Dear Julie,
As 2024 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact we’ve made together this year for LGBTQ+ youth – and share my deep gratitude to each of you for the ways you show up for queer and trans young people every day.
Having joined OUT MetroWest as Executive Director in June, I am proud and humbled by all that our small-but-mighty team has accomplished in just six short months. Since July, our staff has supported youth with over 100 programs, with weekly gatherings for middle and high school youth and monthly events for both elementary-age kids and young adults. They’ve hosted special events – such as our annual BBQ Bash for youth and families – spoken on panels, built partnerships with local schools and organizations, and led trainings for hundreds of individuals through our community education sessions.
As we look to 2025, we are preparing for the challenges ahead and the work to be done. The need for affirming, accessible spaces for LGBTQ+ youth continues to grow, and we remain committed to expanding our reach and ensuring that every LGBTQ+ youth in MetroWest who needs support can find it with us, at no cost.
If you have already made a donation this year – thank you. And if you have not yet made a gift this year, we hope you will consider a year-end donation to OUT MetroWest to ensure that more LGBTQ+ youth can access these vital programs, resources, and community. Whether you can make a one-time donation, a monthly recurring gift, or sign up to volunteer with us – you can create real impact for LGBTQ+ youth locally.
Together, we will continue creating a future where queer youth are empowered, supported, and celebrated. Thank you for your belief in our mission and for being a champion for LGBTQ+ youth.
With gratitude and joy,
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Mel Pace (they/she)
Executive Director
(Pace is pronounced pah-chay)
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Special Post-Election Drop-In
On Wednesday, November 8th, OUT MetroWest offered expanded programming for LGBTQ+ youth in middle and high school, providing additional opportunities for support and connection. We were joined by many youth–new and returners–and thanks to the hard work of our staff, everyone left with a smile on their face.
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“Not Just a Book Club” going strong!
Not-Just-a-Book Club began at youth request, held its first meeting in September 2023, and continues to showcase books and films chosen by our youth twice a month. The group has now met over 30 times, with no end in sight!
Books discussed include: The Color Purple (Walker), The House on the Cerulean Sea (Klune), Obie is Man Enough (Bailar), and the short story "Imagine a Pair of Boots" (Coyote). They've watched an Elmo feature of Sesame Street and the first episode of Arcane–and written a collaborative short story! Any middle/high school youth can join the conversation, whether or not they have read the book. Conversations take on a life of their own! The group is facilitated by beloved volunteer and OUT MetroWest co-founder Marie Caradonna, and meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 5:30 - 6:30 pm (and we have tea, too!).
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Gingerbread Making with Shine Families
This past weekend, OUT MetroWest youth and families joined us at the Wellesley Free Library for gingerbread house making. We had a blast making sugary creations with over 120 attendees!
To learn more about our monthly programs for elementary-age youth and families, Shine and Glow, click here!
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Museum of Science Visits with all ages!
On Sunday November 17th, 30 youth and families from Glow, our program for LGBTQ+ elementary age youth, enjoyed free tickets to explore the wonders of the Museum of Science together. And on December 7th, 8 middle and high school youth and 4 young adults gathered for their own museum outing, also at no cost to participants. Favorites included the sloth in the Survival of the Slowest temporary exhibit and the robotic dog, Spot!
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Summer BBQ Bash!
On Thursday, August 22, OUT MetroWest hosted our 3rd annual Summer BBQ Bash for youth and families! Over 75 youth, families, and volunteers joined us for an evening of music, connection, and outdoor fun.
Volunteers from KGA and Boston Scientific helped staff the bounce house and games, and BJ's Whole Sale Club sponsored a BBQ dinner for all who attended. Email lucy.sweeney@outmetrowest.org to learn how to sponsor future events like this and our Trivia Night in the spring!
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In case you missed it, our Year in Review highlighted program growth and improvements over the previous fiscal year, from July 2023 - June 2024, including:
- Doubling programs for transgender and non-binary youth
- Training 380+ individuals via our Community Education Sessions
- Adding 3 Adult Advisors and 3 Peer Leaders to the team
- Renovating our Parent and Caregiver space with a grant from Bright Horizons
With your support, we served over 350 youth and families in 2024 and were able to expand our Umbrella program for trans and non-binary youth, which is now open to both middle and high schoolers every Wednesday.
