Lived Experience Advisors

Jae Lange (they/them) is an advocate and hands-on service provider, who has devoted their life to effecting positive transformation in Richmond. Their journey from housing instability to becoming an influential leader is a testament to their passion and tenacity. Jae, is a multifaceted individual with an unwavering commitment to community growth. As a person with lived experience, Jae’s empathy and understanding makes them a compassionate advocate for those facing challenges. In 2015, Jae became part of Advocates for Richmond Youth, an organization committed to improving the lives of young people. Their personal hardships fueled their desire for the work done with ARY (Advocates for Richmond Youth) and they have continued to create change ever sense.

Today Jae works as a Direct Service Specialist with Marsha and Marians Neighbors and works on the National Alliance to End Homelessness Community Strategic Team. Jae’s passions include ending youth homelessness, empowering young individuals, promoting mental health and education, and advocating for affirming spaces where all identities are celebrated and safe. Jae Lange’s story is a powerful example of resilience, compassion, and the belief in the possibility of change. They are not just a believer in change, but are determined to be the catalyst for it. In addition to their advocacy work, Jae is a dedicated mother, a BSW student , small business owner and self-published author to a mental wellness and self-care activity book. Jae balances these responsibilities with an unyielding determination to learn and grow which ignites their purpose for creating a better world

In recovery since 2019, Robert is currently a Peer Support Specialist for the University of Washington, based out of Harborview Medical Center. His desire is through his faith and relationship with God to be used as a vessel to advocate and truly connect with peers he meets; utilize all he can to make a lasting impact. Everyday he tries his hardest to share his strength, experience and hope using what he’s learned in his own journey. He aims to be genuine and positive in all that he does.

Amanda Saurber is a person with lived experience, who has been impacted by many socioeconomic challenges and through her own recovery journey, has become an advocate for change. 

In January of 2021, Amanda got her Peer Support Cert. and started working as an Intake Coordinator for one of the largest recovery housing providers in Hamilton County and was eventually promoted to Operations Manager. Faced with the need to connect individuals to resources, Amanda realized how little herself and others knew about the resources available in her community and took it upon herself to learn what the organizations in her community had to offer. And in April of 2021, Amanda created a Facebook page called Our Community Resources, where she aimed to provide resources available in her community to her community.

In June of 2022, Amanda was hired at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio where she currently works as a Peer Support Specialist for a Jobs and Family Services program called Benefits Bridge. Benefits Bridge is a program that assists individuals with children, who have received a reduction in benefits due to employment, find stability and sustainability through financial literacy, barrier removal, education assistance and connection to higher paying jobs.

In February 2024, Amanda was selected as a member of the National Alliance to End Homelessness’ Community Strategic Team. The Community Strategic Team and the Alliance are working to support lived experience community work around the nation by developing, designing, and deploying a plan to partner with lived experience individuals.

These last four years Amanda has built a reputation for being a Resource Specialist. She has accumulated a list of over 3000 organizations that provide resources to the community by collaborating with other individuals with lived experience, participating in outreach event, word of mouth, or community engagements.

In turn, Amanda launched www.OurCommunityResources.org in January 2024, and established Our Community Resources, LLC as it own organization in April of 2024. Our Community Resources, LLC provides individualized case management to justice-impacted and/or chronically homeless individuals in need of removing barriers that prevent that individual from living a stable and sustainable life.

Amanda has a passion for connecting individuals to wrap-around services and firmly believes a holistic approach to removing the barriers that prevent individuals from living a stable and sustainable life would further eliminate the poverty within our community.

Stanley Sorrell is the Public Policy and Advocacy Manager at the San Antonio Food Bank. He advocates for policies that feed families and individuals at the local, state, and federal levels. 

In addition, Stanley is also a lived experience member of the Community Strategic Team with the National Alliance to End Homelessness. He believes in creating space for those with lived experience because it’s important that the voices at the table are coming from those closest to the issue.