True Colors, Inc.
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The best non-profits are mission focussed with strong professional practices and standards and with healthy personal commitment from leadership and staff. While I have been around many good non-profits, I think True Colors may be the best of the lot.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
helping foster kids find appropriate LGBT supportive homes.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
self-destruct.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The transcendent combination of passion and professional skills combined on behalf of their mission.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
committed.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Effectively cover Connecticut and help replicate elsewhere.
Ways to make it better...
had been able to commit more time.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
limited philanthropic dollars, prejudice, trying to respond to needs state-wide with VERY limited staff and a comparatively small volunteer base from one office.
One thing I'd also say is that...
The founder and Executive Director has provided compelling leadership.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
True Colors is officially a conference for sexual and gender minority youth. I suppose that's correct, but to me it's so much more than that. I first attended the conference when I was in high school, not so long ago. The next year I was in the fray, helping plan and volunteering. Working with True Colors has been my way of sharing the great fortune I've had in my life with youth who have not been so lucky. Many of the children who attend True Colors are not accepted for being who they are and the conference is one of the few places where they can really be themselves, and I think that is a beautiful thing.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my high school, where kids who never smiled did for a day.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
need the skills of a ninja, because that's what Robin has; I don't really know how she does it every year.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
coming in contact with such a multitude of people that I would have never had the opportunity to meet without it.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
absolutely awesome!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
make even more of difference for youth who are often not given a chance.
Ways to make it better...
I hadn't been sick.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
money, because there's never enough of it to help everyone that we'd like to, acceptance, because there are still people who want to come to the conference but aren't permitted for whatever reason, and a lack of limbs, since we each only have so many.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I don't really know where I'd be without True Colors; it has definitely given me a model for my life and for helping others.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
True Colors is an amazing organization. I happened upon the organization by chance - Kamora, director of the mentor program, sat and chatted with me during a non-GLBT event at which I was set to present. I was more excited about the mentor program than my event and followed up with Kamora about the organization later on. As a lesbian who made it through her teen years, I immediately thought of how different my life might have been had I the opportunity to have a GLBTQI mentor, a GSA, or a organization like TC. I then met Robin, executive director, and I learned of the myriad of services offered by TC and I was officially hooked. I joined the Board and became a mentor. The importance of the organization cannot be downplayed. Although our community has seen so much progress we have so far to go. Bullying of GLBTQI youth continues, suicide rates for our youth is up, and there are not enough support services for kids in this population. True Colors offers so much hope and support to Connecticut's youth each day. And once a year they go global and host the largest GLBTQI youth conference. If you haven't attended the conference you should - GLBTQI or an ally - it is amazingly empowering to sit in a room with 3000 GLBTQI and ally youth. Yes, I wish I had this organization when I was younger - I wish I had at least one person who then could have tole me what Robin, Kamora, Leah say each day to a kid - there is nothing wrong with you for being gay. To be involved with the organization is a blessing. True Colors gets my highest praise!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the eyes of each youth attending the annual True Colors Conference.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
go national!
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
volunteering at the conference and lending my expertise wherever I can.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
amazing!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
be a global organization!
Ways to make it better...
I had more time to give to the Board and my mentee.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
money, money, money!
One thing I'd also say is that...
True Colors Rocks!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have been involved with True Colors for over 10 years. Their annual youth conference alone is possibly one of the most powerful experiences I have had in my lifetime (of over 50 years). True Colors works diligently to help LGBTQQII youth develop their self image and dignity. They give youth who often feel marginalized and on the fringe of their social circles a chance to be part of a thriving social network. Thru their year-round mentoring program, True Colors gives support to those young people who might otherwise be ignored and left to founder in the layers of bureaucracy. I applaud Robin McHaelan and her staff for thinking beyond their budgets, and structures, and capabilities to enabling the impossible to be done.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the lives of young people who have developed into young adults who are proud and self assured.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
hope that I could do as great a job as Robin McHaelan does now. Her tireless commitment and constant dedication is an inspiration to anyone heading a non-profit organization.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
being able to listen to the hopes, dreams and aspirations voiced by young confident citizens who realize that their future is theirs to command.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
deidcated, involved, and constantly present in the lives of their clients. Each and every one volunteer and paid staff alike are the consumate professionals.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
could ease the aches in the hearts of so many youth all over the country. They would foster a generation of LGBT youth who were empowered and inspired to live their lives to their fullect potential.
Ways to make it better...
True Colors had more funds and resources to reach every young person who needs their help.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Money, money and money.
One thing I'd also say is that...
True Colors are their own worst enemies, they dedicate so much time to their mission, that they don't leave themselves much time for self-promotion, fundaraising and development
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
True Colors annual conference has expanded from from a small conference that was held at University of Hartford to a conference that attracts close to 3000 attendees at the University of Connecticut, many of them are professionals. They have added a third day to the conference just for professional working with LGBT youth. But they also have a mentoring program for LGBT kids. They work with to department of Children and Families to place LGBT youth with LGBT forester parents. In addition, True Colors is a member of the Anti-Discrimination Coalition working to pass a gender inclusive anti-discrimination law.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the youth who have increased their self esteem through the mentoring program
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
keep it just like it is now, focus on LGBT youth
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
working with their highly professional staff
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
motivated and very helpful. It was a pleasure to work with them.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
they could expand to other states. They are unique and could be a model program for other states
Ways to make it better...
we were able to pass a gender inclusive anti-discrimination bill
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
to overcome the lack of popper funding. In today;s economy they have made the best with what grants that they receive.
One thing I'd also say is that...
In my second year of grad school, I hope to intern with them.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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