January 18, 2024 Update

Caring for Youth and Families Committee

We will become a meaningful and visible presence in the community by works of love and action for LGBTQIA+ youth and families on society’s margins. 

This initiative cycles continually through three steps: “Learn – Identify Resources – Take Action.”

Objectives Achieved:

• Completed inventory of local organizations engaged in working with LGBTQIA+ youth and families
• Purchased an ad in SarasotaOUT thanks to contributions from Vestry members and parishioners
• Committee members have joined mailing lists of local community organizations, along with social media interaction.
• ALSO Youth participated in a moment for ministry and post-service presentation in March 2023.
• Hosted a second Diversity presentation with the goal to become more sensitive and inclusive to LGBTQIA+ youth and their allies.
• Explored ways that our campus might be used for ALSO Youth programming.
• In June, we opened our campus for free beach parking for ALSO Youth’s beach day at Siesta
• Participated in Sarasota PRIDE at a shared booth with St. Margaret in October.
• ALSO Youth will be the beneficiary of the Giving Tree in April, 2024
• Identified resources to be listed on the website

Next Steps:

• Create a virtual book group with St Margaret’s to expand our understanding of LGBTQIA+ issues
• Explore hosting an event with indie folk musician Spencer LaJoye
• Continue to cycle through the three steps in this initiative: Learn - Identify Resources - Take Action and apply these same steps to homeless/houseless youth and families as we did to LGBTQIA+ youth and families