True Colors, Inc.
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As a therapist for children and adolescents I have often looked to True Colors to assist in many ways over the last 10 years. Robin and her staff are incredibly responsive and helpful. Robin has also done some training for myself and colleagues and no one leaves without an incredible amount of insight of how to assist all children and families. They are incredible.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change the way kids feel about themselves and save lives.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
True Colors is a group that has embraced the LGBTQI kids that get lost in the system. Few existing social organizations are able to fund or support programs where kids are labeled anything other than what society wants them to be. Many church groups can't handle LGBTQI youth because they have a need to change kids to what the church wants them to be, and when they can't- youth are cast away for having the courage to be themselves. True Colors embraces the youth of it's program. No one is told to be anything except themselves. The ability True Colors staff has to see each individual and treat their soul amazes me. If I had to name the number one service they provide- it would be acceptance tied with Love for first place. I decided to become a mentor for this very reason. I am impressed with the amount of community outreach True Colors does, from School GSA's, (which I might add provided youth with scholarship opportunities and information), to an amazing (yearly) national conference, to a variety of arts, entertainment, and spiritual groups. It is an honor to volunteer with this group!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the youth that have grown emotionally, spiritually and who now have hope in their future.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
What I've learned from staff, other volunteers and interns and what the kids share. The conference. To see so many youth, for some of them, the only days they can be themselves.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Kind, dedicated, knowledgeable, hip. These people know what they are doing! There just isn't enough of them!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Organize groups across the country and create a more accepting and loving place for LGBTQI youth in society.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
True Colors provides and outstanding service to the youth that seek it out by supporting them and affirming their worth as individuals regardless of sexual orientation. Further, True Colors provides and outstanding service to all organizations in the state of CT that serve youth by advocating for lgbtq youth and assisting organizations in understanding the needs of such youth.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
in countless lgbtq youth that thought they had no self worth....that thought no one actually cared for them....that thought they would be condemned to hell because insensitive, discriminatory, bigoted, and prejudiced people had told them so.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
continue doing exactly what they are doing.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the warm and caring people that are involved. As well as watching lgbtq youth gain confidence and self worth.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
warm and caring.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
make the world a better place for lgbtq youth and the general public.
Ways to make it better...
True Colors had even great support and funding.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
discrimination, bigotry, and prejudice foisted upon it by discriminatory, bigoted, prejudicial people.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I hope True Colors keeps up the fine job it does.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
True Colors is an organization that is dishonest as best. They fail to present both side of the issue of homosexuality to youth. The youth that they serve are very vulnerable and they come to programs run by this organization often with the question "What do I do? I think I might be gay." Youth served are always encouraged to explore the path of homosexuality rather than the path of heterosexuality or celibacy. The leadership of this group will not dare tell their clients that homosexuality may be a CHOICE! It's a shame that such a biased group has been allowed to have such an influence on our kids.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
they do employ a lot of volunteers in their efforts -- of different ethnic groups and socio-economic groups.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2000
True Colors is a great, cutting edge organization which is devoted to improving the lives of LGBTQ youth. Not only do they provide direct services e.g. mentoring programs and the largest conference for and about LGBTQ youth in the country, but they also educate those who work w/ youth in a wide range of agencies.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the faces of hundreds of LGBTQ youth attending this year's True Colors Conference!
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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
True Colors, Inc., is an organization with one overriding goal. Provide LGBTQ, etc., youth, their families and allies with the tools and support needed to ensure that these youth grow up knowing the value they themselves bring to the world and that they can truly make a difference and be proud of who they are. As a board member and a long time advocate of True Colors, I have seen the group grow from being run out of a home to the small office space they now occupy, bursting to expand yet again. The annual Youth Conference, provides information and eduction to thousands of LGBTQ, etc., youth from middle school through college along with social workers and other youth oriented professionals. The conference is larger and more dynamic year after year. Other shining examples of their efforts are the Safe Harbor project run with the State of CT Dept of Children and Families, their LGBT mentoring program and their GSA progams. The staff and interns are truly dedicated and caring professionals and have been recognized nationally and locally as have many of their training and other programs. True Colors is working hard to increase their donor base and rely less on grant funding for programs and operating costs, to ensure fiscal stability and growth in years to come. The organization is poised to become a well recognized national player in support of LGBT youth.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the faces of the youth that pass through their door, attend a conference, or hear about this from someone they know
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
hope to do one tenth of what Robin McHaelen does every single day.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the dedication and professionalism of the entire staff and board
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
beyond amazing and never take no for an answer.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
continue to succeed in everything it does and reach out to touch every LGBT youth in the United States with the same care and dedication to equality.
