ALSO Youth

✨The countdown begins!✨ Tickets for our Space Cowboy Prom will be launching on November 13th! 🚀

Get ready for a night of stellar vibes, intergalactic fun, and a dance floor that’s truly out of this world, all for FREE! Mark your calendars—you won’t want to miss this cosmic event. 🌵🌍

Get crafty with our ALSO friends and artist Kat Sjogren at our needle felting workshop. 🌈❤

Special thanks to the Johnson Singer Foundation for supporting this special event for our youth!

"Hi, my name is Keith, and I am 15 years old. In February of last year, I started going to ALSO because my mom thought it would be good for me. I made new friends and felt comfortable to be myself, so I continued going. I joined the Youth Leadership Program because Molly [ALSO’s Program Manager] thought I would be a good applicant because I really like helping people. My hobbies include sports and making art. In my free time, I coach cheerleading for kids ages 5-7."

Keith is an incredible representative of our Youth Leadership Council. They are excellent at welcoming other members, creating an inclusive and comfortable environment for their peers. They have been a reliable member, volunteering for ALSO, Jr. programs regularly since joining the Council. We are so proud of Keith for their community-minded spirit and the kindness they bring to all of our programs! 🌈

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ALSO Youth's services have been impacted significantly due to the indefinite closure of their Sarasota center following Hurricane Milton. As they continue to expand their reach in Manatee County, the demand for supplies and support has grown. With attendance increasing at their Manatee location, there is an urgent need to keep the center stocked with essential items for the youth they serve.

During November and December, SarasotaOUT.com is challenging the community to gather snacks and supplies for ALSO Youth. This is an excellent opportunity for your team, business, family, anyone, and everyone to do something good for our LGBTQ youth and give back to our community.

MORE INFO
https://www.sarasotaout.com/also.html

There is so much fun in store for our ALSO, Jr. program this month! 🌈✨

This program is for youth ages 10-12 and completely free to participate in. Interested in learning more? Join us at our Open House later this month.

📣Save the date: Giving Tuesday is on December 3rd, 2024! 🌈

During this day of global generosity, the power of people and organizations to transform our communities will be unleashed. Our mission to support LGBTQ+ youth and their families can only be accomplished with your support!

Our annual Prom is a highlight of the year for many of our youth. This event is a vital celebration that provides a safe and inclusive space for young people to express their identities and celebrate their individuality, without fear of judgment. Specifically designed to foster acceptance and belonging, our Prom offers a free hair and makeup salon, fun crafts, engaging entertainment, and so much more.

With your support, we can make our Prom dreams a reality. Become a sponsor to help us create an immersive and unforgettable experience for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies. To learn more or secure your sponsorship, visit our website today: www.alsoyouth.org/also-youth-prom/also-youth-prom-sponsorships

Happy Halloween! ✨🎃

With back-to-back storms, our October outreach events were important opportunities to connect with our community. Over the course of the month, we participated in Van Wezel's Friday Fest, run/walks for NAMI and the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention, festive Halloween events, and the Bradenton Public Market. We are eager to see our ALSO friends at this month's exciting events!

🌟Lakewood Ranch Farmer's Market @ Waterside Place | Sunday, November 3rd, 10 AM-2 PM
🌟Friendly City Flea Market @ The Oscura | Sunday, November 10th, 10 AM-3 PM
🌟Sarasota Farmer's Market @ Downtown Sarasota | Saturday, November 16th, 7 AM-1 PM
🌟Bradenton Public Market @ Downtown Bradenton | Saturday, November 23rd, 9 AM- 2 PM
🌟Festival of the Trees Kick-Off Party @ University Town Center Mall | Monday, November 25th, 4-6 PM

As LGBTQ+ History Month comes to a close, we have a youth book review from Izzy which covers "Annie On My Mind" (1982), one of the first LGBTQ+ youth novels. 🏳️‍🌈✨

Want to read Annie On My Mind? Check it out from our Rainbow Library by visiting our website. 🌈📚

Dust off your cowboy boots and fire up your spaceship because ALSO Youth's 2025 Prom theme is here! Join us for an out of this world night on February 22nd for LGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 14-20. More information coming soon! 🪐🌵

Want to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ youth and their families? Become a volunteer with ALSO Youth! 🌈✨

We are always welcoming applications for volunteers to help with youth programs, outreach events, committees and more! Visit our website to complete the application today.

