Expanding Social Support for GLBTQ Youth

Dear Friends, 

As 2012 rapidly comes to an end, I would like to thank you again for your continued support of the National GLBTQ Youth Foundation. We continue to work hard to improve the availability and quality of social support for sexual minority youth.

Our study on community social programs was just published in a major psychology journal. Here are the highlights from this report:

• Community-based GLBTQ social support programs provide critically important services including safe spaces, social networking, HIV education, and referrals to appropriate medical and mental health services. 
• School programs like gay-straight alliances are available in less than 10% of schools and require a teenager to come out at school - not always a safe thing to do. 
• The highest levels of anti-gay oppression occur in conservative areas of the U.S. -- places where GLBTQ social support programs don't exist. 
• Many gay teenagers travel up to 2 hours each way just to reach social support. Many other teens have no way to reach a program. 
• Most programs operate on just $10,000-$50,000 each year. 

Please tell your friends and colleagues about our mission so we can continue to improve social support for GLBTQ youth. 

Happy Holidays

Links:

• Foundation Website

Thank you for your continued support of our project's important mission. Your donations are greatly appreciated and the Board of Directors of the Foundation will continue to make sure these funds are used effectively.

As the new school year starts, we are very concerned about the social climate that many gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth will face. I am sure you have all seen the antigay messages that the media continues to cover as we go through what some experts refer to as the "silly season" of politics. As gay advocates continue the long fight for equal rights, we want to make sure that today's GLBTQ teenagers have a safe place to meet other GLBTQ youth away from the school environment. After all, less than 10% of middle schools and high schools have a gay support group. And, school support programs require that an adolescent comes out when they might not be ready. Community-based social support programs for GLBTQ youth continue to be the best solution. 

Let's continue to work together to protect GLBTQ teens and pre-teens from the harsh and painful harm caused by antigay hate and oppression. The very least we can do is increase the number and size of community support programs that provide a safe and nurturing environment for GLBTQ adolescents. Please visit the National GLBTQ Youth Foundation website and review the blog entries to learn more about the challenges faced by GLBTQ youth. 

Thank you again for your support and please tell your friends about our critical work. If we increase the level of our donations, we can start providing grants to effective programs in the most problematic areas of the United States. 

Links:

• GLBTQ Youth Foundation Homepage

Dear Friends,

The National GLBTQ Youth Foundation (NYF) is having a big year and we are so glad that you are a part of it! 

In March during the GlobalGiving Match Day, we fulfilled our goal to raise enough money to fund both of this year's dissertation research grants.  So, keep your eyes peeled, as we will be releasing the Request for Proposals (RFP) for this year's grants soon.  Last year NYF funded two research grants, which aided two doctoral candidates in the completion of their projects studying effective resources for LGBTQ youth.  You can check out last year's recipients HERE.

Earlier this year, NYF also launched a blog where followers can read short synopses of current research related to GLBTQ youth.  This has proven to be a much needed resource as the entries have been viewed by thousands of visitors.  Please stop by the BLOG today and leave us some feedback. 

As the summer approaches, NYF will also be starting up a new green fundraising campaign.  NYF will be partnering with Planet Green Recycling to turn used inkjet cartridges, cell phones, iPods, digital cameras, and other small electronics into cash!  This will provide a unique option for those of you who might find extra funds a bit sparse, but still want to contribute.  This campaign will be launching in a few weeks. Maybe your work office hasn't started a recycling plan yet or would like to change a recycling provider that will reap philanthropic benefits...either way, stay posted!   

Thanks to our web development team, we will also be seeing an updated website in the coming months.  If you would like more information on other ways to support NYF, our board of directors, the NYF Blog, grants, the organization's mission, or to join the mailing list, stop by our WEBSITE.

Last, but not least, put June 13th on your calendars!  In just two weeks GlobalGiving.com will be hosting another Match Day.  On this one day, GlobalGiving matches every donation at 30%. Funds can run out early as there are only $50,000 in matching funds available.  Stay tuned for more information and add the NYF Facebook page for more details as the date approaches.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Enjoy the heat!

Heather

Links:

• Website
• Facebook Page

Dear Friends,

This coming Wednesday, March 14th, is a Global Giving Match Day.  Beginning at 12:01am (EST) on Wednesday, GlobalGiving will be matching one donation per donor at 30% until the $50,000 in matching funds is used up.  On our last Match Day in October, the National GLBTQ Youth Foundatioon (NYF) brought in nearly enough money to fund one of this year's Dissertation Grants.  

This Match Day, NYF is setting a goal to fund a second Dissertation Grant in just one day!  Please send this email (or one with your own personal touches) to those people in your life who might support the important work we are doing at NYF today.  Post the link to the NYF project page on Facebook and Twitter (http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/expanding-social-support-for-glbtq-youth/). 

On Wednesday, be sure to remind everyone with another post, tweet, or email.  We only have a few hours because the $50,000 in matching funds could be used up quickly, so lets start early!

As always, thank you for your support,

Heather

Dear Friends & Supporters,

What a year 2011 has been! The National GLBTQ Youth Foundation has completed its
first full year of operations. Established in February of 2010, the Foundation continues
to be the only national nonprofit charity solely dedicated to improving the lives of
GLBTQ youth by funding psychosocial research and evidence-based community
interventions and we have had some fantastic accomplishments this year.

• Early this year, the Foundation conducted an important study that analyzed the
services provided by the 116 community-based social support programs in the
United States. The study will be published in early 2012 in The Journal of
Homosexuality, an internationally recognized peer-reviewed psychological
publication.

• In September, after a very extensive review process, the Foundation awarded
grants to two doctoral students to support their research on GLBTQ youth issues.
Please visit our website for detailed information on Mr. Heck and Ms. Woolley,
the grant recipients.

• The Foundation was successful in its application with New York State to
establish operations as a nonprofit charity in New York City. As of August, the
Foundation has officially relocated to New York City where the Board of Directors
will have greater visibility and improved networking opportunities.

• The Foundation recruited Alan Beard, a very talented high school senior, to be
our youth advisor and to chair a national youth advisory committee. Initial plans
for developing the youth advisor committee have been finalized and the
committee members will be recruited in early 2012.

Apart from our successes this year, the Foundation also saw an unexpected transition
of the Foundation’s founding president, Dr. Kenneth Allen, to a new life adventure
following the career path of his partner overseas. Though the Foundation is sad to see
Dr. Allen step down as its official leader, he still remains a dedicated and passionate
board member and advisor to the organization. The Foundation will be forever indebted
to Dr. Allen for his tireless efforts to support LGBTQ youth across the nation.

The Foundation continues to have a vibrant, insightful, and experienced Board of
Directors located throughout the nation in California, DC, New York, Oregon, and
Washington. We look forward to continuing our collaborations with you in 2012. Without
your continued support, the Foundation’s work would not be possible.

With Warm Regards,

Heather Himes, PsyD
President

A special note from Dr. Kenneth Allen:

It is with great sadness, but also with much excitement that I have stepped down as
president of the Foundation. My partner and I are relocating overseas on a fantastic
professional and personal adventure. The great news is that Dr. Heather Himes is a
dynamic, inspiring, and energetic president who will lead the Foundation in a great
direction. I will continue to support the Foundation in every way possible, regardless of
where I am in the world. Everyday, I review research and hear individual stories that
reaffirm the critical mission of the National GLBTQ Youth Foundation. I hope you will
join me in continuing to support this great organization.

Sincerely,

Kenneth D. Allen, PhD
Founder & Board Member

Links:

• Foundation Website