Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Feliciana Ligerose
Board President
Feliciana Rose is a Colorado native who resides in Denver’s Far Northeast community and is a mother of two children, ages 17 and 10. She currently serves as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Colorado Circles for Change (CCFC) and brings more than a decade of experience as a youth mentor, coach, board member, and volunteer across schools and community-based organizations. Feliciana has long held a deep passion for empowering young people and strengthening families through advocacy, leadership, and community engagement.
Her commitment to this work is rooted in lived experience. After her son became involved in the juvenile justice system, Feliciana made it her personal mission to support system-impacted youth and families and to help address the social injustices they face. She began volunteering with CCFC (formerly VORP) in early 2013 and was elected to the Board of Directors later that same year. Through her leadership, she has remained focused on the transformative impact CCFC has on youth, families, and entire communities, believing that even changing one life is worth the commitment.
Feliciana is also an active member of a Legislative Committee examining the rights of juvenile defendants, where she brings the perspective of a parent, advocate, and community leader. She is deeply motivated by the opportunity to shape the next generation and to ensure young people are supported with dignity, care, and opportunity. By sharing her lived experience and leading with grace, Feliciana remains dedicated to helping families navigate some of life’s most difficult moments while building a more just and compassionate future.
Feliciana Ligerose
Board President
Read Juliana's Story
Feliciana Rose is a Colorado native who resides in Denver’s Far Northeast community and is a mother of two children, ages 17 and 10. She currently serves as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Colorado Circles for Change (CCFC) and brings more than a decade of experience as a youth mentor, coach, board member, and volunteer across schools and community-based organizations. Feliciana has long held a deep passion for empowering young people and strengthening families through advocacy, leadership, and community engagement.
Her commitment to this work is rooted in lived experience. After her son became involved in the juvenile justice system, Feliciana made it her personal mission to support system-impacted youth and families and to help address the social injustices they face. She began volunteering with CCFC (formerly VORP) in early 2013 and was elected to the Board of Directors later that same year. Through her leadership, she has remained focused on the transformative impact CCFC has on youth, families, and entire communities, believing that even changing one life is worth the commitment.
Feliciana is also an active member of a Legislative Committee examining the rights of juvenile defendants, where she brings the perspective of a parent, advocate, and community leader. She is deeply motivated by the opportunity to shape the next generation and to ensure young people are supported with dignity, care, and opportunity. By sharing her lived experience and leading with grace, Feliciana remains dedicated to helping families navigate some of life’s most difficult moments while building a more just and compassionate future.
Melissa Pluss
Board Member
Melissa Pluss has served on the Board of Colorado Circles for Change (CCFC) since November 2018 and brings a deep commitment to ending the school-to-prison pipeline and strengthening community-led solutions for youth and young adults. Her professional background is rooted in grassroots community organizing and advocacy, with a focus on addressing systemic injustice through collective action.
Early in her career, Melissa spent three years with CLOUT (Citizens of Louisville Organized and United Together), where she helped lead grassroots campaigns focused on transforming juvenile justice and school discipline practices. Through direct action and organizing, these efforts resulted in the implementation of restorative practices within Louisville’s juvenile justice system and public schools, as well as a district-wide anti-bullying policy.
Melissa later worked with nonprofits in Kansas City, supporting individuals impacted by incarceration through mentoring programs focused on employment, housing, healthcare access, and community connection. After moving to Denver, she joined United for a New Economy as Organizing Director, where she helped build a multilingual, multigenerational, and multiracial organizing committee advocating for renters’ rights, affordable housing, and language justice at the city and state level.
Melissa is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Iliff School of Theology, where she seeks to bridge faith and justice work. Her leadership reflects a strong belief in the power of community organizing, dignity, and long-term investment in people and systems that support youth and families.
Melissa Pluss
Board Member
Read Melissa's Story
Melissa Pluss has served on the Board of Colorado Circles for Change (CCFC) since November 2018 and brings a deep commitment to ending the school-to-prison pipeline and strengthening community-led solutions for youth and young adults. Her professional background is rooted in grassroots community organizing and advocacy, with a focus on addressing systemic injustice through collective action.
Early in her career, Melissa spent three years with CLOUT (Citizens of Louisville Organized and United Together), where she helped lead grassroots campaigns focused on transforming juvenile justice and school discipline practices. Through direct action and organizing, these efforts resulted in the implementation of restorative practices within Louisville’s juvenile justice system and public schools, as well as a district-wide anti-bullying policy.
Melissa later worked with nonprofits in Kansas City, supporting individuals impacted by incarceration through mentoring programs focused on employment, housing, healthcare access, and community connection. After moving to Denver, she joined United for a New Economy as Organizing Director, where she helped build a multilingual, multigenerational, and multiracial organizing committee advocating for renters’ rights, affordable housing, and language justice at the city and state level.
Melissa is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Iliff School of Theology, where she seeks to bridge faith and justice work. Her leadership reflects a strong belief in the power of community organizing, dignity, and long-term investment in people and systems that support youth and families.
Feliciana Ligerose
Board President
Learn About Feliciana
Feliciana Rose is a Colorado native who resides in Denver’s Far Northeast community and is a mother of two children, ages 17 and 10. She currently serves as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Colorado Circles for Change (CCFC) and brings more than a decade of experience as a youth mentor, coach, board member, and volunteer across schools and community-based organizations. Feliciana has long held a deep passion for empowering young people and strengthening families through advocacy, leadership, and community engagement.
Her commitment to this work is rooted in lived experience. After her son became involved in the juvenile justice system, Feliciana made it her personal mission to support system-impacted youth and families and to help address the social injustices they face. She began volunteering with CCFC (formerly VORP) in early 2013 and was elected to the Board of Directors later that same year. Through her leadership, she has remained focused on the transformative impact CCFC has on youth, families, and entire communities, believing that even changing one life is worth the commitment.
Feliciana is also an active member of a Legislative Committee examining the rights of juvenile defendants, where she brings the perspective of a parent, advocate, and community leader. She is deeply motivated by the opportunity to shape the next generation and to ensure young people are supported with dignity, care, and opportunity. By sharing her lived experience and leading with grace, Feliciana remains dedicated to helping families navigate some of life’s most difficult moments while building a more just and compassionate future.
Melissa Puss
Board Member
Read About Melissa
Melissa Pluss has served on the Board of Colorado Circles for Change (CCFC) since November 2018 and brings a deep commitment to ending the school-to-prison pipeline and strengthening community-led solutions for youth and young adults. Her professional background is rooted in grassroots community organizing and advocacy, with a focus on addressing systemic injustice through collective action.
Early in her career, Melissa spent three years with CLOUT (Citizens of Louisville Organized and United Together), where she helped lead grassroots campaigns focused on transforming juvenile justice and school discipline practices. Through direct action and organizing, these efforts resulted in the implementation of restorative practices within Louisville’s juvenile justice system and public schools, as well as a district-wide anti-bullying policy.
Melissa later worked with nonprofits in Kansas City, supporting individuals impacted by incarceration through mentoring programs focused on employment, housing, healthcare access, and community connection. After moving to Denver, she joined United for a New Economy as Organizing Director, where she helped build a multilingual, multigenerational, and multiracial organizing committee advocating for renters’ rights, affordable housing, and language justice at the city and state level.
Melissa is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Iliff School of Theology, where she seeks to bridge faith and justice work. Her leadership reflects a strong belief in the power of community organizing, dignity, and long-term investment in people and systems that support youth and families.
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