Out Center

Programs: Adults, teens, and families support - families and allies - two annual outreach events convened more than 300 lgbt+ people, their families, and allies to educate about needs, challenges, and build communities of support. Strategic partners received "communities that care" awards (all schools in 2017)and a courageous ally received "ally of the year" award. Eight additional outreach events also occurred at area restaurants, providing similar activities at locations in 2 counties. Adult support group sessions - 72 sessions convened for 149 people and included adding 3 new group sessions. Donated services provided by professional therapists, social workers and college interns for a total of 200. 5 hours provided by 12 professionals. Teen programs - 15 gay-straight alliance(gsa)sessions convened throughout the mostly rural tri-county area, including 3 "pop up" meetings at other sites. Meeting cirricula provided educational and leadership development activities. Average attendance was 9. 4 people per meeting. Provided technical assistance to 3 schools in the development of new gsas at their locations, and 3 additional technical assistance to schools regarding challenges faced by individual students.

drop in center - open 5 days a week throughout the year. Provided safe and welcoming space for lgbt+ people, their families, and allies. Provided vetted referrals to callers and walk-ins. Provided free access to wifi, educational library, and dvd collection.

education and civic engagement - provided diversity and inclusivity workshops to 4 school personnel and/or youth program groups to 75 personnel and/or peer youth educators; 9 presentations to school leadership, public health and law enforcement groups, reaching 197 personnel; participated in 5 educational forums to general public audiences, reaching an additional estimated 210 people. Participated in 3 state-wide initiatives that impact the tri-county area to educate others about the state-of-the-state-of-michigan on results from survey of transgender people in michigan, the ongoing status of the ellio- larsen civil rights act that excludes lgbtq+ people from protection against discrimination, and an effort to secure an interpretative statement from the state's department of civil rights.