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GARDINER — Healthy Communities of the Capital Area is looking for organizations to partner on a project to increase summer programs for LGBTQ+ youth in Kennebec County.
Youth organizations report that they would like to engage more LGBTQ+ youth but don’t know how. Others have lost connections with LGBTQ+ youth because of COVID-19. The project, LGBTQ+ YeSS (LGBTQ+ Youth Experiencing Summer Supports, pulls together organizations that already serve youth to find tangible, doable, low-cost/no-cost ways to modify opportunities and reach more youth. It is funded by a $15,000 United Way of Kennebec Valley Innovation Grant.
“LGBT high school students are more than twice as likely to feel sad or hopeless, and almost four times more likely than their non-LGBT peers to seriously consider suicide,” said Joanne Joy, HCCA program manager. “Most have more support at school than when out-of-school, and very few LGBTQ+ specific activities or programs currently happen in the summer when mental health concerns and other risky behaviors are more likely to happen.”
Partners so far include libraries, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, recreation programs, and others who serve youth. They share their ideas with each other about what works to engage LGBTQ+ youth and brainstorm to collectively creative ideas.
OUT Maine will provide expertise on effectively engaging LGBTQ+ youth, and HCCA will do the behind-the-scenes organizing work and provide micro-grants to help get things started.
OUT Maine will provide free training via Zoom for all partners of the project at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9. Training will include using supportive language, why pronouns are important and guidance on developing strategies that work.
Representatives of organizations that would like to take part may Joy at j.joy@hccame.org or 207-588-5350. For more information, visit hccame.org.
