The Inside Scoop
August 2021
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Thank you for reading Youth Pride, Inc.'s August edition of The Inside Scoop! Within you will read about our two new job postings, the Leonard-Litz Foundation, the bill signing held at YPI, a new LGBTQ+ mural in Providence, and more!
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News From the
Executive Director
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Elana Rosenberg has dedicated nine years of service to Youth Pride, Inc. Working as the Gender-Sexuality Alliance Coordinator for five years and then returning for another four as Executive Director, Elana has truly made Rhode Island a better place for LGBTQ+ youth.
It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Elana as she continues her adventure working with LGBTQ+ youth in Kentucky, closer to her family. While we will deeply miss her, we are also excited to see her grow and will always consider her YPI family!
You can read Elana's statement at the link below.
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YPI is seeking part time, fee for service, clinicians to provide mental health counseling services 2-5 hours a week! Applicants must be a Licensed and Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), or masters-level or above clinician and demonstrate experience/education providing therapy to LGBTQ+ youth. Schedule is flexible. Read the full job posting and how to apply below!
We are also seeking to hire a full time Executive Director with an anticipated start date in October 2021. The full job description can be read at the link below.
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On Wednesday, July 28th 2021 Governor Daniel McKee signed two progressive LGBTQ+ related bills at Youth Pride, Inc.
Bill H5741, the Gender Inclusive Restroom Act, requires all single-stall restrooms in public buildings/place of public accommodations in the state of Rhode Island to be gender neutral (accessible to anyone). Not only does this help LGBTQ+ folks, is also benefits families, those with disabilities, and those with opposite sex caregivers.
Bill H6215, The RI Fair Housing Practice Act, reduces RI housing discrimination against LGBTQ+ tenants by landlords in owner owned properties.
Prior to the bill signing, a speaking portion included statements from Governor Dan McKee along with the bill sponsors Rep. John Edwards, Sen. Melissa Murray, Sen. Meghan Kallman, and Rep. Edith Ajello. Additional speakers included Galen Auer the Co-Founder of LGBTQ Action RI, and Monique Pail the Board Vice President of TGI Network.
We are so proud of our community for putting in the hard work to create and advocate for these bills. YPI is also honored to be the location of the bill signing.
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Racial Equality Resources
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YPI stands with youth of color and are committed to deepening racial equality within our organization and our work. We will provide resources in our newsletter to continually educate, mobilize, and engage our readers in racial justice matters.
This week is the eight year anniversary of Black Lives Matter (BLM) taking form! Check out the link below to hear from BLM's former Executive Director about the organizations beginnings.
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Are you really missing drop-in hours? Need someone to talk to? Are you experiencing crisis? Have concerns, fears or mental health needs that you need to express to someone? Here are a couple of resources for you that were compiled by YPI staff. |
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Essential Resources During COVID-19
Other Resources from YPI
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Monthly Spotlight
Leonard-Litz LGBTQ Foundation
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Launched in December 2020, The Leonard-Litz LGBTQ Foundation is a new organization based in Fairfield, Connecticut that seeks to fund programs and services that directly benefit the lives of LGBTQ+ people.
YPI is honored to have received a generous donation from the Leonard-Litz LGBTQ Foundation earlier this month. Their donation allows us to continue offering programs and services to LGBTQ+ youth in Rhode Island; including our individual, one-on-one counseling services and case management services, which are always free to our youth.
In addition to providing grants for direct mental health services aimed at LGBTQ+ youth, Leonard-Litz also funds crisis intervention, racial justice, social connection, and community outreach programs that have an LGBTQ+ lens.
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YPI can help youth with food insecurity, mental health worries, GED help, and so much more through case management with our Director of Youth Services, Andy Taubman. Our two clinicians, Molly Heller, LICSW, and Jess Peters, PhD Licensed Psychologist, also provide one on one, one hour counseling sessions virtually and in person. More clinicians will be joining our team soon. If counseling or case management are of interest to you, please email us at info@youthprideri.org. |
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Crisis Hotline For and By Trans Individuals |
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Trans Lifeline is a trans-led grassroots 501c3 non-profit organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive. They also started and operate the USA's first trans suicide hotline! They are based out of Oakland, California.
