YES, we can!
Community involvement, teamwork, and networking for youth
by Aleise Cowsert
Special to the Gayly
In recent years there has been an outcry for the country’s LGBT youth. Through the media spotlight we have seen many young lives destroyed by hate, bullying, and violence. Organizations like the It Gets Better Project help give today’s youth hope and promise for a better future.
While these national organizations have done amazing work to inspire youth, there has been a need for refuge and support of LGBT youth on a local scale.
Oklahoma City non-profit “Be the Change” (BTC) has identified this need and has decided to do its part. “YES,” or Youth Equality Services, is a youth-lead, adult-supported group that provides community support to LGBT and marginalized youth, ages 13 to 20. YES provides a safe, affirming, alcohol/drug free environment and models positive adult behaviors to foster healthy development in our youth. As the community’s newest LGBT youth group, YES hopes to make a big impact on the lives of our youth.
"Be The Change is proud to partner with Cimarron Alliance to offer support services to LGBT Youth in the Oklahoma City area. Be The Change is a non-profit agency dedicated to meeting the needs of those in our community who are vulnerable and marginalized,” said Jonathan Roberts, BTC Executive Director. “Youth Equality Services (YES) is a program of BTC that will provide a weekly youth group meeting as well as after school programs for teens at the Cimarron Alliance Equality Center.”
YES is being housed at the Cimarron Alliance Equality Center at 5613 N. May Ave #400 in OKC. A kick-off party will be held on July 4th from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Equality Center. There will be a drag show, games, prizes, live DJ, and free food.
“According to recent data collected by the Human Rights Campaign, LGBT youth are twice as likely as their peers to be physically assaulted at school, they are twice as likely as their counterparts to experiment with drugs and/or alcohol and LGBT youth are two-to-three times more likely to attempt suicide,” adds Roberts. “These statistics are unacceptable and as a community, we should be addressing the needs of LGBT youth more aggressively. The YES program is a big step in the right direction. The program will not only provide a safe and supportive environment for our LGBT youth, but will save the lives of many of these young people."
YES meetings will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm with a formal meeting held from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For information, call (405) 495-9300.
Be The Change is a non-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma dedicated to inspiring and empowering people to connect with our marginalized citizens through service and advocacy; working together to build and sustain healthy communities. “When we seize the opportunity to be of service to others, we tear down the walls that separate us.”