SMYRC honors and supports the power of LGBTQ youth to change the world.

Feburary at SMYRC!

SMYRC

Hello wonderful SMYRCers,

As many of you know, change is buzzing around SMYRC these days. We’ve got some exciting things on the horizon, but in order to get there we’ve got to shift our programming back a bit. Since October we’ve been open about 25 hours a week, Tuesday through Saturday, and have had so many fantastic groups along with Friday night drop in hours, thanks to many fantastic volunteers and the facilitation and organization of youth and Steering Committee. We found out recently that we have to cut our hours back to just 15 hours a week. Steering Committee has decided to move back to a three nights a week schedule, so SMYRC will be open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 4-9pm again, starting on February 1st.

Attached is the updated calender for February!

Some other changes that they made were this:
-Steering Committee will be moved from Wednesdays at 6pm to Wednesdays from 7-9pm. The space will be closed to anything but Steering Committee.
-Saturdays will always be an informal Dinner and a Movie.
-GenderCrash (a group for trans and gendervariant youth) will still exist as it does on the second Wednesday of the month from 4-6pm but will be held in the art room for confidentiality.
-Many of the groups you saw the past few months will continue to happen informally for the next few months, during drop in hours—so if you need your fix of art group, creative writing group, feminism, etc, keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates!

More emails and Facebook updates will be sent out in the next few weeks as things continue to transition at SMYRC. Please feel free to send any questions you might have about what is going on, or come by Steering Committee for more regular, in depth updates. Coming to Steering Committee also means that YOU have influence over some of the changes that are happening at SMYRC through this organizational transition.

Other upcoming events:
The Oregon Queer Youth Summit is happening again this spring and it’s up to you all to help plan it! They’ve been meeting Monday early in the evening downtown at Pivot. Contact 1988edominguez or call/text 503.780.5521 for more details.

This Monday, January 30th is Outside the Frame: films produced by young filmmakers who have experienced homelessness: "For the second year in a row Outside In’s Guerilla Theatre youth have created films about issues that are important to them. Young filmmakers first participated in a three-week intensive film internship. Interns learned to use filmmaking equipment and wrote, storyboarded, recorded, directed, acted in and edited their pieces. Youth worked from pre-production to post-production with support from Portland Youth Media to create films based on their experiences, in an effort to inspire and educate their peers and the community."http://www.pcs.org/blog/item/outside-in-screening-original-films-by-homeless-youth/ Doors open at 6:30pm, screening is at 7pm at The Armory– 128 NW 11th Ave. Portland, OR (Voodoo Doughnuts and hot chocolate will be served!)
This event is free and open to the public but please reserve your seat at brownpapertickets.com

See you all in February!

feb 2012 calender.docx

program descriptions.docx

Q Center's Logan Lynn Chats with SMYRC Program Coordinator Bree Abbey About Mergers, Queer Youth, and Growing Pains

As you all have probably heard by now, about 6 months ago it came to the attention of Q Center leaders that critical services provided through the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC) were in jeopardy of vanishing unless a partner organization could be found who was willing to both maintain and grow resources for LGBTQ youth. Q Center stepped up to the plate and on February 1st, we joined forces to ensure these programs and services continue to have a home by merging with SMYRC.

Q Center's Public Relations & Innovations Manager Logan Lynn has been spending some one-on-one time chatting with the newest members of our Q family in the days since and will be rolling out those conversations over the coming weeks.

To start things off, please welcome Bree Abbey, Program Coordinator to Q Center's staff roster!

Logan Lynn: Hi Bree! Thanks for taking a few minutes out of your now even busier schedule to share some of your thoughts on SMYRC and Q Center and this new adventure we are all on together! To begin, tell me how long you've been involved at SMYRC.

Bree Abbey: I have been working with SMYRC for 3 and a half years. I was originally hired as a Youth Risk Reduction Specialist with our now defunct Breathe Free program, Oregon’s LGBTQ Anti-Tobacco Coalition. With that program I worked for both SMYRC and the state of Oregon addressing health disparities (particularly shockingly disparate tobacco use) in the queer and trans community. In this position I advocated for both healthier policies in youth-serving organizations and for LGBTQ-competent/friendly policies regarding health at the state level. When that program lost funding I transitioned into being a lead facilitator for our cultural competency training program, Bridge 13, under the supervision of SMYRC staff member Mehera Scheu. Six months into that position Mehera had just finished graduate school and became a mental health counselor here at SMYRC, so I was selected to replace her as the Bridge 13 Program Coordinator in January 2010.

