduct outreach, and get youth involved. In his spare time, he competes in triathlons, travels, and loves to play video games.
Natalie Garcia
Natalie joined the Youth Action Hub in September 2015 as an Action Researcher. She is a big part of the behind-the-scenes activities of projects. Scheduling meetings and events, talking to youth, and managing data collection and outreach are just some of her contributions to the team. She brings positivity and critical thinking to the team, preferring to play devil’s advocate during heated discussions at the hub. She is very passionate about helping and guiding people in vulnerable situations, because of the help that she’s received in her past when she was struggling with being LGBTQ+ and dealing with a toxic home situation. She wants to be able to help other people who have had struggles due to rejection by families and communities. Natalie graduated from UConn with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and wants to continue working in the field surrounding human services. Her goal in life is to spread happiness, hope, and positivity to those around her and to enjoy life along the way regardless of life’s ups and downs. Her hobbies include art, music, and she is an avid video game nerd.
Alexander Keith
Alex joined the team in February of 2020 as a researcher with lived experience. He’s funny, kind, and a bit of a nerd with a passion for Computers, Photography, and Graphic Design. He wants to pursue a future in Digital Arts and Activism. Alex joined the Youth Action Hub to do everything he can to prevent others from experiencing homelessness. He wants to bring more focus to wealth inequality, because he believes bringing more equity into the world will have a butterfly effect of positive change. Alex also hopes to focus on the LGBT+ community and their needs revolving around homelessness. He believes that helping to mediate family relationships and bringing awareness to other LGBT+ topics will help reduce youth homelessness.
Heather Mosher
Dr. Mosher is a research scientist and the founder and director of the Youth Action Hub at the Institute for Community Research. She received her PhD in systems science and social/community psychology. She specializes in participatory action research and mixed methods research that uses longitudinal design, quantitative and qualitative research methods, ethnography, participatory video, and system dynamics modeling. Dr. Mosher’s research focuses on social determinants of health, community prevention, mental health, youth homelessness, and housing.