The Inside Scoop
October 2021
Thank you for reading Youth Pride, Inc.'s October edition of The Inside Scoop! Within you will read about YPI Resource Drop-In, Dassault's Day of Service, two October fundraisers, The Talk Study and more!
Resource Drop-In Wednesdays
Resource Drop-In welcomes youth (23 and under) to drop by our space every Wednesday from 2:30-5pm to access some of our services.

During Resource Drop-In youth can shop our Basic Needs Pantry (food, toiletries, school supplies, clothes), participate in food prep, chat with a social worker, get resources, and/or just enjoy a warm, dry place to hang with WIFI and charging stations.

No need to call or email ahead of time, just drop by! If there is a high influx of youth, you may be asked to wait a few minutes outside until those inside are set.
The Talk Study
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. Dr. Rusley 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, email them at thetalkstudy@lifespan.org, or call/text them at 401-321-4166. 
Day of Service - Cooking for YPI
Employees from Dassault Systèmes volunteered to cook meals for YPI youth during their annual statewide day of volunteering on September 17.

This is the fourth consecutive year Dassault employees have chosen YPI as their location of service. This year, the employees prepared a whole menu of items including: chicken and tuna salad sandwiches, veggie platters, salads, and corn bread! These meals were easily divided into individual plates and distributed to our youth.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication, Dassault!
Conference Room Dedication
In September, Youth Pride, Inc. became home to the Dr. C. Teal Donabella-Pedlow Conference Room.

Dr. Donabella-Pedlow was a an LGBTQ+ advocate and donor. Their contributions to YPI have allowed us to continue offering the crucial programs and services needed to best serve the LGBTQ+ youth population of Rhode Island.

A small Conference Room Dedication Ceremony was live streamed right from YPI on September 16th with Dr. Donabella-Pedlow's family from both the east and west coast in attendance.

YPI is glad to have shared the afternoon with the Donabella and Pedlow families. We hope this small gesture further emphasizes our gratitude and appreciation for Teal and her family!
YPI Resources
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.
Monthly Spotlight
La Noche and Stacie Venagro Fitness
Two fundraising events are happening in October that are benefiting YPI. We want to extend a huge thank you to both La Noche and Stacie Venagro Fitness for thinking of YPI during LGBTQ History Month.

La Noche is an inclusive monthly dance social. Open dances are held throughout the year on holiday weekends and Bachata (and other) dance lessons are offered weekly. On October 10, La Noche is hosting a Costume Dance Social with proceeds being donated to YPI in honor of LGBTQ history month. The event runs from 8pm-2am at Alchemy, 171 Chestnut St. in Providence.
Stacie Venagro Fitness, located at 161 Macklin St. in Cranston, is hosting a Drag Queen Workout at noon on October 9th. Get amped for a great workout with Miss. Britney Fierce and Miss. Justus Starr, two beautiful drag queens. Proceeds from the class will benefit YPI.
Switzerland Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
Joining many of it's companions in western Europe, Switzerland legalized same-sex marriage on September 26, 2021.

The September federal referendum allowed citizens to vote on a change to the Swiss Civil Code that would legalize same-sex marriage; the initiative was called Marriage for All. The votes were overwhelmingly supportive with 64.1% of voters (1.8 million people) in favor of the change. All 26 cantons of Switzerland had the majority of voters voting for the measure.
Our Mission
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.
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
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.
If you have a story you feel should be included in an upcoming newsletter, email Info@youthprideri.org