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Over 16K raised on Giving Tuesday!
Your outpouring of support helped us exceed our Giving Tuesday goal, raising a grand total of $16,867 to support queer youth!
Special thank you to the anonymous ally family in Natick for donating (and increasing!) the match. Thank you to everyone who gave to celebrate 13 years of free programming, and to ensure more LGBTQ+ youth have access to critical resources and a supportive community in the future.
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Help Raise $60K to Write the Next Chapter for LGBTQ+ youth!
At OUT MetroWest, we believe that every young person deserves the chance to write their own story—one filled with acceptance, support, and joy.
Thus far we've raised over $40,000 toward our end of year goal of $60,000. Your support is more than just a donation; it’s an investment in young people’s stories – and in the stories yet to be told.
There are many ways to make your tax-deductible contribution: giving online, mailing a check, donating stock, or giving through your donor advised fund.
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2024 Come OUT & Celebrate Gay-la | |
On Thursday, November 7, Over 250 community members and allies gathered for a night of connection, comradery, and fundraising for LGBTQ+ youth. Thanks to your generous support, we raised over $147,000 in critical funding to ensure OUT MetroWest continues offering free, supportive programming for LGBTQ+ youth, pre-k through age 29.
Zon Legacy Phoenix (pictured above) guided us through the evening and uplifted our spirits with a beautiful, high-energy performance. DJ Mocha set the mood and got us on the dance floor. A team of youth, staff, donors, and community members shared powerful stories about what OUT MetroWest has meant to them. And of course, our community showed up and showed OUT for LGBTQ+ youth. Thank you to everyone who sponsored this incredible night!
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LGBTQ+ History Month & Trans Day of Remembrance
October was LGBTQ+ history month, and OUT MetroWest staff and volunteers were in high demand, tabling at 11 events across MetroWest to spread the word about our programs! Thank you to everyone who organized these events and to the amazing volunteers who help make our outreach a success.
November 20th was Trans Day of Remembrance, and we gathered in community at four events—joining with Worcester Trans Day of Remembrance, UU Wayland and UU Framingham, and UU Needham to honor our transgender community members who are no longer with us, mourn the dead, and fight for the living.
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Upcoming: Get discounted tickets to the Connecticut Suns vs. Indiana Fever!
We are partnering with the Connecticut Suns WNBA team to offer our community discounted tickets!
Join us for Connecticut Suns vs. Indiana Fever on July 15th at 7pm at TD Garden in Boston! Our seats will be in the PINK zones. Discounted tickets ($85) are available through December 20th at 10am. Tickets are going FAST, and there are a limited number available. In the event the seats sell out and you already bought a ticket, we will refund you!
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We're hiring 1-2 Adult Advisors to support LGBTQ+ youth!
Core responsibilities include:
🩷Assist in planning and facilitating youth programs
🩷Act as a role model for LGBTQ+ youth attending programs
🩷Attend Quarterly Planning Meetings
🩷Opportunity for speaking engagements
Willingness to travel in MetroWest is a plus. $25/hour, in person, evening and weekend hours!
Interviews are on a rolling basis, so apply TODAY!
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Calling volunteers to help plan our annual fundraising events!
Looking to get involved in 2025? Join one of our volunteer event committees:
Spring Auction & Trivia Night Planning Committee
🌈Help plan/ organize Trivia Night
🌈Solicit items for auction
🌈Solicit event sponsors
🌈Meetings starting in January
Come OUT & Celebrate Gay-la Event Planning Committee
🌈Help plan/ organize Gay-la
🌈Solicit items for raffle
🌈Solicit event sponsors
🌈Meetings starting in March
Email Mel at mel.pace@outmetrowest.org to learn more and sign-up!
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OUT MetroWest recognizes the Agawam, Massachusett, Nipmuc, and Pawtucket nations, on whose traditional lands we deliver our programs. We acknowledge these Indigenous peoples as the past, present, and future caretakers of the land now known as the MetroWest Boston region. | | | | |