Youth Outlook

Time is ticking until our Fall 2024 Volunteer Training kicks off on September 9th! Be sure to get started on your application today!

It's that time of year again! Our Fall 2024 Volunteer Training starts on September 9th, but you can get started on your application right now!

Head over to tinyurl.com/Fall24YO to apply. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].

We are excited to have you join our incredible team in making sure LGBTQ+ youth across IL are Safe, Supported, and Celebrated!

The invitations for this year's Dare to Dream Gala are hot off the presses, so it is time to start announcing some of our award winners! Our Business Partner of the Year is Kristen Panice and her marketing company, Cake or Death Marketing Communications.

Kristen joined the board of directors in 2022, serving as the Chair of the Marketing Committee and a member of the Training Taskforce, Fundraising, and Personnel Committees. She has led Youth Outlook through dozens of projects and strategic sessions cumulating hundreds of hours of dedication.

We regularly talk about how true allies need to be ready to un-learn and to listen. She has listened to our varying points of view, taken all the notes and come back with versions that made it clear people were seen and heard. All of our educational, fundraising, and outreach materials have been and are touched with Kristen's love.

Thank you, Kristen, for your years of dedication to our organization, and congratulations on earning this award!

We're continuing our Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Wellness and Equity Program series this week by spotlighting one of the many incredible organizations providing inclusive care: meet Rush Copley's Affirm program! From LGBTQIA+ psychotherapy to reproductive health and HIV care to gender-affirming services like HRT and voice training, Affirm: The RUSH Center for Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Health, is putting in the work to ensure LGBTQ+ folks have access to life-saving medical and mental health care. You can learn more by going to rush.edu/affirm . Thank you, Rush University System for Health, for being a proven leader in !

We couldn't let pass by without celebrating the incredible LGBTQ+ youth that we serve! Youth Outlook's mission is to make sure LGBTQ+ youth (and their allies) are always Safe, Supported, and Celebrated. We've had 2,840 visits to our drop-in centers in 2024 thus far!

Data from The Trevor Project's 2024 U.S. national mental health survey reveal that LGBTQ+ young people who reported living in very accepting communities attempted su***de at less than half the rate of those who reported living in very unaccepting communities (you can read the entire study here: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2024/) It is our goal to build those accepting communities and provide safe spaces for this often targeted population. When given the opportunity to thrive, LGBTQ+ youth bring fresh insights, ideas, and innovations that make the world shine brighter.

If you would like to join us on our mission, there are multiple ways to get involved! Our Fall 2024 volunteer training is coming up on September 9th. You can learn more and sign up by going to tinyurl.com/Fall24YO. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions.

If you don't feel called to volunteer but still want to support us directly, youth-outlook.org/donate includes multiple different ways to make a donation: you can support us with a financial contribution, you can help supply our centers by buying off our Amazon wish list, and you can even get in touch with us to make an in-kind donation. Anything helps!

As we approach a new school year, Youth Outlook and PFLAG DuPage invite you to our 7th Annual LGBTQ+ Youth and Family Picnic on Saturday, August 24th from 2:00 - 6:00 PM at DuPage River Park, 808 Royce Rd, in Naperville.

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of connection and community. We'll provide burgers, hot dogs, and vegetarian options. Please bring a dessert or side to share if you are able. This will be a substance-free, all ages event. You can help us out by registering for the picnic at https://bit.ly/PFLAGYO2024 , which gives us a better idea of how much food we need to buy.

You can also check out our facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/share/M3tLrodb1sPTx978/

We look forward to seeing everyone in a couple weeks!

It's ! We're celebrating by showing off some of the feline friends of our staff and volunteers. From black cats to tabbies to the orange cats who share one collective brain cell between them all, we love these mischievous liquid creatures. Do you have any important cats in your life? What's your favorite feline feature? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to set out some extra milk and catnip!

The Summer series of Rainbow Sprouts continues this Saturday, August 10th, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 PM in Aurora!

Please send an email to [email protected] for specific location details.
The theme for this week is "Express Yourself"!

If it is your first time attending, click this link to register: https://bit.ly/3BNdeYW
We look forward to seeing everyone in Aurora again this Saturday!

Youth Outlook is excited to introduce a new social media series as part of our participation in the Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Wellness and Equity Program funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC): our Health and Wellness navigators have been hard at work compiling tips, tricks, stats, and providers to feature to help our followers better explore the often confusing world of gender affirming healthcare.

We're kicking things off by sharing a few easy steps patients can take to find affirming healthcare professionals. While this isn't a comprehensive list, it is a solid way to start your journey!

We 💗 community picnics. Open to all 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We will be here next Sunday, come join us! And let us know if you can help us table!💖🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Calling all LGBTQIA2S+ youth! Take the 2024 GLSEN School Climate Survey!

