The Inside Scoop
April 2020
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Thank you for reading Youth Pride, Inc.'s April edition of
The Inside Scoop!
YPI staff and clinicians really miss seeing all of our youth throughout the week and hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. In this edition, you will read about all the ways you can stay connected to YPI and utilize our essential services during this time of social distancing. We also have a list of resources that we believe will be useful; from remote resources for youth at home, to the hotlines anyone can call for support.
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Premade Basic Needs Pantry Bags Available for Pick-Up
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Although YPI's drop-in programs are suspended until further notice, youth can still access our Basic Needs Pantry. For the foreseeable future, we will be offering youth in our age range a premade bag of food and toiletries that they can pick up through a scheduled appointment.
Each bag of pantry supplies will come stocked with at least one type of grain (pasta, rice, etc.), two canned vegetables, one canned beans, two canned soups, and a few miscellaneous nonperishable food items. When scheduling your appointment, you will have the opportunity to request certain toiletries and other essentials such as socks, hats, menstrual products, safer sex supplies, hair products, etc.
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We will be in our space for scheduled premade bag pickups Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:30am-2:30pm and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30pm-5:30pm. Staff follow rigorous guidelines for maintaining proper sanitization habits while preparing and handing off the bags. To schedule an appointment, shoot us a Facebook message or fill our our Pantry Request Form!
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Virtual Programs and Services Coming Soon!
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Social distancing doesn't mean being cut off from YPI programs and services. Starting this month, several of YPI's staple programs will be available to youth online!
OUTspoken
, YPI's leadership program, will happen live each Thursday at 4pm on Zoom with YPI Center Coordinator, Jesus Holguin.
Zoom
is a remote conferencing service that is free to join. For more information about
OUTspoken
or how to sign up, email Jesus at [email protected].
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Gender Spectrum,
our peer led discussion group for gender nonconforming and trans youth, and
The Way Out
, our general LGBTQ discussion group, are now on YPI's Discord server!
Discord
is a free online platform that allows individuals to text and voice chat in real time; the program can be accessed via phone, tablet, or computer. YPI's Discord server is privat and heavily moderated to ensure the safety, confidentiality, and wellbeing of our youth users. To request access to YPI's Discord server or for more information about our discussion groups, email our Group Facilitator, Lukas Máni Hawthorne , at [email protected].
Gender Spectrum
will happen live on Discord every Tuesday at 4pm. More information on when
The Way Out
goes live will be announced soon.
Over the last several months, members of
The Imagination Guild
have hosted weekly Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) events at YPI. Whether you're brand new to the game, or a veteran player, they always offered something for everyone to enjoy. Members from The Imagination Guild have gladly agreed to host D&D sessions through YPI's Discord! Times are still to be determined. For updates, email Center Coordinator, Dev Devine, at [email protected].
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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
Rhode Island Pride
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Rhode Island Pride has gone above and beyond with their contribution to meeting the needs of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. To assist members of the RI community adhere to social distancing — avoiding unnecessary travel and maintaining at least a six foot distance between yourself and anyone outside your household — RI Pride has set up an emergency mobil supply drive. Volunteers deliver food, toiletries and sanitation items Monday through Friday to Rhode Islanders that submit a request.
To date, the drive's 38 volunteers have completed over 320 hours of work between gathering and sanitizing supplies, putting together bags, and making deliveries; more than 1,100 individuals have received a delivery from the RI Pride Supply Drive. Additionally, more than $5,000 in funds have been raised from individual donors to help sustain the initiative.
If you would like to donate to the drive or request a delivery, check out the link below!
Thank you, Rhode Island Pride for all your compassion and dedication during this hard time.
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Fenway Health Outlines How LGBTQ Individuals are More at Risk for COVID-19 Complications
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Last week
The Fenway Institute of Fenway Health published a policy brief that discussed how members of the LGBTQ communitty amd those living with HIV/AIDS may be at higher risk of developing
complications should they contract COVID-19.
According to the brief, "LGBT people are more likely to have chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. Lesbian and bisexual women are more likely than heterosexual women to be overweight or obese. There is also emerging research about higher rates of sedentarism, pre-diabetes, and diabetes among LGBTQ youth, which could lead to diabetes later in life. LGBT older adults experience higher rates of disability than heterosexual, cisgender elders. LGBT people are also more likely to smoke, vape, and to use substances. All of these conditions and risk behaviors could increase the vulnerability of LGBTQIA+ people if they are exposed to SARS- CoV-2, the coronavirus".
The brief also identifies a few other factors that may contribute to higher vulnerability in LGBTQ communitties. LGBTQ identified individuals are more likely "to work in the food service, restaurant, and entertainment sectors"; leaving them now jobless or working directly with the general public through takeout/delivery. Many people in the community, and other marginalized groups, also face discrimination or hostility in healthcare, so these individuals are less likely to participate in regular check-ups or follow up on existing medical problems.
We would like to remind everyone that Rhode Island is home to many accepting and inclusive healthcare facilities that would be happy to answer your questions and see you as a patient. Open Door Health is RI's newest, and first, healthcare clinic designed specifically for LGBTQ individuals. They are located in Providence. Thundermist Health Centers also provide inclusive healthcare at all four of their locations across the state.
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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 [email protected]
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If you have a story you feel should be included in an upcoming newsletter, email [email protected]
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