StrongAfter provides free, anonymous, and secure trauma recovery resources for men who’ve had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences, and for the people who care about them. Our proprietary AI technology and expert-curated materials meet men where they are, with compassion, understanding, and without judgment.
History and Team
Our Story
StrongAfter was founded in 2025 by a team with deep roots in advocacy, healing, and forward-thinking leadership. Drawing on decades of experience serving male survivors of sexual abuse and assault, as well as other underserved communities, we set out to reimagine what healing can look like. Grounded in innovation and compassion, StrongAfter combines cutting-edge technology with trauma-informed care to create safe, empowering tools that help men overcome barriers to seeking help and access judgment-free support.
Our founders—Steve LePore, Austin O’Brion, and Wade Trimmer—draw upon extensive experience and a shared commitment to healing-centered work, technology, and community leadership. Steve brings almost four decades of executive nonprofit leadership, including founding 1in6.org, a national nonprofit supporting men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences and co-founding My Friend’s Place, a leading Los Angeles resource center for homeless youth. Austin, a digital product leader who previously led technology for 1in6.org, is also the co-founder of Token of Trust, a company focused on creating safer, more accountable online spaces. Wade serves as President of The Change Reaction, a philanthropic organization that partners with frontline workers and nonprofits to provide direct, immediate financial assistance to those in need. Together, they combine care, digital ingenuity, and practical leadership to advance StrongAfter’s mission, and are supported by a dedicated team of experts and consultants who help bring that vision to life.
Our team
Meredith Alling, MS
Content and Programs Strategist
Meredith holds an MS in Counseling Psychology from California State University Long Beach with a specialization in trauma recovery. At StrongAfter, she oversees content and program strategy, ensuring every initiative is grounded in empathy and evidence-based practice.
Carter Blum
Consultant, AI and Technology
Carter, an AI engineer at Google DeepMind, built the prototype for OSWALT™, StrongAfter’s proprietary AI assistant and continues to advise the organization to ensure the ongoing safety, integrity, and functionality of the tool.
Benjamin Clark
Director of Finance
Benjamin currently serves as Director of Finance at Little Island in NYC and brings over 15 years experience in nonprofit financial leadership and sustainable growth.
Dr. Gary Foster
Consultant, Trauma-Informed Care and Content
Founder and Manager of Living Well, Dr. Foster is a social worker with decades of experience helping men and communities heal from sexual abuse and trauma. His expertise ensures StrongAfter maintains the highest standards of trauma-informed care, clinical integrity, and empathy.
Rick Goodwin, MSW
Consultant, Trauma-Informed Care and Clinical Integrity
Rick is the Founder of Men & Healing, and co-founder and Executive Director of The Men’s Project, both internationally recognized for their work in male survivor recovery. Rick contributes to StrongAfter’s content development and trauma-informed practices.
Vivian Vang
Project Manager
Vivian brings deep expertise in operations, project management, and healthcare software implementation. She ensures that StrongAfter’s programs and projects run smoothly and efficiently, grounded in structure and collaboration.
Meredith Alling, MS
Content and Programs Strategist
Meredith holds an MS in Counseling Psychology from California State University Long Beach with a specialization in trauma recovery. At StrongAfter, she oversees content and program strategy, ensuring every initiative is grounded in empathy and evidence-based practice.
Carter Blum
Consultant, AI and Technology
Carter, an AI engineer at Google DeepMind, built the prototype for OSWALT™, StrongAfter’s proprietary AI assistant and continues to advise the organization to ensure the ongoing safety, integrity, and functionality of the tool.
Benjamin Clark
Director of Finance
Benjamin currently serves as Director of Finance at Little Island in NYC and brings over 15 years experience in nonprofit financial leadership and sustainable growth.
Dr. Gary Foster
Consultant, Trauma-Informed Care and Content
Founder and Manager of Living Well, Dr. Foster is a social worker with decades of experience helping men and communities heal from sexual abuse and trauma. His expertise ensures StrongAfter maintains the highest standards of trauma-informed care, clinical integrity, and empathy.
Rick Goodwin, MSW
Consultant, Trauma-Informed Care and Clinical Integrity
Rick is the Founder of Men & Healing, and co-founder and Executive Director of The Men’s Project, both internationally recognized for their work in male survivor recovery. Rick contributes to StrongAfter’s content development and trauma-informed practices.
Vivian Vang
Project Manager
Vivian brings deep expertise in operations, project management, and healthcare software implementation. She ensures that StrongAfter’s programs and projects run smoothly and efficiently, grounded in structure and collaboration.
A special thank you to our Ukraine-based technical team and to our programmers from Justice Through Code, a nationally recognized program supporting formerly incarcerated individuals through technical training and reentry opportunities. This website and the work we do would not exist without their dedication and talent.