Ways to make it better...
I had been able to join as a board member much earlier
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Funding and need for increased staffing to expand their programs, which is tied to funding of course
One thing I'd also say is that...
There is nothing left to say.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Having just moved to conneticut i dont know much about true colors, but i do know that this is a great organization and deserves this award. they have helped me personnally and many that i know. they are the soldiers for the lgbtq communitty and should be recognized for all that they do.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My community as well as the whole of CT
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give all the members an award for there hard work.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The hospitality and understanding of the members.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
nice, clean kind, and understanding. they deserve this award more than anyone else.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help get bills passed and have an official building and switchboard.
Ways to make it better...
A limo had driven me there.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
money. there biggest problem is financial, and im sure this award could help that.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I LOVE TRUE COLORS!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
True Colors opened my eyes to the LGBT world. The 2007 youth conference helped me realize that you know it's okay to be proud. I don't have to hide or be in the shadows. True colors, INC has given me a voice and the courage to do great things in the LGBT commnity. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be sitting typing here. They have inspired me to do such great things and I'm extremely proud to know the peoplw who run True Colors, their volunteers, and the 100s of youth they inspire.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Schools therapy centers in the streets the people I met through True Colors in the inspiration they've given me
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Repeat the movements of my predeccsors(sp?)
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Definley all the doors it has opened for me.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
AMAZING!!!!! plain and simple.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change the world. help the LGBT community even more have more events be able to have more mentoring services
Ways to make it better...
N/A
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the number of volunteers and the time constraints and of course the stress. atogether equal quite a large challenge.
One thing I'd also say is that...
my life would not be the same if it was not for True Colors inc. They've helped me in so many ways and I thank Buddha that they are in existense.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have never seen an organization so intimately involved with their mission and so committed to the people they serve. Their tiny staff somehow finds a way to make an enormous difference for hundreds (thousands?) of LGBTQIA... kids in Connecticut and beyond every year. What makes True Colors different from many other organizations is the utter honesty with which they operate. They recruit dedicated volunteers by being unabashedly honest about what will be expected of them; they are honest with the kids they serve when helping them try to make the right decisions; and they advocate honesty in their community. With this honest approach, they pull off the biggest, greatest LGBTQI Youth Conference in the country. Going to that conference is like going home to the family you always wish you had. I am so proud to be involved with this organization. Every activity provides a first-hand account of lives being changed, if not saved.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
every activity I've attended. There is always an air of deep care and support for the youth in the program. You can tell during True Colors activities that the youth are feeling much safer and supported than they are in their daily lives.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
find more effective ways for everyone in the organization--youth, staff, and volunteers--to communicate their needs, ideas and logistics with each other. I would also develop a more formal fundraising effort.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how committed and supportive the staff are to its volunteers. Whenever I've had struggles or needed advice, Kamora has been right there to listen and help out.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
the most dedicated, caring, fiercely loyal people in the universe. They are totally dedicated to their youth and are willing to go to any length to make sure their kids are safe and supported.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
open affirming, supportive group homes for our youth in DCF care staffed with open-minded, positive people. And maybe find a more convenient place for their conference.
Ways to make it better...
the organization was more organized administratively and had clearer streams of communication.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
lack of staff and resources. As with most non-profits, the True Colors staff is spread thin and can't be everywhere at once. If we could just quadruplicate each of their staff members, they might be able to do all the work there is to be done in CT.
One thing I'd also say is that...
this is the best non-profit I've ever been involved with. Their tiny staff works miracles for LGBTQIA kids in the state. I wish an organization like True Colors was around when I was growing up.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Any organization that aspires to serve adolescents had better have its act together, and True Colors has a very together act. Life ain't a cabaret, it's a three ring circus. True Colors handles its various programs and services with grace, joy, and professionalism, performing a juggling act while crossing a tightrope on a unicycle! It engages sexual minority youth, their families, their friends, and their allies and advocates. The True Colors annual conference is an astonishingly rich service to Connecticut, and the ongoing services that the True Colors organization provides (like adult/youth mentoring and mentoring training) are invaluable.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The numbers of sexual minority youth served, the variety and sophistication of True Colors' programs and services, and its engagement of diverse constituencies.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Observing sexual minority youth and their friends energized and engaged in productive activity, and seeing the concern of the adults in their lives.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
A tireless, enthusiastic, and professionally skilled executive director, reliable support staff, and energetic, creative volunteers.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Expand its support staff and expand its programs.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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