Youth SAGA

Dr. Laura B. Farmer, LPC

Co-founder and Director of Youth SAGA

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​Dr. Laura B. Farmer, LPC is co-founder and Director of Youth SAGA. She works as a mental health therapist in private practice in Roanoke, VA. Her research and clinical interests focus on gender diversity and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals. Laura also founded the state advocacy organization Virginia Association for LGBT Issues in Counseling (VA-ALGBTIC) in 2015. She serves as Co-PI on the National Institute of Mental Health project, The BH-Works Suicide Prevention Program for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth. Laura is a Qoya dance and movement instructor, expressive arts enthusiast, and devoted mom of three children. 

Brandon McGhee

Vice-Chair of Board of Directors at Diversity Camp Inc., Facilitator for Youth SAGA

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Brandon McGhee, LCSW, he/ him pronouns, is a resident of Roanoke, VA where he lives with his husband and dogs. He received his Bachelors in Social Work (BSW) in 2007 from Ferrum College and received his Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from University of
New England in 2018. He is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). His work background is with the
Department of Social Services in Foster Care, Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, and Prevention as well as counseling for youth and
families. He currently works as a counselor.

October Ellis

Youth SAGA Facilitator

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October Ellis (they/them) has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ youth through work and volunteering for over a decade. They are committed to creating and finding safe spaces for queer youth, educating parents, caregivers, and families. As well as advocating for mental health, and building community connections. As a queer trans person and a parent to a gender-creative child, October understands firsthand the importance of promoting self-expression and individuality. Through their work with Diversity Camp, they strive to be the person their teen self once needed. In their free time, October loves hanging out with their amazing kiddo and their cats. They also enjoy cooking, and caring for succulents. 

Dani Chowen

Youth SAGA Facilitator

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​Dani Chowen (she/her) is one of the group facilitators for Youth SAGA. Dani graduated from Virginia Tech in 2022 with a Bachelors in Human Development. She is a licensed Qualified Mental Health Professional- Children (QMHP-C) in the state of Virginia, and she works as a middle school-based case manager. Dani is passionate about working with youth to help them grow and become the happiest and most confident versions of themselves. She loves that Youth SAGA is a space where LGBTQ+ youth can find community, support, and a place to be their most authentic selves.

Kelly Davis

Youth SAGA Facilitator

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Kelly is a Youth SAGA facilitator and serves as a key personnel for the BH-Works Suicide Prevention Program for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth. Kelly has an extensive background in youth mental health and has worked as a crisis counselor, as an in-home family therapist, and as a clinical consultant in K-12 schools. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Kelly’s research and clinical interests center around LGBTQIA+ youth mental health, with a particular emphasis on cultivating supportive environments that enable youth to thrive. In her free time, Kelly teaches several group fitness classes in the Roanoke area and can often be found spending time with her partner, her cat, and her dog.

Jesse Pruitt

Youth SAGA Facilitator

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Jesse (they/she) currently serves youth and young adults across the Roanoke area as a Violence Prevention Educator with TAP Domestic Violence Services. Utilizing their psychology and social work background, Jesse's goal is to provide youth with the skills and knowledge needed to create and maintain healthy relationships while breaking any existing cycles of abuse. Growing up queer in the Roanoke area drives Jesse's desire to provide safe spaces and a sense of community to local LGBTQ+ youth. Jesse is also a Court Appointed Special Advocate with Children's Trust, proud parent, and lover of all art forms. 

Taylor Medley

Youth SAGA Facilitator

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Taylor Medley (she/they) grew up in the Roanoke Valley and was a part of Youth SAGA as a high school student when it was known as DESTINY. Since then, they left Roanoke to study Gender, Sexuality, & Women's Studies at William & Mary before working as a Community Organizer in Richmond, focusing specifically on expanding healthcare access to underserved populations. They returned to the Roanoke area in 2019 with their partner and currently serve as the Volunteer Services Manager at Carilion Clinic, where she has the honor of connecting people with fulfilling volunteer opportunities. Taylor is a Master of Social Work (MSW) student at Virginia Commonwealth University and is excited to continue to support LGBTQ+ youth in her future social work practice. They enjoy the healing power of nature, hiking, experimenting in the kitchen, and a good jigsaw puzzle.