Tommy Ruffingers
Youth Engagement Worker
Tommy (Ruffingers) Martello is a youth engagement worker at Be Strong Families, bringing 25+ years of lived experience and community-based practice to support young people and families. Raised in humble and unstable circumstances, Tommy uses his personal journey through adversity to build trust, model resilience, and create emotionally safe, trauma-informed spaces. He blends competitive programming, consent-based practice, and calm, relational presence to engage youth across diverse backgrounds with patience, respect, and clear boundaries.
A prolific community builder, artist, and organizer. Tommy co-founded the Artemple Foundation and founded Cleverpillar, producing youth-centered arts programs, large-scale events, and mentorship opportunities. His background as a teacher/mentor, project manager, and audio-visual installation artist informs hands-on, expressive programming that centers belonging, self-expression, and healing. At Be Strong Families he focuses on relationship-centered engagement, partnering with families and community stakeholders to expand opportunities for young people to thrive.
“A found family is every bit as beautiful as a born family. Even more so, perhaps. Stories are about choices, after all, and to choose to be family is as wonderful a story as can be told.”