As a recently retired high school English teacher, I decided to seek volunteer opportunities. Fortunately, I found Rainbow Rumpus. I love this organization! First of all, the magazine articles, stories, and downloadable books are excellent! Children of LGBT-headed households are often forgotten in the highly politicized rhetoric surrounding LGBT issues. Rainbow Rumpus provides stories about "families like theirs," which are really just wonderful stories about families. I'm proud to be associated with an organization that has such a clear mission and so much passion and talent in delivering that mission. Rainbow Rumpus is primarily run by a dedicated and passionate group of volunteers. I've also worked closely with Laura Matanah, the executive director, and I have seen first-hand her passion, her forward thinking, and her ability to help keep Rainbow Rumpus true to its mission. I have recently taken on the responsibility of Volunteer Coordinator, and I have also seen the talent and dedication of the volunteers in all levels of the organization. With so many volunteers involved, it means that any money donated to Rainbow Rumpus goes directly to the mission. These are the kinds of organizations that I prefer to donate my money to. Leaving the teaching profession after thirty-six years was a very difficult decision fo me; however, now that I've joined Rainbow Rumpus I am grateful that I have the time to work for an organzition that I feel this passionately about.
Rainbow Rumpus is my favorite nonprofit, bar none. It provides amazing literature telling the stories of families, stories I wish I had access to when I was a child growing up in small town America with a queer mom. Not only do they do amazing work, but the dollars I give go to making this work happen!
Rainbow Rumpus is one of a kind in the way it serves the community of LGBT-headed households and the community at-large. Through the website Rainbow Rumpus publishes stories and media that reflect the lives of kids and teens growing up in LGBT-headed households. By seeing families like theirs and kids like them reflected in this way they can start to feel part of a larger community of people that are a part of loving families. I am constantly inspired by the positive impact of the website and the stories published there. Every kid deserves to feel like they are a part of the stories we all tell, and Rainbow Rumpus' unique on-line platform allows them to reach families no matter where they live.
My daughter's first experience with Rainbow Rumpus was at Pride last year when she made a dragon puppet. I signed our names to the mailing list and then on her birthday we received an email to check out their website for a birthday message. She was so excited to see her name on the Rainbow Rumpus website and intrigued as we read the birthday messages to other kids around the country. Since then we periodically check out the website to read the stories, look at pictures, read the comics, and talk about what it means to have gay parents. Rainbow Rumpus has helped expose her to multitudes of stories about kids with LGBT parents and it's helped us with examples of how to educate her in defending herself to ignorant comments and how to be proud of who she is. We are incredibly greatful for Rainbow Rumpus!
In over 90% of American counties, children are growing up with two moms or two dads. Many of these children may never hear a story about a family like theirs in child care or school--stories about children with two moms or two dads, or other parents who identify as gay, lesbian, bi, or trans, are simply not being published. For children who don't have a strong community of similar families in their area, this can be devastating. Rainbow Rumpus publishes professional children's stories, illustrations, comics, and other media that reflect the lives of these children, and makes this media available free to children and their families, neighbors, and teachers, in monthly online issues. We receive email, letters, and comments every month from children around the country (and even around the world) telling us how important this work is to them. The MN Council on Nonprofits awarded us their Dot Org award for our work, too. Every child deserves to read stories about families like their own. Every child needs to read stories about families that are different from theirs, too. Rainbow Rumpus makes this possible. I have volunteered for Rainbow Rumpus for three and a half years. I come back because I know how important the work is, and because the community in the organization is so strong. A core group of over 30 volunteers put the issue together every month; their enthusiasm and dedication are palpable. I learn from them all the time.
Rainbow Rumpus fills a hole in the lives of children of BGLQT families. It addresses difficult issues tactfully and age-appropriately, and is multicultural and often funny! It also provides an online community for elementary-aged youth, teens, and their parents.
Rainbow Rumpus is the mirror that reflects the lives of children of LGBT families. I have been volunteering for Rainbow Rumpus for three years now, and what keeps me coming back month after month to work on each new issue is above all the heart-felt thanks we get from kids and young adults for producing media that reflects their lives. The magazine also has a simply amazing group of managers, volunteers and board members. Not only is the organization a unique and vital resource for our target audience, it's also a useful tool for straight parents who want to teach their children about diversity. Whether it's talking to your kids about what transgender means, or simply showing them that other families have two dads or two moms, Rainbow Rumpus has stories that illustrate and validate a myriad of life styles that very rarely are addressed in traditional media. As an ally who hopes someday to have children of her own, I look forward to reading these great stories to my kids.
Rainbow Rumpus is a unique online website with original stories, cartoon, and ability to create a community for youth with LGBT families. It's a resource for parents and teachers, building understanding through creativity.
Rainbow Rumpus provides an amazing, and essential, service to kids, young adults, as well as parents, teachers, and friends of youth who are growing up in LGBT households. As far as a volunteer experience, I have really been impressed with the level of organization and communication with volunteers. Rainbow Rumpus Rocks!!!
