Inspire 1,000's of LGBT youth & allies in CT & US

We are so grateful to you. 

You make so many moments possible. Much of the work we do with students is unfunded, except through donations from generous people like you. Consider:

• Melissa, our youth activities coordinator, was meeting with a group of youth at an event in New Haven. She started to tell them about our annual conference but got interrupted by kids who wanted to tell their own stories about the conference. Turns out, they had all gone to a workshop called, “I’m Beautiful, Dammit”. They connected with each other there and created their own Facebook group -- they haven’t seen each other for a year, but they stay connected and engaged and can’t wait for the 2016 conference when they can see each other again face-to-face. Donations like yours made the scholarships several of those youth attended on, possible.

• During the last quarter of the year, True Colors and one of their interns began working with individuals, organizations and agencies in the Bridgeport area of CT to try to develop some programs for LGBT youth in that area. Although there are programs 30 minutes away, they might as well be in another country for Bridgeport kids without transportation. We hosted our first group last Friday with 8 youth. One middle schooler said, “My parents are trying but they don’t get me. They want me to just ‘choose’ like, be a lesbian or something. I didn’t know that there were other people who could understand that that it isn’t about who I like. It’s about me. I am not just a girl or just a boy. I am a little of both.” The first and third Fridays of every month will offer a free social and recreational program for LGBTQ youth in Bridgeport in locations that are on bus lines and easy to get to. Last year, we helped create programs in Waterbury. After Bridgeport, we are headed to Litchfield. None of this work is grant supported. It all comes from you. We couldn’t do this work without you.

• Yesterday, we hosted our annual youth in the mentoring program holiday party. The theme was rainbow reading. Every youth got a book donated to us by an LGBT author. They also received special gifts designed to help them create new memories: live theater and live concert tickets, museum admissions, activities gift cards. All of those gifts were donated by individuals like you. People who care about the next generation and want to make the world a better place for them…

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Wishing you and yours the happiest and healthiest of New Year’s. You are a blessing to us and the youth we serve.

Robin McHaelen, MSW
Executive Director

Links:

• A story about some of our supporters & the difference they make