Ruadhán Ó.’s Post

It is estimated that in the U.S. one in ten adults are adopted, 30% of youth in foster care identify as LGBTQ+, and there are 117,000 children available for adoption (2022 US Adoption Attitudes Survey, Harris Poll on behalf of the Dave Thomas Foundation). Many LGBTQ+ individuals and couples explore adoption when looking at ways to expand their family. We want as many people as possible to know that Adoption Network Cleveland is here to educate, advocate, and support them! PRIDE in the CLE is a march, a festival, an awareness campaign, a food truck and vendor wonderland, and a multi-stage event with speakers, music, and more. In 2019, the event attracted over 30,000 visitors. On June 1st, Adoption Network Cleveland plans to sponsor an information booth at PRIDE to promote our programs and services to the community. We participate in many outreach events throughout the year, from resource fairs to setting up a table at a library, and these events are often low or no cost. In the wake of re-igniting our outreach in this post-2020 era, we would love to find help with funding increased efforts, starting with a table at Cleveland Pride. Would you like to help? At PRIDE this year we can reserve a nonprofit booth for $300. For a high traffic/prime location booth (preferred), the cost would be $1,000. For $400, we can order staff and volunteer t-shirts, which can be reused for future outreach events. Of course, we will need giveaways for an estimated cost of $2,000. Any leftover giveaways or funding would be used to support our overall outreach efforts and to help those impacted by adoption to find support. If you would like to support our outreach efforts, including PRIDE in the CLE, visit our website and donate via EFT or credit card, click "tribute gift/honor of" and make the tribute name OUTREACH by April 24th. https://ow.ly/SW5m50R5XXs

Thank you People's Postcode Lottery for giving Young And Mindful CIC this opportunity to do great work within the LGBT+ community. Postcode Community Trust is a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People's Postcode Lottery. The funding awarded to Young And Mindful will provide support to improve the mental health of LGBT+ in North Wales. Young And Mindful members will use their 'lived experiences' to deliver courses aimed at enhancing LGBT+ young people's understanding of themselves. Not only will we be delivering a 14-week course but offering an additional 20 sessions so young people can explore the concept of identity in depth, and make sense of any lived experience of homophobia resulting in negative feelings about their identity. Throughout this journey we teach LGBT+ young people how to enjoy ownership and responsibility for their wellbeing thereby creating a lasting and vital life skill for healthy and happy relationships. We will deliver face-to-face thereby promoting real-life interaction which encourages the building of healthy and positive relationship skills. Our goal is to equip LGBT+ youth with an understanding of the importance of social connection with the local community and the skills required to be present in the real world. Building good mental health and a secure identity that promotes LGBT+ visibility, challenging stereotypes to create a more LGBT+ friendly environment.

Part 2: 6. Healing Spaces Expanding the Vision Encouraged by the success of the initial safe house, Sarah and Alex set their sights on expanding the “Healing Spaces” network. Each new location is tailored to the needs of its community, with some specializing in support for survivors of domestic violence, others for those escaping human trafficking, and still others offering sanctuary to LGBTQ+ youth facing homelessness. Overcoming Challenges Despite their successes, Sarah and Alex face ongoing challenges, from funding shortages to legal hurdles and opposition from some community members resistant to change. Each obstacle is met with resilience, as they leverage media attention, community support, and innovative funding models to sustain and grow the “Healing Spaces” initiative. A Model of Hope “Healing Spaces” evolves into a beacon of hope, not just for the individuals it serves but also as a model for how real estate can be leveraged for social good. The project demonstrates the power of empathy, innovation, and community partnership in addressing complex social issues. Reflection Through the lens of “Healing Spaces,” readers are invited to consider the profound impact that safe, supportive environments can have on healing and rebuilding lives. The story of Sarah and Alex’s partnership underscores the potential for every segment of society, including the business sector, to contribute to the welfare and empowerment of the most vulnerable among us, paving the way for a more inclusive and compassionate community.

✨ PART 2 of 2 ✨ Policy and Communications Intern, Aly Larson, discusses one of Our Children Oregon’s Legislative wins in mental health, HB 2307; otherwise known as the Prohibition of Conversion Therapy use on Minors. HB 2307 was a Children’s Agenda priority that successfully passed in 2015 that prohibits licensed professional mental health providers from using discredited “conversion therapy” on minors for the purpose of attempting to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. This ban was desperately needed because of the proven harmful effects that conversion therapy inflicts upon LGBTQ+ individuals, especially LGBTQ+ youth. Because of the collective advocacy efforts of Our Children Oregon, Children’s Agenda partners and community members, HB 2307 was passed to protect LGBTQ+ youth from the harmful effects of conversion therapy. If you are interested in supporting Our Children Oregon’s efforts to activate legislative change for Oregon’s youth, please consider making a donation to our “15 by 30” Campaign. Our Campaign aims to make Oregon a top 15 state for child-wellbeing by 2030, and all funds raised will support OCO's efforts to provide essential outreach, advocate for policy change, and invest in programs that uplift youth. Link to Donate! --> https://buff.ly/47TKpZ6 💫 - - - #ourchildrenoregon #childrensagenda #pnw #pnwkids #pnwfamily #oregon #portland #pdx #pacificnorthwest #oregoncoast #portlandoregon #everychildmatters #progessnotperfection #childrenshealth #literacy #earlychildhood #education #educationmatters #salemoregon #bendoregon #corvallis #policy #advocacy #students #kidscount

