Happy Pride Month! As an inclusive organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona is committed to celebrating those in the LGBTQ+ community during and beyond the month of June. It is always our intention to provide safe, non-judgmental support to all participants in our programs regardless of gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. By respecting and honoring the identities of our mentors, staff, and youth we hope to work together to create an environment where everyone feels respected and free to be their authentic selves.
But how does Big Brothers Big Sisters uphold its commitment to equity and inclusion? To start, we match both youth and mentors based on their gender identity. We respect the pronouns and chosen names of all participants in our programs. Our Program Specialists are knowledgeable about LGBTQ+ topics and are able to help coach mentors in how to support a child who has come out or started questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation. We also regularly attend local LGBTQ events in the community to show our support.
Another way that BBBSAZ upholds its commitment to equity and inclusion is by collaborating with partner sites such as the One-in-Ten LGBTQ+ youth center. Site-based programming is one of the ways volunteers can work 1:1 with youth in need of an adult role model. Instead of meeting in the community, mentors visit youth at one of our partner sites on designated days/times. Our One-In-Ten site meets every other Saturday. We understand the importance of mentorship for LGBTQ+ youth and ensure that they are matched with caring adults who can help them build resilience in the face of adversity.
If this opportunity interests you, we encourage you to register for a virtual webinar to learn more about our programs. Here are some examples of other ways that you can choose to celebrate pride this year:
- Educating yourself and those around you about historical LGBT people
- Letting the LGBTQ+ people in your life know that you appreciate them
- Boost LGBTQ+ voices
Additional resources are available on our website, please visit https://www.bbbsaz.org/lgbtq to learn more.
