The Safe Spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and or questioning, intersex, asexual and/or allied (LGBTQIA+) program consists of community-based organizations currently working with LGBTQIA+ youth, to provide services that are trauma-informed, founded in Positive Youth Development, and are culturally appropriate and specific to LGBTQIA+ youth.
Services provided within Safe Spaces work to promote self-esteem, increase social connectedness and resilience, and decrease risk for suicidal behaviors (and self-harm). Services are housed within a setting that provides safety, support, and allows youth to be their whole-selves within the space; not having to compartmentalize their various identities in order to fit in or feel safe. These spaces, called “Sanctuary Programs”, provide social and emotional support for LGBTQIA+ youth who may be particularly vulnerable to or at elevated risk for violence, by connecting LGBTQIA+ youth to needed services identified through individual assessment. Self-esteem and resilience are promoted among participating youth through the development of leadership skills, event planning, and opportunities for community engagement.
Our programs provide services and programming that are trauma-informed, utilizing Positive Youth Development in design and implementation, and include suicidal behavior prevention activities. In addition to LGBTQ youth, priority populations for the Safe Spaces program include: LGBTQIA+ Youth of Color, Transgender Youth, Homeless/Unstably Housed/Unaccompanied LGBTQ Youth, LGBTQ Youth Aging Out of Services (DCF, DYS etc.), LGBTQIA+ Youth with Disabilities, and Immigrant and Refugee LGBTQIA+ youth.
For questions or comments please contact: Yves Singletary at: Yves.Singletary@MassMail.State.MA.US or (617) 624-5844.
Safe Spaces for LGBTQ Youth Funded Programs
Vendor Name/Address | Program/Project Name/ Telephone/Website | Region/Population | ||||
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18 Degrees Family Services for Western Mass. 480 West Street Pittsfield, MA 01201 |
18 Degrees’ Safe Spaces for LGBTQIA+ Youth Project (413) 448-8281 www.18degreesma.org |
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BAGLY, Inc. 28 Court Square Boston, MA 02108 |
Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Trans Advocacy and Education Project (617) 227-4313 www.bagly.org |
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Fenway Health Aids Action Youth on Fire One Church Street Cambridge, MA 02138 |
AIDS Action Youth On Fire (857) 313-6803 www.aac.org/youth-on-fire |
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Home for Little Wanderers 409 Lexington Street Waltham, MA 02452 |
Waltham House Residential Group Home for LGBTQIA+ Youth (781) 647-9976 www.thehome.org |
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Justice Resource Institute 75 Amory Street Boston, MA 02119 |
Boston GLASS Drop-In Center (857) 399-1920 www.jri.org |
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MAP For Health 322 Tremont Street Boston, MA 02116 |
Asian Pride (617) 426-6755 www.maphealth.org |
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Out Now 1695 Main Street Springfield, MA 01103 |
Out Now (413) 736-4610 www.outnowyouth.org |
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We Thrive 56 Barnstable Road Hyannis, MA 02601 |
We Thrive (508) 524-7888 |
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