The Inside Scoop
January 2020
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Thank you for reading Youth Pride, Inc.'s January edition of
The Inside Scoop!
Within you will read about all the exciting new things happening at YPI such as our extened drop-in program and the kick-off of 2020's first OUTspoken program.
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YPI Expands Drop-In Program
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We're excited to announce that we've opened for an additional afternoon of programs and services for youth ages 14-23, as of January 24th! In addition to drop-in being open to youth Tuesday-Thursday, we are now open on Fridays from 2:30-8pm.
One of YPI's main programs is the Drop-In Center. During drop-in, youth are encouraged to utilize our space in whatever comfortable and respectful way they see fit. We have several video game consoles and two laptops with access to our Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify accounts. The kitchen is always stocked with snacks and easy to prepare meals (youth are supervised while cooking!). In addition to the many board games donated to us by Hasbro, we have a library filled with LGBTQ literature to be borrowed, and tons of arts and crafts supplies. The furniture in our space was donated by Cardi’s Furniture, and a lot of our youth enjoy lounging around chatting with friends, and making new acquaintances!
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For more information on our programs and services, as well as when we are open for youth, check out the calendar on our website!
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First OUTspoken Session of 2020
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If you're a youth looking to learn and discuss topics of race, sexuality, the environment/community and how they all influence one another, OUTspoken is the program for you! OUTspoken is YPI's leadership program that aims to equip youth with knowledge
about their different identities and how they can impact their community.
Beginning 2/13, OUTspoken will meet every Thursday at YPI from 4-6pm for eight weeks. The program is free and we provide snacks and RIPTA tickets to participants. Registration required; check out the application link below!
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February 14th marks a time for love and admiration, and it is no different at YPI. It has become a tradition of sorts to invite volunteers into our space each Valentine's Day to
Give Some Love to YPI
in the form of cleaning and tidying our space followed by a light breakfast.
This year we will be reaching out to our registered volunteers to assist us with this event. If you're interested in being part of something similar in the future, submit a volunteer form and we will add you to the list!
Currently YPI does not have open volunteering, we strictly reach out to registered volunteers when opportunities arise.
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*Events open to youth between the ages of 14-23, unless otherwise specified*
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YPI Gaming Tournament
Wednesday, 2/5: 5:30-7:30pm
Games will include Uno, Checkers, Super Smash Bros, Connect 4, Jenga, and more. Compete in brackets to win YPI prizes!
Give YPI Some Love
Friday, 2/14: 10:30am-12:30pm
Volunteer event during the morning to help clean up the space. Wellness activities for youth during drop-in.
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Free & Confidential HIV Testing
Wednesday, 2/19: 3-5pm
Facilitated by AIDS Project RI. OPen to youth up to the age of 23. No eating, drinking, tooth brushing, or flossing one hour before testing.
Meet and Greet with Beneficent Church
Wednesday, 2/26: 5-7pm
Youth are invited to join Brenda Westberry, Chair of the Justice and Witness Committee at Beneficent Church, along with members of the congregation for dinner. Food, games, prizes, and great conversation are on the menu.
15th Annual GSA Conference
at Classical High School
Saturday, 3/28: time TDB
Students and advisors for Gay-Straight Alliance clubs are invited to join us for a day of networking, lecturers, and presentations. The aim of this conference to help strengthen, sustain, or build GSAs in RI schools.
*Adults/advisors interested in attending the conference must register (coming soon!) ahead of time. For more information contact Tiffani Carcieri at Tiffani@youthprideri.org
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Monthly Spotlight
Tom Canterino
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YPI board member, Tom Canterino, was named in Forbes' 30 Under 30 List of Innovators! According to Forbes, this "
annual list chronicles the brashest entrepreneurs across the United States and Canada", and Tom certainly fits the bill.
Tom, who joined the YPI board of directors a year ago, is the co-founder of Ageless Innovation, a line of companion toy pets that helps ease the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older adults and seniors; especially those suffering from illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer's. Presently, over 100,000 customers have utilized Ageless Innovations' animals.
Congratulations, Tom! We're so proud of you!
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RI's First LGBT-Centered Health Clinic Opens
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Members of the LGBTQ community often encounter discrimination by healthcare providers either intentionally or through ignorance on the part of the provider. It doesn't help LGBTQ Rhode Islanders that we're one of thirteen states without a specific LGBTQ health clinic, pushing many people to seek medical assistance in Boston. This is all about to change in 2020.
Open Door Health (ODH)
has been in the making for over two years and is now scheduled to open in Providence this January! ODH is a nonprofit inclusive health clinic that makes
serving the LGBTQ population a core aspect of its mission.
The diverse staff at
Open Door Health
will all have previous experience working with the LGBTQ community and foster an inclusive and educated environment for its patients.
Open to everyone, not exclusivly LGBTQ identified individuals, the clinic will provide primary care, STD/STI testing (including PrEP prescriptions), and mental health services. A unique feature of
Open Door Health
is their payment policy; no one will be denied serve if they cannot afford payment. Executive Director, Dr. Amy Nunn, and Medical Director of the clinic, Dr. Philip Chan, are confident this clinic will provide much needed local medical assistance to the community in a straightforward and comfortable manner.
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Super Bowl 54 Features First Openly Gay NFL Coach
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Sunday, February 2nd marks the date for Super Bowl LIV (54)! The San Francisco 49ers will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs for the conclusion of the NFL's 100th season. This year will be the first time the 49ers and Chiefs face each other in a Superbowl, but that is not the biggest news surrounding the upcoming game; Katie Sowers is.
Katie Sowers has been the San Francisco 49ers' Offensive Assistant Coach since 2015 and now holds three accomplished titles; Sowers is the second woman to hold a full-time NFL coaching position, the first female coach at a Superbowl, and the first openly gay coach in the NFL. According to Sowers' Cameo, "Katie stands for gender equity and equality. Instead of trying to blend into her hyper-masculine environment, she embraces her status as a role model. She was named one of the most influential women in sports as well as being named on the bleacher report power 50."
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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
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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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