Sharlene Kerelejza, MSW, LMSW

Sharlene's (she/her or they/them) non-profit roots lay in supporting survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and violence against children for 25 years, 10 as the Executive Director of Meriden-Wallingford Chrysalis. Prior to that role she served for over 5 years as the Director of Prevention and Intervention Services for Women and Families Center in Meriden, CT, and as the Director of Sexual Assault Crisis Services for 3 years at Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury.

Sharlene volunteers as a Women’s March – CT Organizer and as a member of her local Democratic Town Committee and recently completed work with the ad hoc Meriden Police Use of Force Committee. She relishes coming home to her awesome family: her wife and inspiration (and fellow social worker), their son and daughter and fur babies. Dancing in the kitchen still brings great joy, as does soccer, hiking, and meaningful connection. Sharlene loves to talk about issues of social justice: including violence against women and children, LGBTGEQIAP+ community issues and supports, cultural humility/anti-oppression, harm reduction approaches to equity and trauma-informed care. She also has a lot of experience in non-profit management and has applied for and secured multiple multi-year federal grants throughout her time with non-profit organizations.