Coming Out Day Breakfast Wins High Praise!

If you missed the ninth annual Coming Out Day Breakfast on October 16th, you were among only a few JASMYN friends and supporters who were not there. A sell-out crowd of more than 400 - our largest crowd ever! - attended the fundraising event that celebrates businesses and corporations that affirm 
healthy, diverse workplaces that include LGBT employees.
 
This year's keynote speaker was Kevin B. Jennings, Executive Director of the Arcus Foundation and former Assistant Secretary of Education in the Obama administration. Jennings is also the founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), a national education organization tackling anti-LGBT bias in U.S. schools, which he led for 18 years. Jennings, a noted author and speaker, struck a chord with the audience when he cited some national facts about challenges facing LGBT people. He also had high praise about many of JASMYN's programs, indicating that we serve as a model for other LGBT youth-serving agencies around the country. 

It was a thrill for everyone at JASMYN to recognize Dr. Paul Schilling and Dr. James Dutton with the Diamond Award, JASMYN's highest honor. As you probably know, these two amazing gentlemen bought and donated "JASMYN 2" to us last fall, allowing us to expand our campus to better service our youth and expand our STI clinic. They have become cherished friends and dedicated supporters of our organization.

We greatly appreciate the three major financial institutions that were the primary sponsors of this year's event: Citi, Wells Fargo and Deutsche Bank. In addition, the Breakfast is made possible, in large part, thanks to the Delores Barr Weaver Endowed $10,000 Event Grant Fund established in 2015.

We urge you to watch the new JASMYN video, Raising Our Voices, that premiered at the Breakfast, and share it with your colleagues. Thanks to everyone for their steadfast support of  JASMYN!

To see photos of the award-winning local businesses honored this year, click here.


wells fargo


Join JASMYN for a Gathering in  Gratitude
919 King Street 

Please join the JASMYN board and staff as we celebrate the accomplishments of our youth, and the generosity of our supporters and volunteers! 

Sponsored by Wells Fargo, JASMYN's Gathering in Gratitude will be held on Saturday, November 7th at the Bottega di Bella Sera. Special thanks to Liz Grenamyer for the amazing space and fare, and Dr. Barry Stevens, DDS for sponsoring the valet service!

Gather with us to recognize an incredible year, connect with JASMYN youth, JASMYN alumni and our community of friends and volunteers. We have a lot in store for 2016 and we want you to be the first to know!

This celebration is free but RSVPs are requested.
Upcoming Events

Community Conversations with the Mayor: Mayor Lenny Curry has announced a series of public townhall meetings on the Human Rights Ordinance, and we need your help! The Mayor needs to hear from everyone who supports an updated Human Rights Ordinance that offers protections for LGBT people in Jacksonville. We need to show that we have broad public support if we want to pass the HRO. Please sign up below to join us and raise your voices supporting a fully-inclusive HRO in Jacksonville. The session on November 17th focuses on Supporting the Needs and Well-Being of Youth & Families - 6 PM
FSCJ Downtown Campus - 501 W. State Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Sign up for this session or others in the series and let your voice be heard!

World AIDS Day/Giving Tuesday: This year, two important days collide on Tuesday, December 1st. After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday has taken on a life of its own as a day of giving to nonprofits and charitable organizations around the country. This year, Giving Tuesday falls on World Aids Day--a double reason to support JASMYN and the critical work we are expanding to help stem the fast-moving tide of HIV and AIDS among the youth of our community.  

Teaching Respect for All: This day-long series of educational sessions and workshops will provide counselors, social workers, current and prospective school teachers,  and administrators with the knowledge and tools to successfully create a school culture where all people, including LGBT people, are respected, free to express themselves and able to reach their full potential.
When: Friday, January 16, 2015 (DCPS Teacher Planning Day)
Where: UNF Herbert Center, 12000 Alumni Drive
Time: 7:30 AM registration/light breakfast; program 8 AM - 2 PM
Cost: Free, but pre-registration is required (includes Lunch and resource packet)


We Appreciate Our Sponsors



  


JASMYN | [email protected] | 904-389-3857 | www.jasmyn.org 
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