About Us
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Our goal is to raise $75,000+ to locate, lease or purchase, furnish, and insure a safe, secure, and accessible space.
Our ongoing efforts to develop into a full-fledged resource and gathering facility will require additional funding for operational support.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to cultivate the Placer County area as a safe space for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community, and their families, through education, mentoring, peer support, and resources.
Our Vision
Our Vision is a resource and education hub where LGBTQ+ people and allies can safely gather, coordinate advocacy efforts, and build community. A physical gathering space where members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies can gather safely to access resources and support, as well as opportunities to get involved and build community is much needed here. Placer LGBTQ+ Center will also continue to organize the annual Placer Pride event.
Our Non-Profit
In 2014, our non-profit was formed under the name of PRISM-Q LGBT & Allies Resource Center. After a few years of sporadic events, community outreach, and then COVID, Daniella Zimmerman, became our Board CEO, and revived the non-profit by recruiting a new five member board of accomplished professionals, ready to make the dream of a Center become a reality. As of late, 2022 we are officially doing business as The Placer LGBTQ+ Center, and Placer Pride.
The Team
Daniella Zimmerman
Board President / CEO
(she/her)
Current Board President/CEO Daniella Zimmerman (she/her) is an active ally, passionate advocate, mom, and retired Social Sciences and English teacher with over 45 years of experience working with diverse youth of all ages in both high school, and University settings. She joined the Board in 2018, served as Board Secretary until 2020, and chaired the Placer Pride Planning Committee in 2020 (virtual), 2021 (postponed), and 2022 (inaugural in-person event). Daniella is also a PFLAG Greater Placer County chapter Board member, serving in various capacities since 2019, and has assisted with The Landing Spot, a support, educational, and social group for Placer County LGBTQ+ teens and their families, since 2018. Knitting, hiking, attending live music and theater performances, and spending time with friends and family bring her joy.
Cindy Baudoin
CFO / Treasurer
(she/he/they)
Cindy is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Cindy brings 50+ years of accounting experience. Cindy is also the CFO of the Lavender Library in Sacramento and has helped manage and bring them to fiscal stability. Cindy prides herself on being able to manage funds and work as a team member. Cindy has been on the Placer Pride Planning committee since its inception in 2020. Cindy loves her fur babies Dottie and Cassie. Cindy loves to travel and visit historical sites and is looking forward to doing more of that with her wife Nancy.
Jacque Vaughn
Vice President
(she/her)
Jacque is a member of the LGBTQ community. As an attorney, she is committed to promoting and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights; and as a third generation Placer County resident, she is passionate about establishing an LGBTQ+ resource center here in Placer County. She has been an active member of the Placer Pride planning committee since 2019, and has coordinated the Placer Pride Car Caravans in 2020, 2021, and 2022. She is the proud dog-mom of an adorable English Bulldog-mix named Priscilla (Prissy) who is also very passionate about LGBTQ+ activism!
Kara Merliss
Board Secretary
(she/her)
Kara is a resident of Placer County and member of the LGBTQ Community. She brings with her to the board extensive experience in community outreach and problem solving. Driven by desire of acceptance and inclusivity for all, she serves as board secretary and helps lead the communication committee. In her free time Kara enjoys cuddling with her cats, planning elaborate get-togethers with her friends and spending time with her growing family. She is most excited to be a part of establishing Placer LGBTQ Center as a resource for Placer County’s queer community and those looking to strengthen their ties as allies through education and action.
Nancy McKernan
Member at Large
(she/her)
Nancy has 10 years serving as vice president on the Board of the Lavender Library, a non-profit lending library in Sacramento. She currently leads the Operations Department and is co-chair of the library’s collections committee. Nancy serves on the Board of PFLAG of Greater Placer County since 2019. This national organization is dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people. She is on the Placer Pride Planning Committee and an active participant in the Car Caravan since 2000. Nancy has 40 years’ experience working in telecommunications as a Network Specialist. Installing, repairing, and maintaining fiber optic and switching networks. When she is not volunteering, she enjoys being outdoors hiking, biking, gardening and woodworking. She loves spending time watching documentaries and movies with her wife and 2 dogs.