This survey is about school experiences of youth who are LGBTQIA2S+ (le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, q***r, intersex, asexual, two-spirit, and more) or questioning. The information you share will be used to work toward safe and affirming schools for LGBTQIA2S+ youth.

If you are 13 years or older and identify as LGBTQ+ and/or two spirit and you attended middle or high school in the US last year, this survey is for you. At GLSEN, we know that LGBTQ+ youth of color, trans students, students with disabilities, youth living in rural areas have unique experiences in schools. If you are a student with those experiences and identities, we especially want to hear from you!

Educators and friends, share this survey with your networks!

Take the Survey in English: https://bit.ly/49yBrkk
Take the Survey in Spanish: https://bit.ly/4aNHi6w

LGBTQ+ youth, we need your voice! 🌈 Share your experiences by taking our National School Climate Survey. Your insights help shape safer, more inclusive schools. Take the anonymous survey at the link below! ✨ Illustration by JessVoss Art

English: https://bit.ly/49yBrkk
Spanish: https://bit.ly/4aNHi6w

Image description: Two individuals stand side by side. One holds a rainbow flag, and the other wears a green sweatshirt with a rainbow motif. Above them, text reads "Calling LGBTQ+ Youth: Help inform policymakers & shape the future. Take GLSEN's National School Climate Survey today." Further text includes the website "https://bit.ly/4cKYJWD" and credits the artist "".

It's that time of year again! Our Fall 2024 Volunteer Training starts on September 9th, but you can get started on your application right now!

Head over to tinyurl.com/Fall24YO to apply. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].

We are excited to have you join our incredible team in making sure LGBTQ+ youth across IL are Safe, Supported, and Celebrated!

Join us in welcoming back Relief Mental Health as a sponsor for this year's Dare to Dream: Rainbow Revolution Gala!

We have many sponsorship packages available for this flower-powered event celebrating love and liberation; to learn more and secure yours, head to https://d2d.cbo.io.

Individual tickets for the gala will be available starting next month.

Thank you, Relief Mental Health, for your continued support of our organization and mission!

Youth Outlook is proud to support the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 34th Anniversary on this !

July 26th marks the inception of this important civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

As an organization focused on supporting LGBTQ+ youth, we know that this is an important intersection to acknowledge, accommodate, and celebrate. Thank you ADA National Network (adata.org) 1-800-949-4232 for providing the logo. To learn more about this landmark legislation and the work still left to be done, head to adaanniversary.org

The Summer series of Rainbow Sprouts continues this Saturday, July 27th, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 PM in Aurora!

Please send an email to [email protected] for specific location details.
The theme for this week is "Bookstore Field Trip"!

If it is your first time attending, click this link to register: https://bit.ly/3BNdeYW
We look forward to seeing everyone in Aurora again this Saturday!

The Sexuality, Health, and Gender Lab at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science conducts research focused on understanding and advancing the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth and adults. They have a passionate and caring team, most of whom are community members themselves.

The team is currently recruiting LGBTQ+ teens in the U.S. as part of the REACH study: teens will be asked to complete online surveys over the course of the study, and they will be compensated generously for their time (up to $246)!

If you are interested in participating, navigate to bit.ly/REACHYouthOutlook and follow the instructions. Questions may be directed to [email protected].

It's ! We asked our drop-in site leaders to poll their youth about everyone's favorite flavor, and Sterling reported back that mint chip was the majority favorite from a wide variety of options. Whether it's novelty Ben and Jerry's, classic chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry, or ice cream from a local creamery, we all love this sweet summer treat!

Let us know in the comments, do you have a particular favorite of your own? And then go get yourself a sundae on this celebratory Sunday!

We're celebrating by showing off the ink on some of our own staff and volunteers! Tattoos can be very personal and an expression of bodily autonomy. Some of the pieces featured here commemorate lost loved ones while others reflect personal stories and still more were chosen because of their visual appeal. Using your body as a canvas is a beautiful way to celebrate yourself! Thank you again to everyone who shared a small part of their story for this feature, and cheers to all the wonderful artists behind the needle!

Come join our friends at Skeleton Key Brewery for another round of OUTspoken LGBTQ Stories ! We are so excited to be back for the summer edition of this event!

TONIGHT!!!
We are normally closed on Tuesdays, but we are open this evening for a GREAT reason! We are super excited to be welcoming back our friends from OUTspoken LGBTQ Stories to help them raise money for Youth Outlook 🏳️‍🌈

This returning event features a curated collection of real-life stories that are hilarious at times and heartstring-pulling at others, but are always powerful in their ability to connect us with one another. We will be donating a portion of tonight's sales to youth outlook as well, so come have a pint and help us do some good (Free to attend as always and 21+) ❤️🧡💛💚💙🩵💜

Taproom is open at 5pm, and Burn'n Bull will be setting up for food service shortly thereafter so you can grab a bite and a beer before stories start at 730pm 😀

We are excited to announce that LGBT Technology Partnership & Institute and PowerOn have generously chosen to donate 10 brand new tablets for use in our drop-in centers! Grants like these give us the opportunity to include youth who might not have access to such technology at home. Thank you, LGBT Tech and PowerOn, for bolstering our mission of ensuring LGBTQ+ youth across Illinois are Safe, Supported, and Celebrated!