Logan: Cool. I am really looking forward to the Bridge 13 training you have in the works for Q Center staff, board & volunteers as well. What a great resource to the community that is! So...What brought you to SMYRC initially?

Bree: SMYRC’s reputation in the community definitely preceded it. When I was completing my undergraduate degree in New England I remember hearing fellow students who had visited Portland speak of this vibrant, progressive queer youth organization that had a really successful and unique youth empowerment model. I was Googling SMYRC and fantasizing about working there when I was still technically youth-aged myself. Years later when I was selected for an interview and offered a position with their Breathe Free program almost on the spot, I felt like I was living a dream. Having worked with youth previously in settings where they were often mandated to receive services, I had a lot of experiences with youth clients who were understandably disengaged or resistant to working with me. Coming to SMYRC was like coming home in that all of the youth accessing our services are highly motivated to be here and very engaged.

Logan: That's great. I can totally relate to that feeling of "coming home" and felt something similar when I made the decision to come on board as staff at Q in 2010. Needless to say, there have been some really big changes around both of our organizational "homes" lately. Has this been as strange at times for you as it has been for me? Blending families seems to always come with some growing pains, so I'm guessing you have felt this too.

Bree: Yes. I think both SMYRC and Q Center (as separate entities prior to the merger) were both very invested in the culture and vibe of their organizations and have concrete ideas about what it means to maintain those cultures. I imagine both sides felt pressure to concede to doing business in a way that was not totally comfortable or status quo when making big decisions about how to proceed with the merger and, while the process did not always feel pretty or empowering, we are now at the time and place where we can start working together as a unified whole and really create a big, powerful splash in Portland’s entire LGBTQ community.

Logan: Yes! A tidal wave of programs and services for the communities we love! Aside from said powerful splash, what are your hopes, dreams & ideas about potential positive outcomes of SMYRC & Q Center merging?

Bree: I have a range of hopes and dreams regarding the Q Center and SMYRC merger. In terms of concrete, short-term goals, I hope that SMYRC being under the Q Center umbrella will allow us to fundraise and provide outreach in a way that we have not had the organizational capacity to do previously. I think the merger will allow us to strengthen our existing volunteer program in a way that will benefit both SMYRC staff and youth as well as improve the experience of folks who choose to volunteer with us.

I believe that new connections that will arise from this merger will allow us to expand the scope of community partners educated through our Bridge 13 LGBTQ Cultural Competency training, so that we can disseminate information about creating safer spaces for queer and trans youth in both traditional settings (schools and universities, youth-serving non-profits, after-school programs) and less traditional venues (medical facilities, faith based communities, grocery stores, theaters, etc.) I also imagine that this merger will expose SMYRC youth to even more supportive, positive LGBTQ adult role models, found by GLSEN to be one of the largest protective factors for at-risk youth.

If we are looking at more dreamy, ethereal, long-term goals, I hope for things like a robust, thriving all-ages queer and trans (and allied) community in Portland; open lines of communication between LGBTQ folks of different generations where individuals are fostering meaningful connections in spite of potentially very diverse life experiences; and yet still maintaining safe spaces for the sub-populations within the greater LGBTQ community (youth, elders, people of color, trans and gender non-conforming folks, etc.)

Logan: That sounds amazing. Are there any potential concerns you have regarding the SMYRC/Q Center merger?

Bree: I truly believe SMYRC has been so successful as a social and community space because of it’s dedication to genuine youth-adult partnerships and striving to operate under an authentic youth empowerment model. While it’s true that youth can learn much from their elders, it is important to remember that adults can stand to learn a lot from youth as well. I hope that adult involvement with SMYRC on Q Center’s end includes a willingness and commitment to learning about and respectfully engaging in the youth empowerment process, even if it is challenging initially.

Additionally, because we only moved to our current location two years ago, I worry about the affect of another move. The new community space is beautiful, bigger, and is in the process of being designed by youth, but SMYRC has moved locations in the past and there is always a lull in attendance in the first few months after a move. Participants go through all the normal steps of dealing with that transition - mourning the loss of an old beloved space, literally learning to navigate to the new space, and overcoming initial anxieties about attending our programs in a new building and neighborhood. We are committed to really amping up our outreach and supporting our youth in attending the new space!

Logan: I could not agree more about youth & young adults being our teachers and I stand with you in supporting them through the transition. In your opinion, how can the greater Portland community also support SMYRC youth?

