Resources for LGBTQ+ youth and their families
Helping our children navigate romantic relationships and sexual identity as they reach adulthood can be hard on parents. Parenting a teen who faces the unique challenges of LGBTQ youth adds another layer of complexity to the mix.
In an article titled Tips for Parents of LGBTQ Youth, Johns Hopkins provides a helpful resource for parents as they support their LGBTQ youth. Among their suggestions: maintain healthy dialogue with your teen and stay connected with their school, because identifying as LGBTQ+ can be isolating for youth.
Recognizing the additional difficulty of rural living, Project Bravery was founded in 2020.
Project Bravery was established to address the isolation, social rejection, and lack of resources available to rural LGBTQIA2S+ youth.
A program of the Olalla Center, a 501(c)3, non-profit organization based in Lincoln County, Oregon, Project Bravery works to create safe spaces, promote visibility and acceptance, build equitable resources, and strengthen the community with courage and compassion.
Says program director Elijah Stucki, “We believe all people are stronger with the support of a caring community, culturally appreciative services, and a connection to the natural world.”
Project Bravery offers a resource center and safe space for LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-24 in Lincoln County, OR.
Regular opportunities to join other LGBTQ+ youth in community-building activities are offered. In addition, counseling with a licensed therapist is available to youth and their families.
For over 40 years, Olalla Center has operated on the core philosophy that you cannot have good health without a good community. As such, they focused their efforts not just on individuals and their families, but on the idea of village-building; creating social supports to help ensure life wellness.
Project Bravery is also committed to advancing LGBTQIA2S+ health equity, providing public outreach and education, and building strong collaborative partnerships to address the needs of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Lincoln County and across the region.
