Giselle Arroyo she/they

Giselle Arroyo is a 26 year old residing on the stolen lands of the Cheyenne and Ute in Jefferson County, Colorado. She feels a deep appreciation for these lands and in her free time loves to hike and spend quality time with her loved ones. She is a community organizer who’s passionate about building commUNITY and solidarity between social and climate justices. Giselle is looking forward to continued learning. She is already thriving as an organizer and hopes learning more about policy work, advocacy, and creative ways for collaboration will help her even more.

Graham Spriggs he/him

Graham Spriggs graduated with a BA in Psychology and Environment and Sustainability, and now works at a local nonprofit in his home town of Gunnison, Colorado. The organization, Gunnison Valley Mentors, works every day to provide constructive guidance: aimed at helping Colorado’s youth be more successful. Having grown up in Colorado, the 24 year old, not only shares a passion for serving Colorado’s youth, but also a passion for spending time in the wilderness. In his spare time, you can find him out with his backpack climbing and mountaineering in the Colorado alpine, riding his mountain bike, playing his guitar, or just out wandering through the woods. Graham joined the Young Advocates program because of his care to help people, looking to increase his ability to influence others and affect change in a positive manner.

Joseph Mitchell he/him

Joseph Mitchell is a 25 year old Littleton resident who hails from Arvada Colorado. After receiving a bachelors in Information Technology from Grand Canyon University: Joseph moved back home. He has found his purpose in helping others. Joining the Young Advocates Program allows him to find ways to plug into issues affecting his community. Living here his whole life Jeffco is the place he calls home.

Katherine HArvey she/her

Katherine Harvey is a 27-year-old who was born, raised and stayed in the mountains of Colorado. She founded and runs an afterschool program for middle and high school students in Gilpin County (population 5,873), the same community where she grew up. She graduated from CU Boulder in 2019 and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health. She has worked with young people since she was 16, when she mopped floors and supervised school dances at a local non-profit, and has since worked in local and state government on youth health issues. She has been an officer of Gilpin County’s Public Health Advisory Board for three years. In her free time Katherine loves to backpack, bake, ride ATVs, and hang out with her donkey.

London McElhaney he/him

London McElhaney grew up in Jefferson County:  Wheat Ridge, CO to be exact. This suburban upbringing introduced him to a side of Colorado that is very different from the new side he experiences in Grand Junction. London has learned much about urban, suburban, and rural Colorado across his lifetime. His hope is to use this knowledge and experience to help people in any and every part of the country.

Maryori Guzman she/her

Maryori “MJ” Guzman is a proud immigrant millennial living and working in rural Colorado. Born in Honduras and raised in Houston, TX, MJ began dedicating herself to advocacy and social justice causes early on due to the challenges that come with being labeled “undocumented”. MJ joined YI because she understands the vital role that educating people plays in policy building and she is passionate about bringing marginalized voices together for long-lasting impact through political action. MJ holds a General Studies associate’s from Lee College and is currently a student at UC-Denver where she is majoring in Communications with a minor in Political Science. In her spare time, you can catch her reading, hiking, hanging out with family and friends, or creating content on TikTok.

Rhiannon Mills  she/her

Rhiannon Mills is a 32-year-old Colorado resident. She is a proud single mother, raising her daughter while completing a degree in Outdoor Education and Wilderness Therapy. She attends Red Rocks Community College, where she takes part in a work study that focuses on equity and inclusion for students facing financial barriers affording necessary gear and equipment. Rhiannon joined Young Invincibles to strengthen her voice and reclaim her narrative. Her goal is to represent and advocate for others, while striving to bridge the gap in divided communities. When she finds time for herself, Rhiannon enjoys Geocaching, exploring nature with her daughter, and listening to spooky podcasts. Attending school in Jeffco has enhanced her well-being, both physically and mentally. She feels attuned with nature in a way she says she hasn’t before, and shes built a stronger connection between her mind and body. Being so near to wilderness is what sets Jeffco apart from Denver. There is a peaceful feeling up here, and it’s amazing to be wrapped up in.