Bree: Portland can support SMYRC in more ways than I can think to name. Of course one of the best ways, for those that are able to do so, is monetarily. We always have a growing wishlist of items that would enhance our space and services but that are out of our budget. Whether a community organization or individual donates $5 a month, one large lump sum, or drops off an item that we were unable to purchase ourselves, they are helping our youth services thrive.

Currently we are in great need of regular donors to provide a warm, nutritious meal for 5-10 youth during each of our open drop-in nights (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). This could be an excellent opportunity for someone who loves to cook, has a relationship with a local grocer or restaurant, or who wants to help SMYRC out without the energy or time to commit to staffing a full drop-in shift. We need adult and youth volunteers to help us table at events – SMYRC gets lots of requests to visit community events that we just don’t have the staff time to attend.

We also simply need community members to spread the word, so folks can tell their friends, neighbors, colleagues, even the stranger sitting next to them on the bus, about SMYRC! The more people and places that advertise our programs, the more LGBTQ youth we can support in Multnomah and Washington County through drop-in hours, GSA support, and community education. On a really broad scale, Portland’s community can support both SMYRC and the Q Center by simply being an ally to our populations – normalizing LGBTQ identities, interrupting problematic language, keeping open minds and helping to shift public perceptions of who “we” are.

Logan: You are a Q Center employee now. What have your perceptions of Q Center been historically?

Bree: I have always perceived Q Center to be a well-loved community space for LGBTQ folks in Portland, with adults and families being most likely to access their services. I think of the Q as a place adults go for community involvement and support, as well as a really lovely venue for community events.

Logan: On the flipside, what do you think Q Center’s perception is of SMYRC?

Bree: I think the Q Center appreciates the work that SMYRC does and sees the value in our programming; I also think we are viewed as passionate about our services (perhaps to a fault) with some tendency toward rabble-rousing. I am concerned both SMYRC staff and youth are perceived as immature or reactive, and am really looking forward to dispelling those perceptions as we grow and bond together as one unified organization.

Logan: Thanks so much for taking some time to chat with me and for being so honest, Bree. Change is always hard (especially when everyone involved cares so much about what's at stake) and I think we are all doing a bang-up job! Anything else you’d like to add about how you feel about our beloved SMYRC program?

Bree: SMYRC is an incredible, beautiful, life-changing place. Of course I mean that for the hundreds of LGBTQ and questioning young people who walk through our doors and find affirmation, support, friendship, safety, and endless glitter – but I also mean that for the volunteers, the donors, the staff, myself. I have experienced so much acceptance, validation and personal growth in the time I have been with this organization – SMYRC truly is an irreplaceable pillar of our community!

-------------------------

To support Q Center's SMYRC Program, CLICK HERE.

Q Center Takes on SMYRC Program, Announces New LGBTQ Services

As of Wednesday, February 1st, SMYRC (Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center) becomes an official program of Q Center. SMYRC was previously a program of Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare. SMYRC serves approximately 700-1,000 unduplicated clients each year ranging in age 12-23. The addition of these services will help strengthen existing youth & young adult programs at Q Center while providing stability to existing SMYRC program elements. SMYRC will occupy a new satellite Q Center office located at 2406 NE Sandy Blvd, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232, beginning mid-March.

The overall goals of these programs and activities is to focus on assets which lead to higher graduation rates, academic success and career readiness in order to give queer youth and young adults the best chance of success in life. Q Center provides a safe space to support and celebrate LGBTQ diversity, visibility and community building and there is no place more important to do that than in youth and young adult communities.

"Over the past six months, Q Center's Board of Directors engaged in a rigorous process to ensure merging the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC) into Q Center was appropriate to our mission, vision and values. After months of due diligence including research and discussions with our community leaders we believe that under Q Center's leadership and guidance, youth and young adult services delivered through Q Center will be a solid fit and will be enhanced by developing multi-level resources. We are poised to accept the responsibility of ensuring LGBTQ youth and young adults have a positive, empowering environment in which to grow and learn."
-Jim Taff, Chair, Q Center Board of Directors

Q Center has worked diligently with Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare, Washington & Multnomah County officials, and SMYRC staff & youth to ensure a smooth transition. The merger adds approximately $190,000 to Q Center’s annual budget adding three full time positions to Q Center’s existing three full time professional staff. Nearly 30% of expected revenue is projected to include private donations and a nominal amount of training fees. Remaining revenue is derived from contracted government services. Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare will remain a partner in this project by providing counseling services currently offered through SMYRC.

