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My mom is on the Board of Directors for a GLBT Center and she has also recently been put in charge of all Youth Related Services and Activities. This is a brand new center and they don't allow gay kids under the age of 21 without a legal guardian. That is all about to change with my mom and the other board members are eager to get some GLBT kid's programs and activities started.
I would like YOUR suggestions for a WISH LIST of anything and everything you would like to see a GLBT center provide for gay kids. It can be anything from activities, to groups, to health related, to educational, recreational, coming out - whatever.
Please please respond. Just think back to when you were in highschool. If there had been a friendly neighborhood GLBT center nearby, what would you have liked? If you could have hung out there afterschool or on the week-end, what would you have liked?
I will post what she has on her wish list so far. She wants lots of imput so please participate and help her out.
Here is her wish list so far:
She says:
Of course, I want to talk with kids who will be coming into the center, and see what they need and what they want, and then make it happen.
THE WISH LIST:
Provide a safe, supportive, and confidential space in which youth ages 13-24 (or whatever ages everyone thinks is appropriate) can explore their feelings, learn communication skills, gain a sense of self-identity, and develop self-esteem.
Promote leadership development and skills building.
Address prevention issues related to HIV/AIDS, STD's, and substance abuse, through group discussion, youth-to-youth outreach and education, and mentoring.
Offer vocational and career assessment and counseling.
Assemble and provide a list of scholarships available specifically for GLBT kids by many organizations in the country.
Offer free, confidential HIV testing .
Include social programming, such as Youth Prom, talent shows, and holiday celebrations.
Provide a place for young people to meet others, have fun, participate in special events, talk, and make friends.
Provide opportunities for art and writing projects including filming and spoken word.
Provide education about activism. Provide opportunities for youth activism. Provide education about gay history, gay rights, and the legal discrimination faced by gay people in this state and this country.
Provide guest speakers, authors, entertainers, etc. of interest to GLBT kids.
Some possible programs that I would like to see happening include the following:
1.After school homework area available mon-fri from 3:00 until 6:00 or whenever - this could be as simple as a couple tables and chairs in the back room. Ideally I would love to find a gay/lesbian/gay friendly teacher or two from the area who would agree to come in from time to time as a volunteer if needed.
2.Afterschool cyber center set aside exclusively for GLBT kids for a couple hours mon-fri. I know this might be a problem for the adults but most other GLBT centers offer an afterschool youth cyber center and I think it is important.
Post a list of on-line sites that provide things of interest geared toward GLBT Youth - news, health issues, music, fun things, politics, coming out info, etc. there are a million of these and I would appreciate all suggestions and submit a list for approval. any additions would be subject to approval from the board. Have copies of the list available so kids could take them home.
3. If there is interest by enough kids, a young man's night and on a different day, a young woman's night. This would be an social get together where they can talk about anything they want, no holds barred. The kids themselves can decide to make it as structured or informal as they want. We provide adult supervision and help get the conversation started (if needed) - otherwise adults remain in the background and let them interact and talk about whatever they want.
4. A saturday afternoon program with a scheduled activity which would encourage kids to interact with one another, speak in public, and develop self-esteem. some suggestions: art projects, writing projects, leadership training exercises, leadership development, self-expression, role-playing, games and projects. life skills, computer skills, field trips, etc.
This would require a volunteer who can teach one of these specific activities and who would be willing to come in on a specific saturday to act as leader for that session. There is a LOT of talent and skill in the community so why not share it with our kids. This would be very enriching for both the kids and the volunteer.
We could have on-line sign-up sheets which we could post on the web site.
5. A group monthly meeting (to be named by the kids) for kids who are thinking about coming out, who want to talk about their experience in coming out or being out. Peers helping peers with their own experiences and advice. It would be nice to have a student leader take charge of this group, maybe someone from the University or one of the GSA's. It would be an opportunity to share and ask questions about their personal feelings, thoughts and concerns regarding their sexual orientation. They would be treating coming out as a life-long process, speaking OUT on issues that will assist them in becoming Out and Proud
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I would like to hear from everyone, so if you would like to forward this to anyone or post it on another board, please do.
I'm really excited about the possibilities and the opportunities for us as adults, to help area GLBT kids have a richer, happier life.
Please post all your suggestions, advice, and ideas.
Lets do this!
Thank you for your time.
~Gloria
"If you're born a lion, don't bother trying to act tame."
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