Youth are invited to bring their friends and family as we pop popcorn and watch Coraline at the Manatee Center this Saturday. See you there! 🍿🎬

In response to the needs of the youth we serve, we will be hosting a post-hurricane check-in and support group where youth ages 13-24 can connect with one another and share their experiences.

This group will be held both virtually and in-person to increase access to this important opportunity for community building. Email [email protected] to request the link to join!

In the wake of the destruction of Hurricane Milton, we understand that our community’s needs are immeasurable. While the devastation is evident, we feel certain that our community will rebuild together. Our hearts are with all those impacted.

Our Sarasota Center is closed indefinitely due to damage, and we have moved all of our operations and programs to our Bradenton Center, which is located at 351 6th Avenue West and can be reached by calling (941) 254-7178.

For updated program information, please view our calendar on our website. Email [email protected] to connect with our team if you need assistance.

As a result of Hurricane Milton, ALSO Youth's operations, services, and programs are temporarily suspended. Our team is working to be available at our Manatee Center starting next week on Monday, October 14th.

Please stay tuned to our social media for updates.

"Hello! I’m Maya. I’m 24, and I use any pronouns. In 2022, I graduated from New College with a degree in neurobiology, and now I work as a medical scribe in Sarasota. My goal is to become a doctor, so I’ve been volunteering because medical schools require it."

"I became involved with ALSO Youth as soon as they opened volunteering to people under 25, and it is by far the most personally meaningful venture I've been a part of. I grew up in the Deep South, and somehow other kids knew I was q***r before I did, which came with the usual derogatory language and snubbing. I really internalized the way that people treated me, and although biology has been a lifelong fascination of mine, I never thought someone 'like me' could ever be a physician or scientist until I found my community. Having something like ALSO would have made a huge difference to me back then. It feels good to contribute to something like that, and the kids I've met there are all so smart, funny, and open."

"Most of all, I want every young LGBT+ person to know that there is a future for them, and that you CAN be a q***r adult and be happy, loved, and respected. There is community and strength in being who you are! Wear what you want. Dye your hair. Cut it. Grow it out and then buzz it all off again and again. Read, write, and make art. Anyone worth spending your time and energy on will respect you regardless."

Maya has been an amazing member of our Youth Leadership Council by providing meaningful support and creativity in our discussions. Their humor is an added bonus! We are excited to see all that Maya accomplishes in their academic pursuits and are grateful for their inspiring leadership. 🌈🌟

With Hurricane Milton on the way, our team is taking precaution by closing both of our Centers on Tuesday, October 8th and Wednesday, October 9th. Stay tuned to our social media for updates on our reopening. Stay safe! ❤

Our October Volunteer Spotlight is Aaron Kaufman! Aaron began volunteering with us in February of this year. Since then, he has become a reliable source of support for our programs and youth.

Aaron is originally from Fort Lauderdale, FL but moved to Sarasota from Maryland, where he completed his Master's in Special Education. Now, he works as a Learning Specialist at a local independent school. He works with his students to develop self-advocacy skills, executive functioning, and study skills.

Initially drawn to ALSO Youth by positive community response to our mission, Aaron quickly became an amazing volunteer, lending his time to our various programs. He found a special interest in our monthly Disabled Youth Meet-Up, aligning his educational background with the needs of the program. In addition to his involvement with the Disabled Youth group, Aaron also made for an excellent camp counselor at our 2024 Camp True Colors.

When asked the highlight of his volunteer experience, he said, "Every time I volunteer is a highlight, as I see the youth members having fun and having a safe space to be their authentic self, that some of us didn’t have when we were growing up."

When Aaron is not working with his students or volunteering with our youth programs, he is a studying for his doctoral degree at University of Central Florida. His research focus is LGBTQ+ youth with disabilities. He also loves video games and always welcomes a Super Smash Brother's challenge!

Thank you, Aaron, for your dedication to supporting LGBTQ+ youth and bringing so much experience and knowledge to our programs. We are grateful to have you as a part of our community! 🌈❤