StrongAfter Board of Directors
Dr. Jessica Gallus, Board President
Holistic Health Integrator, U.S. Space Force | Human Performance Optimization
Dr. Gallus is a performance management leader with significant experience in talent strategy and organization development, including human capital strategic planning, organizational health assessments, change management, and leadership development. She has extensive subject matter expertise in tackling some of the toughest challenges that organizations face, from sexual harassment/sexual assault and suicide prevention to building inclusive climates of dignity and respect.
Matt Heldt – Board Secretary/ Treasurer
Attorney, Tonkon Torp
Matt is an associate in Tonkon Torp’s Labor & Employment Practice Group where he works on litigation matters and offers employers strategy and advice on labor relations, labor law compliance, and employment issues. Matt works closely with clients to find practical solutions to their employment-related needs; when litigation becomes necessary, he strives to favorably resolve matters with efficiency, creativity, and practicality.
Aaron Valencia – Board Member
Founder/CEO, Lost Angels Career Center
Aaron Valencia is the Executive Director and Founder of the Lost Angels Career Center (LACC). Aaron is a custom classic car builder who creates amazing, award-winning cars and has a passion for helping youth, which stems from his own difficulties as a young person. Aaron founded LACC as an afterschool program to engage at-risk youth through mentorship and skills-training in classic car restoration. Aaron’s goal is to provide young people with the tools they need to succeed and improve their quality of life.
Dr. Jessica Gallus, Board President
Holistic Health Integrator, U.S. Space Force | Human Performance Optimization
Dr. Gallus is a performance management leader with significant experience in talent strategy and organization development, including human capital strategic planning, organizational health assessments, change management, and leadership development. She has extensive subject matter expertise in tackling some of the toughest challenges that organizations face, from sexual harassment/sexual assault and suicide prevention to building inclusive climates of dignity and respect.
Matt Heldt – Board Secretary/ Treasurer
Attorney, Tonkon Torp
Matt is an associate in Tonkon Torp’s Labor & Employment Practice Group where he works on litigation matters and offers employers strategy and advice on labor relations, labor law compliance, and employment issues. Matt works closely with clients to find practical solutions to their employment-related needs; when litigation becomes necessary, he strives to favorably resolve matters with efficiency, creativity, and practicality.
Aaron Valencia – Board Member
Founder/CEO, Lost Angels Career Center
Aaron Valencia is the Executive Director and Founder of the Lost Angels Career Center (LACC). Aaron is a custom classic car builder who creates amazing, award-winning cars and has a passion for helping youth, which stems from his own difficulties as a young person. Aaron founded LACC as an afterschool program to engage at-risk youth through mentorship and skills-training in classic car restoration. Aaron’s goal is to provide young people with the tools they need to succeed and improve their quality of life.
Our Work
At StrongAfter, we’re reimagining what healing can look like by creating trauma-informed, tech-forward tools and programs that meet men where they are and guide them toward what comes next.
Our Programs
OSWALT™
StrongAfter’s proprietary AI assistant, designed to safely and privately connect users with helpful information and resources, available anytime support is needed.
Resource Hub
A curated collection of expert-vetted books, articles, and podcasts, along with practical tools to navigate tough moments and strengthen resilience.
Online Support Groups (Forthcoming)
Trauma-informed spaces where survivors can connect, share, and grow together in community, guided and supported by licensed trauma therapists.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
StrongAfter is committed to making healing accessible for all men, with an initial focus on communities often left out of the conversation: Transitional Age Youth (18–24), military and veteran populations, BIPOC men (Black, Indigenous, and men of Color), and those who are incarcerated. We know that experiences of sexual trauma cross every boundary of identity, and that each man’s path toward recovery is shaped by his culture, community, and lived experience. Our programs and tools are designed with this awareness and are grounded in inclusion, informed by diverse voices, and dedicated to ensuring that every man feels safe, seen, and strong in his healing journey.
Partners in Healing: Our Seed Funders
With gratitude to the foundations, organizations, and individuals whose generosity powers StrongAfter’s mission to help male survivors and their loved ones heal through compassionate, trauma-informed innovation.
Connect with StrongAfter
For organizational inquires only: funding, partnerships, providers, authors, or media. Personal stories and sensitive information should not be shared here. Survivors can find safe, anonymous support on our More to Explore page.
Dedication
Greg & Kathy LeMond
We are deeply honored to acknowledge Greg and Kathy LeMond as the inspiration behind the launch of our nonprofit organization, dedicated to supporting male survivors.
Their courage, resilience, and commitment to speaking out on important issues have profoundly influenced our mission. Greg, a legendary figure in cycling, and Kathy, a steadfast advocate, have not only demonstrated exceptional perseverance in their own lives but have also championed the cause of healing and empowerment for countless others.
Their example reminds us of the strength it takes to confront trauma and the importance of creating spaces where survivors can heal and rebuild their lives.
As we embark on this journey, we are grateful for the path they’ve paved, and we hope to honor their legacy by making a lasting impact in the lives of male survivors and those who care about them.
Thank you, Greg and Kathy, for inspiring us to act with compassion, courage, and dedication.