With winds and waters high, we have decided to cancel all in-person drop-in programming tonight, July 15th, 2024, to ensure everyone's safety. This means that our DeKalb and Peoria centers WILL NOT meet tonight. We apologize for the inconvenience, but fear not: we have some backup options!

As an alternative to in-person programming, we recommend checking out the activities that are always available via imi.guide. We also offer a regular virtual drop-in session over zoom on Tuesday nights from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Please reach out to [email protected] for more details if you would like to attend.

We hope to be back to our regular programming next week!

Today, we round out Nonbinary Awareness Week with International Nonbinary People's Day! Swipe through to learn more about what it means to be nonbinary, how our own youth connect with the term, and what the colors of the flag(s) represent!

Just over 3.5 hours left to get your bids in on some fabulous prizes!

Sold Out Ellen DeGeneres tickets, RuPaul's Drag Race tickets, Chicago Blackhawks tickets and our very own Youth Outlook's 2024 Dare to Dream Gala: Rainbow Revolution! Tickets.

All tickets have been donated and 100% of the proceeds will go to our mission 🏳️‍🌈❤️🏳️‍⚧️

https://gaylaaaa.cbo.io

Did you know that our Gay-Laaaa presented by Comedy Vault also includes a silent auction element?

We've got tickets to RuPaul's All Stars Live, Ellen's sold out tour, the Chicago Blackhawks (with parking included!), and this year's Dare to Dream: Rainbow Revolution, along with a few special destination trips and high-quality wine tasting all up for grabs!

The auction is currently open for bidding and will close at 3 pm CDT on Saturday, July 13th.

You do *not* have to be present at the Gay-Laaaa to win, but it would be more fun that way ;)

https://gaylaaaa.cbo.io

Heckin' Unicorn

We're halfway through our summer pop-up drop-in! Reach out to [email protected] for location details, we hope to see you again tonight!

Youth Outlook and the Bolingbrook Youth Drop-In Center Board are proud to announce a Summer Pop Up Drop-In Center for LGBTQ+ Youth coming to Bolingbrook this summer! Join us in Bolingbrook for a summer full of inclusive fun and community in a safe and affirming space.

This drop-in center will meet the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of June, July, and August, from 6:30-9:00 PM. This space is open for LGBTQ+ youth and allies, ages 12-20.

Launch date is Thursday, June 13th (3 weeks from tomorrow!).

Email [email protected] for the address.

Many thanks to our sponsors from the Bolingbrook Youth Drop-In Center Board, Bolingbrook Pride and Partners in Pride! This would not be possible without their support.

The Summer series of Rainbow Sprouts continues this Saturday, July 13th, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 PM in Aurora!

Please send an email to [email protected] for specific location details.
The theme for this week is "Rainbow Olympics"!

If it is your first time attending, click this link to register: https://bit.ly/3BNdeYW
We look forward to seeing everyone in Aurora again this Saturday!

Did you know that our Gay-Laaaa presented by Comedy Vault also includes a silent auction element?

We've got tickets to RuPaul's All Stars Live, Ellen's sold out tour, the Chicago Blackhawks (with parking included!), and this year's Dare to Dream: Rainbow Revolution, along with a few special destination trips and high-quality wine tasting all up for grabs!

The auction is currently open for bidding and will close at 3 pm CDT on Saturday, July 13th.

You do *not* have to be present at the Gay-Laaaa to win, but it would be more fun that way ;)

https://gaylaaaa.cbo.io

Non-Binary Awareness Week in 2024 starts today, Monday, July 8, and ending, on International Non-Binary People's Day, Sunday, July 14.

What is Non-Binary?
Non-binary is an identity embraced by some people who do not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Non-binary people may identify as being both a man and a woman, somewhere in between or as falling completely outside of these categories. While many also identify as transgender, not all non-binary people do. Non-binary can also be used as an umbrella term encompassing identities such as agender, bigender, genderq***r or gender fluid.
(bit.ly/3Wbe4dg)

Tips for Allies:
-Respect non-binary people’s identity!
-Use the correct pronouns. Don't assume. Just ask.

Happy Nonbinary Awareness Week!

Holiday update: Youth Outlook will be closed for Independence Day on Thursday, July 4th and Friday, July 5th, 2024. This means there will be no Downer's Grove, Sterling, or Elmhurst drop-in programming on Thursday, and no Q-Chat Space on Friday. We will resume regular programming on Monday, July 8th, 2024. We hope everyone enjoys the holiday and engages in safe celebrations (leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals)!