Sheltering Dreams:
The Campaign to Create A Home for LGBTQ+ Youth in Lower Alabama
We are embarking on an ambitious fundraising campaign to establish a dedicated LGBTQ+ youth center. Our mission is to establish a transformative and safe space for LGBTQ+ youth in southwest Alabama, fostering a nurturing environment, providing comprehensive support, and creating a pathway to empowerment.
Will you join us?
DONATE NOWOur Vision
Our comprehensive approach to serving LGBTQ+ youth in southwest Alabama extends beyond individual programs and initiatives. With the creation of a dedicated LGBTQ+ youth center, we aim to provide wrap-around services to create an ecosystem of support that surrounds and uplifts the youth we serve:
Mental Health Services
Offering virtual therapy sessions to ensure accessibility and privacy for those facing barriers to in-person care.
Educational Support
Providing resources, tutoring, and homework assistance to help LGBTQ+ youth succeed academically.
Career Development
Equipping youth with job search resources, resume building, and access to computers and printers for employment-related needs.
Housing Assistance
Supporting housing-insecure youth with private and secure areas, including changing rooms, bathrooms, and lockers.
Gender-Affirming Resources
Offering a walk-in closet as part of our Prism Wardrobe initiative, providing clothing options for gender diverse youth.
Legal Advocacy
Informing youth about their legal rights, anti-discrimination laws, and available resources to address any potential legal challenges they may face.
Special Events & Workshops
Hosting events, presentations, and workshops by our partner organizations and businesses to provide additional opportunities for growth, learning, and community building.
Spaces Designed for Empowerment
Your support of this campaign will actualize our efforts to establish inclusive spaces that provide a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ youth, where they can freely express their identities and find a supportive community. These spaces include:
Spaces for Programming & Productivity
An open and spacious conference hall for activities, discussions, and support group sessions. A separate community room for childcare during support group meetings, allowing parents to participate while their children engage in supervised activities. A business center offering computers, printers, and materials for homework and job searches.
Spaces for Privacy & Tranquility
A drop-in center with access to a kitchen, dining room, showers, lockers, and laundering services for housing-insecure LGBTQ+ youth. A study room, nap room, and outdoor space for relaxation and quiet activities.
Spaces for Administrative Work
Dedicated workspaces for support staff and potential future positions, such as an in-house therapist and case manager. A designated space for administrative needs to support the overall effectiveness of Prism in delivering its vital services to LGBTQ+ youth.
Why Now?
In the face of growing adversity and hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals, the creation of this center has never been more urgent. Recent discriminatory legislation and hate-driven incidents highlight the need for a secure space where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive without fear. Amidst this backdrop, the urgency of the Sheltering Dreams Campaign becomes undeniable.
It is essential to counteract local and state issues by establishing an unwavering beacon of support, empowerment, and resilience – a dedicated LGBTQ+ youth center that offers solace, education, mental health resources, and a safe community. As the forces of adversity mount, the campaign seeks to stand strong, creating a lasting testament to inclusivity, acceptance, and the unwavering commitment to the well-being of LGBTQ+ youth in southwest Alabama.
How You Can Make a Difference
We invite YOU to be a cornerstone of change and acceptance. Your contribution to the Sheltering Dreams Capital Campaign can shape a brighter future for LGBTQ+ youth in southwest Alabama:
- Make a direct donation to support the acquisition of the center and its life-saving operations.
- Pledge your commitment over multiple years to ensure enduring impact.
- Explore naming opportunities to leave a lasting legacy within the heart of our center.
- This campaign is a call to create a sanctuary that embraces diversity, ignites potential, and fosters resilience. With your partnership, we can establish a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ youth, providing vital resources and a supportive community that nurtures growth and empowers them to rise above adversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
This campaign addresses a critical lack of resources and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth in southwest Alabama, offering comprehensive support and empowerment.
Your donation directly contributes to acquiring and operating the LGBTQ+ youth center, creating an environment where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive.
Discriminatory legislation and a hostile environment have heightened the need for a safe and empowering space for LGBTQ+ youth.
It provides mental health support, educational resources, career development, housing support, gender-affirming resources, legal advocacy, and engaging events and workshops, all in one central location.
Absolutely. Your support lays the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ youth.
You can spread awareness, volunteer your time, skills, or expertise, and explore various ways to contribute beyond monetary donations.
Yes, funds will be allocated transparently and efficiently to create a nurturing and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ youth.
Yes, multi-year pledges are welcome and help provide consistent resources for the center’s operations.
Yes, naming opportunities allow you to leave a lasting legacy of support and inclusivity.
We are committed to keeping our supporters updated through regular communications, newsletters, and event invitations. Together, we can turn the dream of a safe and empowering space into reality.