Side By Side Va Inc

SIDE BY SIDE ENSURES VIRGINIA'S LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUESTIONING YOUTH AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR SUCCESS THROUGH ACCESS TO SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY. SIDE BY SIDE CONTINUES TO BE THE ONLY ORGANIZATION IN THE AREA THAT DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THE UNIQUE NEEDS AND THE HEALTHY SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF LGBTQ YOUTH AGES 11-20. THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS WEEKLY YOUTH SUPPORT GROUPS, A 24/7 TOLL-FREE YOUTH SUPPORT HOTLINE,EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, YOUTH LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES, AND A SAFE PLACE WHERE ALL YOUTH ARE ENCOURAGED TO VALUE THE DIVERSE INDIVIDUALS WHO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A DYNAMIC, EXCEPTIONAL PLACE. THROUGH THE INSTITUTE FOR EQUALITY, SIDE BY SIDE OFFERS PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO HELP YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICE PROFESSIONALS EFFECTIVELY ASSESS AND RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE MANNER.

THE CORE OF SIDE BY SIDE'S YOUTH SUPPORT PROGRAMS IS THE WEEKLY ADULT- FACILITATED SUPPORT GROUPS IN BOTH RICHMOND AND CHARLOTTESVILLE. THE YOUTH SUPPORT PROGRAM IS BASED ON THE 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS FOR ADOLESCENTS DEVELOPED BY THE SEARCH INSTITUTE AS BUILDING BLOCKS THAT ENGAGE YOUTH IN BUILDING SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES FOR HEALTHY MATURATION AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. INTERESTED YOUTH CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE YOUTH ENGAGED IN LEADERSHIP (YEL) PROGRAM. THE CURRICULUM FOR THIS NINE MONTH PROGRAM COMPLEMENTS THE SUPPORT GROUPS AND HELPS YOUTH ACQUIRE SPECIFIC LEADERSHIP SKILLS THROUGH HANDS ON PROJECTS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE GROUP LEARNS PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS BY ACTUALLY PLANNING AND EXECUTING ALL ASPECTS OF SIDE BY SIDE'S ANNUAL ALTERNATIVE PROM. IN ADDITION TO THE PROM, SIDE BY SIDE PROVIDES SOCIAL COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR INCLUDING A SUMMER COOKOUT AND HOLIDAY PARTY. SIDE BY SIDE ALSO SERVES AS A YOUTH CENTER, PROVIDING A SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH. THIS INCLUDES STUDY HOURS, GAMES, A LIBRARY, AND MANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO ENJOY A SPACE WHERE THEY ARE ACCEPTED FOR WHO THEY ARE. SIDE BY SIDE'S 24/7 YOUTH SUPPORT LINE AND SOCIAL NETWORKING PROVIDE RESOURCES TO YOUNG PEOPLE STATEWIDE. THE YOUTH SUPPORT LINE IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES LGBTQ YOUTH CAN REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT. CALLS RANGE FROM YOUTH JUST NEEDING A SYMPATHETIC EAR, TO YOUTH CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE TO CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE WITH EMERGENCY HOUSING FOR HOMELESS LGBTQ YOUTH. PARENTS, TEACHERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS ALSO USE THE HOTLINE WHEN SEEKING INFORMATION AND RESOURCES. SIDE BY SIDE'S LONG EXPERIENCE IN WORKING WITH RICHMOND'S LGBTQ AT-RISK YOUTH EVIDENCED THE NEED TO RAISE AWARENESS AMONG AND IMPROVE THE SERVICE OFFERED BY YOUTH SERVICE PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT VIRGINIA. IN 2008 SIDE BY SIDE LAUNCHED THE INSTITUTE FOR EQUALITY TO TRAIN YOUTH SERVICE PROVIDERS INCLUDING TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, COUNSELORS, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND OTHERS TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF LGBTQ YOUTH.