✨ PART 1 of 2 ✨ Policy and Communications Intern, Aly Larson, discusses one of Our Children Oregon’s Legislative wins in mental health, HB 2307; otherwise known as the Prohibition of Conversion Therapy use on Minors. HB 2307 was a Children’s Agenda priority that successfully passed in 2015 that prohibits licensed professional mental health providers from using discredited “conversion therapy” on minors for the purpose of attempting to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. This ban was desperately needed because of the proven harmful effects that conversion therapy inflicts upon LGBTQ+ individuals, especially LGBTQ+ youth. Because of the collective advocacy efforts of Our Children Oregon, Children’s Agenda partners and community members, HB 2307 was passed to protect LGBTQ+ youth from the harmful effects of conversion therapy. If you are interested in supporting Our Children Oregon’s efforts to activate legislative change for Oregon’s youth, please consider making a donation to our “15 by 30” Campaign. Our Campaign aims to make Oregon a top 15 state for child-wellbeing by 2030, and all funds raised will support OCO's efforts to provide essential outreach, advocate for policy change, and invest in programs that uplift youth. Link to Donate! --> https://buff.ly/47TKpZ6 💫 - - - #ourchildrenoregon #childrensagenda #pnw #pnwkids #pnwfamily #oregon #portland #pdx #pacificnorthwest #oregoncoast #portlandoregon #everychildmatters #progessnotperfection #childrenshealth #literacy #earlychildhood #education #educationmatters #salemoregon #bendoregon #corvallis #policy #advocacy #students #kidscount

Our partners at the Children, Youth, and Family Funders Roundtable recently released a primer on the impact of anti-LGBTQ+ policy on children and families. Please take a moment to read this short but important discussion of the current status of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, the impact these laws are having on young people and their families, and what we, as a community of funders, can do to support LBGTQ+ youth. #thrivingyouth #lgbtqia #philanthropy https://lnkd.in/ebNKBhmx

🌟 **FLEMSR: Empowering Resilience and Inclusion** 🌟 Are you or someone you know facing challenges during times of crisis? Look no further than **FLEMSR** – a comprehensive resource dedicated to supporting individuals like you. At **FLEMSR**, our mission is to bridge gaps, foster resilience, and empower individuals by providing equitable access to critical services. Whether you're economically disadvantaged, disenfranchised, part of the LGBTQ+ community, a veteran, homeless, or dealing with mental health diagnoses, **FLEMSR** stands by you. Here's what we offer: 🔹 Emergency Assistance: Immediate access to food, shelter, and basic necessities. 🔹 Legal Aid and Advocacy: Legal representation for civil rights violations and advocacy for marginalized communities. 🔹 Health and Wellness: Mental health resources, counseling, and LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare providers. 🔹 Job Training and Employment: Job placement services and entrepreneurship support. 🔹 Community Engagement: Safe spaces for networking, cultural events, and volunteer opportunities. Accessing **FLEMSR** is simple. Visit our website at [www.flemsr.org](https://www.flemsr.org) or call our toll-free helpline at **1-800-FLEMSR-HELP**. Remember, resilience begins with community. Together, we can overcome any crisis. Explore **FLEMSR** and share it with those who need it most. Let's empower resilience and inclusion together. #ConnectingCommunities #TransformingLives

In New York City, around 1,000 young adults age out of foster care each year, and about 20% of them become immediately homeless. Communities like Homeward Central Harlem -- a supportive housing development in Harlem with services for LGBTQ+ young adults -- provide on-site supportive services such as counseling, case management for residents to access financial and health care benefits, connections to community resources, group activities, and skills-building programs. Here's the thing. We know how to end homelessness. It's to provide supportive housing that benefits individuals and families, provides the stability they need, and also ends up costing less than cycling individuals through jail and emergency rooms. This is the model for moving forward. And it's why nearly a fifth of our tax credit investments are in permanent supportive housing at Enterprise Community Partners. Because we know it works. https://lnkd.in/eDsA_jzt