The Inside Scoop
November 2021
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Thank you for reading Youth Pride, Inc.'s November edition of The Inside Scoop! Within you will read about our executive director search, Queer Gourmet, the Talk Study, our new clinician, our Kitchen Drive and more!
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Youth Pride, Inc. officially hired it's 7th executive director on October 25th, 2021. More information on the new executive director will be coming out this month. Keep your eyes peeled for a press release and official statement! |
YPI is partnering with Dr. Jack Rusley from Hasbro Children's Hospital to recruit youth and parents for The Talk Study. The Talk Study is researching how youth and parents talk to each other about sexual health.
The study is looking for young people who were assigned male at birth and are age 14-17, as well as parents who have a child who was assigned male at birth and is anywhere between ages of 14-30. If you are eligible for the study and decide to participate, you will participate in a 1 hour interview with a member of Dr. Rusley's team and get a $40 Amazon gift card. Youth do not need their parents permission to be in the study.
If you are interested in participating, click on link below. In addition, you can email them at thetalkstudy@lifespan.org or call/text them at 401-321-4166.
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Our newest program, Queer Gourmet, happens every Tuesday from 5-7:30pm in our kitchen!
Each week YPI staff will teach a new recipe along with foundational cooking skills that will help youth make all their meals delish. After cooking we will package meals for participants to take home and to share with others. Staff will be able to answer all questions from ingredients to what is needed and where to get it.
Registration is required. Link below.
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Now that Queer Gourmet is up and running, YPI is looking for specific kitchen items to replace our old ones.
YPI is looking for:
Knives - kitchen, chefs and butcher
Cutting boards
Stainless steel cooking utensils
Stainless steel or other cookware that is NOT Teflon based
Medium sized pots
Sauce pans
Skillets (esp large ones)
Spatulas
Mixing bowls
Baking supplies
Bread/loaf pans
Baking/Casserole dishes (esp 9x13 - rectangle and 8x8 - square)
If you're interested in donating kitchen items, please email us at info@youthprideri.org.
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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
Kody Harrison
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YPI is so happy to welcome Kody as our new clinician! We offer our youth free one-on-one individual counseling sessions with our licensed clinicians throughout the week. If these services interest you, email Andy@youthprideri.org |
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Kody Harrison, LICSW – Clinician
They/ Them
Kody is a clinical social worker and is excited to provide individual counseling services at YPI! Kody has been passionate about working with and advocating for LGBTQ+ youth since they were a queer youth themself, as a peer facilitator of the LGBTQ+ youth group in Hartford, CT way back in 2010. They have worked with youth ever since in community-based, hospital, and residential treatment settings. They moved to Rhode Island in 2013 and love the beauty and diversity of their adopted state.
Kody has specialized training in multiple clinical approaches and evidence-based practices to help people manage strong and difficult feelings and unwanted or unsafe thoughts and behaviors, as well as complicated family relationships. Kody primarily works at Family Service of RI as a clinical supervisor for the in-home trauma treatment program. They often provide training and advocacy to schools, community agencies, and state systems (like DCYF) to promote understanding and support for trans and nonbinary youth.
When they’re not being a clinician, Kody loves walking their dog or listening to podcasts in their hammock.
Kody’s schedule is variable due to their daytime job, but generally they are available in the evenings. To make an appointment with Kody, speak with staff or email Kody directly at kody@youthprideri.org.
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New LGBTQ+ Youth Support Group in Newport! |
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LEAD (Love, Equity, Acceptance and Dreams) is the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center's LGBTQ+ support group for youth! LEAD was founded over the summer of 2021 and now meets every Wednesday from 3-5 p.m. in the upstairs art room at the center in Newport.
During these two hours, youth will receive airtime to discuss any struggles they might have experienced in the previous week as well as an opportunity to ask questions and support one another.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center is located at 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd, Newport, RI 02840. They can be reached at (401) 846-4828 or anovick@mlkccenter.org
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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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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. In addition to four weekly support groups, we offer an art program, leadership program, virtual Dungeons & Dragons, and more!
Our center is home to a Basic Needs Pantry, open to youth in need of food, clothing, toiletries, and school supplies. We also offer one on one counseling with in-house clinicians virtually and in person.
YPI 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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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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If you have a story you feel should be included in an upcoming newsletter, email Info@youthprideri.org |
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