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Outright Vermont is committed to building a Vermont where all youth have hope, equity, and power.
The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey of middle and high school-aged students underscores the fact that having supportive adults and an inclusive community is critical for the mental health of LGBTQ+ children and teens.
It’s not difficult to understand that the enforced isolation of this past year’s pandemic response has taken a toll on those young people who were already feeling isolated.
To provide some level of support and fill the void, Outright Vermont’s Friday Night Group, which has met every week since 1989, kept meeting virtually through the pandemic, ensuring that our young LGBTQ+ neighbors continued to have access to an inclusive community.
The office and Youth Drop-In Space in Burlington’s Old North End is right across from the new Mascoma Bank office in Jake’s ONE Market at 242 North Winooski, Ave. “Having the support of businesses that are visible from our very windows here is such a gift,” said Outright Vermont’s associate director, Amanda Rohdenburg. “Mascoma Bank’s donation has allowed Outright Vermont to continue to offer our services virtually at this critical time.”
More specifically, Amanda said, “Funding like that created the flexibility we needed this year to make our programs responsive in this moment. Mascoma’s gift has helped us maintain our family programming, such as Panorama for adult caregivers of youths of any sexuality and gender identity, and Transparent for adult caregivers of trans, gender-expansive, and gender creative youths.”
To find out how you can help Outright Vermont “make it better,” per their motto, or to access their support, visit Outrightvt.org.