Mission Statement
Prism United responds to the comprehensive needs of LGBTQ+ youth in southwest Alabama. Specifically, Prism works to mitigate the psychological, socio-economic, and academic disadvantages caused by repression and victimization.
The culture of Prism is full of wonder and imagination.
Julisa Kidd
Former Board Member
Our Mission, Explained
Our mission is to mitigate the psychological, social, and academic disadvantages that LGBTQ+ youth face because of repression and victimization. That’s a big sentence, but what it really means is this:
When we say psychological disadvantage, we’re talking about the mental and emotional impact of things like bullying, family rejection, or the chronic fear of being outed. Our goal is to create spaces and services that support mental health, build resilience, and help youth feel seen and supported by trusted adults who understand them.
When we say social disadvantage, we mean that many LGBTQ+ young people struggle to find peers and communities where they feel safe and accepted. Prism programs and events create that community, places where youth can express themselves without judgment, build friendships, and experience joy and connection.
And when we say academic disadvantage, we’re acknowledging the very real impact of hostile or unsupportive school environments. Bias, bullying, and lack of affirmation can cause young people to disengage, underperform, or avoid school altogether. By working with schools, training educators, and supporting families, we help create environments where youth can learn and thrive.
So in short, our mission is about reversing harm, expanding opportunity, and building a world where LGBTQ+ youth thrive.
Our Mission In Action
We accomplish this mission in several interconnected ways:
First, we create safe, identity-affirming spaces through programs like Prism Teens, Preteens, and Parents. These weekly groups offer community, mentorship, and emotional support for youth and their caregivers.
Second, we remove barriers to mental health care. Through the Prism Healing Fund and our network of culturally competent clinicians, we help LGBTQ+ youth access affirming therapy, often at no cost to them.
Third, we build supportive ecosystems around young people. We train schools, agencies, and community partners in LGBTQ+ cultural competency, helping institutions better understand and serve the youth they encounter.
Fourth, we celebrate LGBTQ+ lives publicly. Through major events like Prism Prom, Wig Walk, and Come Out Mobile, we create joyful, visible spaces that reduce stigma and strengthen community connection.
And finally, we empower youth voice and leadership. Programs like the Prism Leadership Initiative give teens hands-on opportunities to develop skills, contribute to community projects, and shape the future of LGBTQ+ advocacy in our region.
Values
Diversity & Inclusion
Everyone’s voice matters. We value the breadth, depth, and diversity of experience that each individual brings to our organization. We strive to build an organization that reflects the vibrant diversity of our community.
Safety
We believe that individuals have the best opportunity to thrive in secure environments. We commit to establishing processes that promote healing and reduce harm.
Community
The wellness of individuals is inherently tied to the systems within which those individuals exist. We believe that supporting LGBTQ+ youth requires a holistic approach, advocating for support in familial and institutional contexts. Similarly, we believe that sustaining Prism’s work must be an ongoing effort of the community.
Research
Meaningful decisions should be data-driven. We strive to act in accordance with available social science that speaks to the needs and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth.
Joy
Exuberant self-expression is central to the queer experience. We celebrate the virtue of joy for building self-love, empowerment, and resilience in the individual and for fostering pride and solidarity in the community.
Trust
Trust allows us to speak to each other with openness and honesty and to listen with non-judgmental interest and compassion. We believe that trust is only possible when honesty, transparency, and responsibility are practiced.
Equity
Traditional top-down business models perpetuate systems of inequity. We believe in power with, not power over. We commit to cultivating a cooperative governing ethos within the organization.
Queerness
Radical self-love and acceptance sets people free. We celebrate the way that queerness invites us to embrace the extraordinary diversity of lived experience, challenge cultural biases and assumptions, and deconstruct self-limiting beliefs.