We are excited to welcome Charity Salas to the We Are Up team as our new Community Connector.

In this role, Charity partners with participants to bring their person-centered plans for belonging to life, helping people build meaningful relationships and become active members of their communities.

Charity brings 27 years of experience in education, including Special Education, and has dedicated her career to helping individuals discover their strengths, build confidence, foster belonging and reach their full potential.

Her passion for inclusion extends beyond the classroom. Charity is a year-round Special Olympics coach and Co-Area Director, creating opportunities for athletes to compete, connect, and thrive.

As the parent of an adult son on the autism spectrum, Charity is passionate about fostering lifelong independence and creating inclusive opportunities where divergent adults can build friendships and experience a true sense of belonging.

Outside of work, Charity enjoys traveling, spending time with her dogs, attending local events, supporting community causes, and coaching local athletes through Special Olympics.

Gwilym will manage our greenhouse operations, orchard, and outdoor cultivation spaces. He is excited to create hands-on opportunities for people of all abilities to engage with the natural world, discover new skills, and experience the satisfaction that comes from nurturing living things.

Gwilym has worked in organic agriculture since 2013, with experience spanning the Open Door Food and Garden Program, the College of the Redwoods Sustainable Farm, the North Coast Growers Association, and numerous local farms. These experiences have shaped his belief that agriculture is a powerful tool for healing, meaningful moments, and community building. He is excited to see the produce we will grow here and, even more importantly, the lasting connections we will build throughout our local community.

Beyond my work at We Are Up, I run my own small flower farm, Lost Coast Flora, where I specialize in growing sunflowers and dahlias. I am also an avid printmaker and naturalist, and you can find me at the Eureka Friday Night Markets selling both my natural illustration prints and my fresh-cut flowers. Whether through a sunflower, a sketch, or a shared moment in the garden, I am passionate about helping people find joy and meaning in the world around them.

Meet Jessica Maushardt, the Connector Director for We Are Up.  Jessica brings over a decade of dedicated experience in the education field to her role. She holds a Master's degree in Education and Public policy, a background that fuels her commitment to building strong, supportive communities.

As the proud mother of two teenage boys on the autism spectrum, Jessica’s personal life deeply inspires her professional mission. Her sons have been her greatest teachers, sparking a deep passion for creating inclusive spaces where individuals of all abilities can truly thrive.

Originally born and raised in Southern California, Jessica moved to McKinleyville 16 years ago and has proudly called it home ever since. Outside of her work, you can usually find her cheering on sports teams alongside her kids or relaxing at home with her beloved cats.

Lauren brings a steady, detail-oriented touch to everything she manages at We Are Up. With a background in bookkeeping, office administration, and HR, she's the kind of person who keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes — from financial recordkeeping to scheduling to making sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Before joining We Are Up, Lauren built her career supporting small businesses and nonprofits throughout Trinity and Humboldt Counties. Lauren thrives on learning new systems, adapting quickly whenever priorities shift.