“Cascadia enthusiastically supports the merger of SMYRC into Q Center. We believe that the mission and vision of both entities complement one another and will lead to a stronger organization. As a united organization serving the LGBTQ community of all ages, we hope that Q Center and SMYRC will receive the outpouring of well-deserved community support. Cascadia will maintain a partnership with Q Center to ensure that the LGBTQ youth and adults will receive culturally relevant counseling services. “
-Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare

Moving forward, Q Center will maintain youth and young adult services that include activities such as SMYRC drop-in center, "Bridge 13" cultural competency training and social events designed by and for youth and young adults. Q Center will also manage the Washington County Pride Project. This program includes peer and professionally led social and support groups, 1-on-1 resource discussions for adults, families & schools, and social networking opportunities for youth & young adults 14-21 in Beaverton, Hillsboro & Sherwood. The overall goals of these programs and activities are to focus on assets which lead to higher graduation rates, academic success and career readiness.

"I am very thankful for the Q-Center's interest in supporting our center. Our vision is to honor and support the power of LGBTQ youth to change the world. This vision has inspired me to be a better human being, and it has done the same for many others. I hope that as we transition with the Q-Center, it will do it's best to support our legacy of LGBTQ youth empowerment. It's a very important part of our culture at SMYRC.
-Giovanni McKenzie, SMYRC youth

Q Center has retained Miranda May in an interim role to assist with transition logistics and provide guidance to ensure there is no interruption of services during the transition. May is a counselor in private practice, has been working with Q Center’s “We Are Here” youth & young adult program and is a former SMYRC Intern.

“Q Center recognizes the important contributions made by our youth and young adults. In doing so, we are stepping up to ensure LGBTQ youth and young adults have the support they need to achieve a stable living environment, have a pathway to educational excellence and career opportunities that help them thrive in an ever changing world. With deep commitment of our combined professional staff, we are here to engage, challenge, grow and support and look forward to working with community partners, donors and businesses to ensure a bright future for Oregon’s LGBTQ youth and young adults.”
-Barbara McCullough-Jones, Q Center Executive Director


As community members, Q Center encourages you to do whatever you can to help with this process, be it volunteering your time or making a financial or donation of goods and services such as the following needed items: free standing clothing racks, shoe racks, five 6’ folding tables, 2 couches, 2 loveseats, chalk paint, 3 rugs, a stage, a sound system, computers, new digital & movie cameras, games, DVDs, books, food, gift cards and more. If you would like to help out or make a donation, please contact Miranda May - Miranda@pdxQcenter.org.

For more information about Q Center, visit pdxQcenter.org
For more information about SMYRC, visit SMYRC.org

Press Contact: Logan Lynn
(503) 234-7837
Public Relations Manager
Logan@pdxQcenter.org

Oops! Forgot to attach the calender…

Hello again,

I completely forgot to attach the January calender with that email I sent out to you all! Sorry about that–here it is!

january calender.docx

group descriptions jan 2012.docx

January at SMYRC

It’s a little late, but here’s your January calender for SMYRC!

Upcoming events to take special note of:

Friday, January 13th, 4:15pm
Before Drag Night starts, come check out the NEW space that SMYRC will be moving to! We’ll be meeting at SMYRC at 4:15pm to head over as a group.

Wednesday, January 18th, 6pm
Join Steering Committee to start working on the layout of the new space. Where should the drag closet go? What about the hair salon? The art room? The planning starts now!

Thursday, January 19th, 5-9pm
Thursday night Dinner and a Movie presents a special screening of "Austin Unbound", a documentary about a Portland man who is deaf and trans. The screening starts at 7pm, with a talk back afterward with Austin himself. This event is open to all SMYRC volunteers and your friends and family.

Monday, January 30th, doors at 6:30pm, screening at 7pm
The Armory– 128 NW 11th Ave. Portland, OR
(Voodoo Doughnuts and hot chocolate will be served!)
Outside the Frame: films produced by young filmmakers who have experienced homelessness
"For the second year in a row Outside In’s Guerilla Theatre youth have created films about issues that are important to them. Young filmmakers first participated in a three-week intensive film internship. Interns learned to use filmmaking equipment and wrote, storyboarded, recorded, directed, acted in and edited their pieces. Youth worked from pre-production to post-production with support from Portland Youth Media to create films based on their experiences, in an effort to inspire and educate their peers and the community."http://www.pcs.org/blog/item/outside-in-screening-original-films-by-homeless-youth/

This event is free and open to the public but please reserve your seat at brownpapertickets.com

PHEW! Keep an eye out for upcoming emails on even more exciting events happening at SMYRC!

Syndicate content