Living With Change is 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting transgender youth and their families by providing education, resources, advocacy, and support while fostering confidence and acceptance through change.
In addition to these transgender youth services, Founders Chris and Jessica Cicchinelli hope to lead the charge toward a change in perspective and awareness to make our communities a safer, more inclusive place for transgender children. To accomplish this, Living With Change will partner with schools to help ensure transgender youth are welcomed and accepted while working with politicians to change existing policies, prevent discriminatory ones, and promote initiatives that help transgender youth get an equal start in life.
Visit our Action page for more details on the plans LWC is dedicated to bringing about.
While the organization takes its name from the process transgender youth families go through when their child comes out as trans—learning to adapt to a new normal and accept your child for who they are—Living With Change really found its beginnings with its namesake, LC Cicchinelli.
Chris and Jessica Cicchinelli realized how necessary it was to start Living With Change after experiencing first-hand the uncertainty and adversity many parents of transgender children face. While seeking care and treatment for oldest daughter LC, the Cincinnati couple recognized many families didn’t have that same luxury—going without puberty delaying treatments and even being placed on wait lists hundreds of patients long. Chris and Jessica hope the foundation will act as a stop gap for those families with transgender children in need of relevant medical care, transgender programs, and more.
Tristan N. Vaught (Pronouns: they/them) is currently the Director of Training and Education at Living with Change. They are an activist, educator, and the Founding Director of the LGBTQ+ Center at Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis. Previous to this role, they held positions as the Interim Director and first Program Coordinator of the LGBTQ Center at the University of Cincinnati. They hold a Master’s degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from University of Cincinnati with research centered on the effectiveness of LGBTQ+ ally trainings in higher education. They also graduated with Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Cincinnati. Tristan’s advocacy and education work focuses on intersecting identities and how they impact individuals’ lived experiences. They enjoy writing poetry and short stories, communing with nature, and considers themselves a bourbon snob.
Brice Mickey started with Living With Change on July 23rd, 2018 as a Trainer and Lead Grant Writer. Brice, who uses he/him/his pronouns, was born and raised here in Cincinnati, where he attended Walnut Hills High and later UC to earn his Bachelors of Science in Information Technology. After undergrad, Brice spent four years as an award winning staff member in the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Cincinnati where he was responsible for coordinating the Racial Awareness Program (RAPP) while earning a Graduate Certificate in Higher Educational Leadership
Though his love of technology and leadership prevented him from pursuing a degree specifically in Social Justice, he was deeply involved with RAPP’s 2-time nationally recognized brand of social justice education since 2009. Through this program Brice had experience training, challenging, and educating thousands of students around issues of inclusion and equity. He was also responsible for seeking out and providing resources toward educating the Cincinnati community. During his inaugural year in charge of the program he was awarded the Innovative Response award from the American College Personnel Association’s Commission on Social Justice Education. He was later awarded the university-wide Dr. Marian Spencer Equity Ambassador Award for his contribution to equity and inclusion training as well as the Student Affairs Equity & Inclusion Award. He was also awarded the Leisan Smith Founder’s Award for “creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone, regardless of identity.” Brice is also a devoted member of the Social Justice Training Institute (SJTI) community where he was a student participant, staff participant, and later a facilitator. Before leaving the university, he successfully proposed to bring SJTI’s national institute to UC in the summer of 2019.
Brice is excited to bring his social justice background to Living With Change and looks forward to helping them expand their mission through increased resources!
Jack Albers (He/Him/His)- Jack is a Cincinnati native and graduated from Wyoming High school. He graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor’s in Biology. Before coming to Living with Change he spent time in the political field as a campaign manager. Jack runs the varied logistical aspects of LWC such as directing event programming, managing the social media, supervising interns, facilitating support groups, and additionally assisting in educational facilitations. When he’s not being a versatile team player he’s probably in the gym, out on a run, or lecturing you on why “Lord of the Rings” is better than “Harry Potter” (yea, we don’t agree with him either).
Sam Brinker Esq: Sam is an attorney at Dinsmore, an ordained minister, writer and resident of Dayton, OH. Sam has a new blog, ‘Becky with the Good Beard,’ in which he describes his journey as a proud transgender man.
Mr. Joe Desch: Joe founded PrintManagement in 1999 and led it to become one of the leading printing, design, and fulfillment companies in the Tri-State area. Joe is now the SVP of OneTouchPoint after PrintMangement was bought by ICV Partners.
Pastor Lesley Jones: Lesley is a licensed United Church of Christ minister and Senior Pastor and Founder of Truth & Destiny Covenant Ministries. Past Executive Director for Cincinnati Human Relations Commission and Equality Cincinnati.
Justice Michelle Keller: Michelle was an attorney for 17 years before elected Judge on Kentucky Court of Appeals in 2006. Appointed to the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2013, and subsequently won reelection in 2014 for a second full term.
Mr. Ryan Messer: Ryan is an elected Member of the Cincinnati Board of Education and Regional Business Director for Johnson and Johnson.
Mrs. Alexandra Quinn: Alexandra happily resides in the Indian Hill area with her husband and kids, and is extremely committed to creating inclusive and equitable spaces in our schools and places of work.
Michael Schwartz Esq: Michael is a partner in the Cincinnati law offices of Vorys, Sater, Seymour, and Pease, LLP, where he focuses on estate and tax planning, closely-held businesses, and trust controversy resolution.
Charla Weiss Ph.D: Charla is the interim Manager at the Office of Cultural and Language Diversity at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Past Executive Director for several San Francisco/East Bay organizations.
Ms. Sara Vance Waddell: Sara is the owner and President of SMV Media, a community advocate, a philanthropist and an accomplished art collector.