All operators are trans or nonbinary identified and trained in "No nonconsensual active rescue" meaning 911, emergency services, or law enforcement will not be contacted during or after your call. Operators will not ask for your identity or any identifying information.
Also, according to their site they "don’t define what a crisis is & isn’t, and you don’t need to be in crisis to call. Call us for any reason. You deserve support."
The number for the hotline is 1(877)565-8860
Operators are guaranteed to be on call during the following hours:
- Hawaii: 5a – 12a
- Alaska: 6a – 1a
- Pacific: 7a – 2a
- Mountain: 8a – 3a
- Central: 9a – 4 a
- Eastern: 10a – 5a
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New LGBTQ Mural Created in Providence |
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Brian Kenny is a multidisciplinary artist who has shown their work in the USA, Canada, Russia, Israel, and several places in Europe.
Commissioned by Open Door Health and The Avenue Project, Kenny began planning for the mural. The mural is being painted on the side of Open Door Health, Rhode Island's first LGBTQ+ health clinic, located at 7 Central St. in Providence. The 1,700 square-foot mural has 15 faces of different, prominent Rhode Islanders (along with a few national icons) on a backdrop of pink, white, and blue; giving a nod to the transgender flag. Just some of the individuals in the mural include: Chris Harris, the late co-owner of Club EGO, one of Providence's LGBTQ scenes; Elle Moxley, the co-founder of Black Lives Matters Network and director of the Marsha P. Johnson Institute; and Richie DeFilippo, the 2021 winner of Mr. Gay World Rhode Island.
You can read more about the mural project and Brian Kenny himself at the links below.
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Mission:
Youth Pride, Inc. is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of youth and young adults impacted by sexual orientation and gender identity/expression while working to end the homophobic and transphobic environments in which they live, work and play.
Values:
LEADERSHIP: YPI is committed to creating the leaders of today. Youth voices drive our process, and we seek to develop the leadership skills necessary both within the organization and outside of it.
AFFIRMATION: YPI believes all youth must be affirmed for who they are and how they express themselves. We are committed to making that a reality in all of the environments in which young people live.
COMMUNITY: YPI believes building strong connections is essential to youth success and empowerment. We strive to create a caring, respectful and diverse community of young people and adults.
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Your tax-deductible donation helps YPI continue to do the important work we do in accordance to our mission. Your gift would be directly investing in our state's LGBTQ+ youth so that they may have a chance to share their gifts and light with the world. |
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Our Programs and Services |
Youth Pride, Inc. serves over 700 Rhode Island LGBTQ+ youth and their straight allies a year through a variety of programs and services.
Our Center, located on Westminster Street in Providence, primarily serve as a drop-in and programming space, and is currently open to youth ages 13 to 23 on Tuesday and Wednesday from 3-8pm and Thursday from 3 to 5. Youth ages 9 to thirteen are welcome at our exclusive 13 and under drop-in time on Thursdays from 5-8 pm. All YPI Center services and activities are free to youth. YPI youth get to attend events, workshops, cultural, educational, social, and wellness activities at YPI and around the state.
Our center is home to a Basic Needs Pantry, open to youth in need of food, clothing, toiletries, and school supplies. We offer one on one counseling with in-house clinicians. Our clinicians facilitate and supervise three peer-support groups.
YPI also offers support to those who work with youth through policy and advocacy, and by providing professional development workshops and technical assistance to service providers and educators.
For more information on getting involved with YPI as a volunteer or if you or someone you know is in need of our services, contact info@youthprideri.org
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If you have a story you feel should be included in an upcoming newsletter, email Info@youthprideri.org |
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