Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth, Families, and Allies
Resources and organizations like the (recently dissolved) Shenango Valley Pride Alliance (pictured) offer safe spaces and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and the Buhl Regional Health Foundation recognizes and supports resources that are essential to all youth across Mercer County, including young people, their families, and caregivers who are part of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month is an annual observance celebrated in June that honors the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and the expansive queer community while commemorating their contributions to history, culture, and civil rights.
One of the Seven Vital Conditions of a thriving community* is belonging. This is an essential component of supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Belonging provides the power to shape a common world with social support that is free of stigmas, discrimination, and oppression allowing young people to thrive. When our youth feel socially supported, valued, and free from the weight of stigma and discrimination, they don’t just get by — they flourish.
If you or a loved one are looking for community, support, or resources, these organizations are here to help:
The New Castle Prism Initiative is an LGBTQIA+ advocacy and support organization serving Lawrence and Mercer Counties in Pennsylvania. It provides resources, community programs, and safe spaces that promote inclusion, connection, and empowerment. Connect with the organization online at https://newcastlepride.org.
The Trevor Project is a leading organization dedicated to ending suicide among LGBTQ+ young people by providing 24/7 crisis intervention services, a secure social networking community, and an extensive library of educational resources, research, and support guides for youth, families, and allies. To learn more, visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/.
PFLAG Pittsburgh is a dedicated support, education, and advocacy organization that provides resources for the LGBTQ+ community and their loved ones, including local support groups, educational programming, and scholarship opportunities. To find out more about them, visit https://www.pflagpgh.org/.
Full Spectrum Community Outreach is a non-profit organization serving LGBTQ+ residents across Lawrence County and the greater Mahoning Valley by providing essential resources like the Rainbow House shelter, peer support groups, an essential needs pantry, gender-affirming accessories, and sexual health education. For additional information, visit https://www.fullspectrumcommunityoutreach.org/
*Footnote Source: Created by the Rippel Foundation, the Seven Vital Conditions for Well-Being is a useful framework for conceptualizing holistic well-being and the Conditions that give rise to it, as well as identifying levers for community change and improvement. For more information, visit https://rippel.org/vital-conditions/.