The Inside Scoop
January 2022
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Happy New Year!
Thank you for reading Youth Pride, Inc.'s January edition of The Inside Scoop! Within you will read about our holiday event, new additions to our Basic Needs Pantry, the new GSA Coordinator job posting, our call for new Board of Directors members, and more!
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Due to the generosity of our volunteers, YPI's Winter Holiday Meal Event was a great success! Last month we were able to put together 68 meals for 18 families around the state of RI. A variety of presents were also gifted to the youth in these families. Between the hot meals and the gifts, we hope this event brought a little extra festivity to the season for these youth and their families. |
We would like to extend a special thank you to The Weiner Family for donating the gifts (and some amazing specialty desserts!), Hasbro employees for wrapping the gifts, and our volunteers for both preparing and delivering meals.
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We are hiring a part time Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Coordinator to join our team starting in February! Also known as Gay-Straight Alliances, GSAs are student-run organizations in middle and high schools that bring LGBTQ+ students and their allies together to build community and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities. Our GSA Coordinator will help build and sustain GSAs in school around the state as well as provide LGBTQ+ educational trainings.
Visit our website, or the link below, to read the job description and learn how to apply!
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On Monday, 1/10 from 5-7pm, YPI and the RI Student Assistance Services are hosting a workshop, SOS: Signs of Suicide, for high school aged youth between the ages of 14-18 to educate them about the relationship between suicide and depression, recognize the signs in themselves and others, and learn what to do next. All youth participants will receive a $20 Amazon gift card for attending! Register at the link below! |
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Gender Affirming Garments |
Chest binders and other gender affirming garments are a popular request we get from youth shopping through our Basic Needs Pantry. This month we have restocked our pantry with binders of multiple colors and sizes from gc2b. Gaffs from Origami Customers are in transit to our pantry.
Youth interested in gender affirming garments can shoot an email to info@youthprideri.org. We also strongly recommend reading through our Chest Binding 101 information sheet as proper binding is important for your health.
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Join the YPI Board of Directors! |
Did you make a resolution to get more involved in the community this year? Are you looking for a way to expand your network and do your part to make RI a better place for LGBTQ+ youth? Then consider joining YPI's Board of Directors!
A virtual information session for all those who are interested will be announced soon. In the meanwhile, please review our YPI Board Application linked below and email a completed copy to info@youthprideri.org if interested in moving forward!
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Looking for a good book to curl up with?
Here are our staff picks for great Queer and Trans friendly books to cozy up with this winter!
The Witch Boy (Young Adult)- Molly Ostertag
The House on the Cerulean Sea (Young Adult)- TJ Klune
Robber Girl (Young Adult) - S.T. Gibson
Zami: A new Spelling of My Name (Adult Nonfiction)- Audre Lorde
Tipping the Velvet (Adult Fiction) - Sarah Waters
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*During the month of January,
we will not be having in-person programing.
Resource drop-in will still be available Wednesdays*
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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
Paola Mejía
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Paola Mejía
She/Her
Group Facilitator
Paola@youthprideri.org
Joining us in early December, Paola is our newest staff member! Although new to staff, Paola is not new to YPI. For several years Paola has been an active YPI youth in our drop-in space; she was also a YPI youth Board Member and frequently spoke on panels and other events representing YPI. Paola now co- facilitates Mostrando Orgullo, our new Queer Latinx youth group. If you're interested in joining Mostrando Orgullos, shoot her an email; the group meets Wednesdays from 5-6pm either in our drop-in space or via zoom. The group is open to those who speak Spanish or Spanglish- complete fluency is not required!
Currently, Paola is a full time college student, likes spending time with her two dogs, and playing The Sims or Animal Crossing.
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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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