The Inside Scoop
April 2022
Made possible by YOU!
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Thank you for reading Youth Pride, Inc.'s April edition of The Inside Scoop! Within you will read about 401Gives Day, our extended resource drop-in hours, the first annual YPI Spaghetti Dinner, the We Are ALL Readers event, and more!
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401 Gives Day (4/01/22) is Rhode Island's largest day of statewide philanthropy! Nonprofit organizations contribute to the overall positive wellbeing and climate of communities, and 401 Gives day is an opportunity to give back to these institutions.
We hope you will consider donating to Youth Pride, Inc. this Friday. Your donation will directly contribute to making RI a safer place for LGBTQ+ youth by supporting one-on-one mental health counseling and case management services, our Basic Needs Pantry, leadership development trainings, and our wide variety of in-person and virtual programming.
You can make a donation on our 401 Gives Day page linked below. All donations are also tax-deductible.
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YPI will be tabling at the upcoming We Are ALL Readers Book Festival on 4/9! Stop by our table to get information, resources, and YPI swag.
We Are ALL Readers is a concept and event that celebrates diversity in children's literature. The festival will run from April 4-8, with a big in-person event on April 9 at North Kingstown High School. The in-person event will offer story-times and talks by a diverse lineup of award-winning children’s book authors and illustrators. There will also be hands-on art, writing, and book activities for kids, a pop-up bookstore by Wakefield Books, and information tables hosted by local community health and education groups.
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Extended Resource Drop-In |
Resource Drop-In times have expanded to include Tuesday and Thursday afternoons! During Resource Drop-In youth 23 and under can access our Basic Needs Pantry for food, clothes, toiletries and/or school supplies; prepare food in our kitchen; chat with a social worker; use our Wi-Fi and/or charging stations.
Resource Drop-In:
Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-6pm
Wednesdays 2:30-8pm
743 Westminster St. Providence RI 02903
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First Annual Spaghetti Dinner! |
YPI Friends, Family, and other supporters are invited to join us for YPI's First Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser! The dinner is happening Monday, April 4th from 6-8pm in our space at 743 Westminster St. in Providence. The menu includes green salad, garlic bread (GF option as well), spaghetti sauce (vegetarian), spaghetti noodles (GF option as well), and dessert. We will have music, raffles, tours, and plenty of opportunities to meet other YPI families. |
There is a suggested donation of $5-25 that we can take at the door or via PayPal. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Please register at the link below!
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Monthly Spotlight
Zoe Armstrong
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YPI would like to both highlight and introduce our newest hires to the YPI community! Sy Bedrick is our new Center Coordinator; they will oversee our drop-in space, programming, and volunteer efforts. Joe Di Mauro is YPI's Grant Writer; he will help YPI's meet out financial goals. |
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Sy Bedrick, they/them
Center Coordinator
Sy moved to Providence in the summer of 2020 from Brooklyn, NY, and has enjoyed getting to know the communities here as folks find ways to safely gather and support one another. Sy earned a BFA at New York University for theatrical directing, and a certificate of Master of Make-Up Artistry from Make-Up Designory. They worked as a special effects makeup artist for many years in film and television, but refocused to community education and mental health support work after moving to Providence.
Sy has always been happiest in queer spaces and is thrilled to be helping facilitate the welcoming environment at Youth Pride. When they’re not working with community orgs, Sy can be found frolicking through the woods, or creating experimental queer theater with their theater group, Water House Collective.
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Joe Di Mauro, he/him
Grant Writer
Joe currently lives in Boston but is originally from Warwick Rhode Island. His experience in the non-profit sector has spanned over the last 10 years beginning as an intern for Marriage Equality Rhode Island back in 2012. When he's not raising money for causes that matter, he's probably hiking, traveling, rock climbing, or enjoying time with friends. Joe is also back in school pursuing a degree in Software Engineering!
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Rhode Islanders Prepare for Anti-Trans Legislature |
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In response to anti-trans legislation introduced in Rhode Island last month Youth Pride, Inc., LGBTQ+ Action RI, and TGI Network of RI facilitated the Trans & Non-Binary Community Circle to Heal, Teach & Plan for Action in RI; a workshop that made folks aware of the legislation, what was at stake, and what can be done to contest the bills. Linked below is the presentation, notes, resources & next steps for anyone interested in learning more.
To stay up to date on recent developments, keep an eye on our social media pages and the social media pages of our co-facilitators.
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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. All YPI Center services and activities are free to youth and include a leadership development program, several support groups, a Spanish speaking group, and various social groups such as virtual Dungeons & Dragons.
Our center is home to a Basic Needs Pantry, open to youth in need of food, clothing, toiletries, and school supplies. To pick up a premade bag of items, click the Pantry button below.
In addition to free one on one counseling with licensed clinicians. we also provide case management services for youth facing challenging times. For more information on either of these services, email Andy@youthprideri.org
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. Below is a button to our training request form.
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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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