As Program Officer, Laura is responsible for managing our social change grantmaking activities and developing strategies to support, strengthen, promote and expand youth organizing practices throughout Connecticut. Laura comes to the Foundation with extensive knowledge of Connecticut's youth landscape, demonstrated experience as a community organizer and youth development practitioner, and a deep commitment to empowering young people as agents of change.

Prior to joining the Perrin Foundation, Laura was awarded a Soros Justice Fellowship from Open Society Foundations, where she engaged in research and organizing work around Connecticut's school to prison pipeline. She also previously served as the founding Executive Director of Youth Rights Media, a New Haven-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth to use media and organizing strategies to create both individual and community change. In 2007, Laura was awarded the international Reebok Human Rights Award in recognition of her outstanding work with and on behalf of marginalized youth. She graduated from Yale University Magna Cum Laude in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies.

Kelly Weldon Kelly Weldon, Grants Manager, joined The Perrin Family Foundation in the fall of 2008.

Kelly oversees the day to day operations of the office as well as the grant making process and portfolio. Her activities include managing special projects related to supporting Youth Voice efforts, organizing networking opportunities for current grantees, and connecting organizations with non-profit learning and resource opportunities.

Kelly holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. Her work experience includes positions with; The Family & Children's Agency, VAL Foundation, Head Start, Children's Village and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Kelly's interests include volunteering in the community, reading, running and going to the beach. She lives in Wilton with her husband and three children.

Julia Murphy Klein joined The Perrin Family Foundation Staff in October, 2007 as its first program associate. Ms. Klein's primarily role is working to advance social change efforts in the state of Connecticut by identifying, conducting outreach, and providing support to youth & adult partnerships addressing community issues.

Julia holds a MSW degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA degree from Mount Holyoke College. Her work history includes being a case manager for youth in foster care and residential treatment settings, as well as a foster care parent recruiter and trainer in Philadelphia, PA. She and her family reside in Fairfield, in a fun neighborhood where seventy children live and play.