Stonewall Activism Summer School:

SASS participant application 2010.doc

What is Stonewall Activism Summer School (SASS)?

A FREE four day long training for young community organizers and activists ages 13-21 to discuss and take action about the issues that are affecting our lives.

How do I apply?

Please fill out our SASS Participant Application and return it to us via our email speakersbureau@stonewallyouth.org or mail it to us at Stonewall Youth PO BOX 7383 Olympia, Washington 98507. All applications are due by August 6th. You will receive a confirmation by email that your application was received as well as a follow up phone call.

What Happens at SASS?

Participants at SASS follow a week-long schedule which includes “training for trainers” workshops in the morning which work to create skills and tools for organizing and facilitation. In the afternoon, guest facilitators come and do workshops on a number of topics including (but not limited to) racial justice, body image, trans empowerment, art and activistm, etc. In the evenings there are different activities planned; nature walks, a talent show, and a dance party!

Who is Stonewall Activism Summer School for?

SASS is for all young people ages 13-21 who are looking to gain tools and skills to organize in their communities, schools, and workplaces. SASS is sponsored by Stonewall Youth which supports Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Question, Queer and Intersex young people but this training also welcomes allies who identify as straight.

When and Where is it?

The dates for this year's SASS are Wednesday August 25th through Saturday August 28th. SASS will be held in downtown Olympia, and the exact location will be sent to you after you submit your application. In the last two years young people have come from all over Washington (and a few out-of-staters too) to participate and learn how to create change in their communities! Participants need to find their own ride into town, but we can also help you brainstorm carpool and bus options.

Housing:

Community housing is provided free of charge for all out of town participants of SASS. You are also welcome to stay in your own accommodations if but if you are under 18 they will need to be ok’d with a parent/guardian.

Food:

Food is made and donated by local community members and businesses. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided and participants are expected to provide their own dinner.

If you have any questions, please email Stonewall Speakers’ Bureau at speakersbureau@stonewallyouth.org or call our office at 360-705-2738.

GLBTQQIA Youth Support Group

Meets every Wednesday from 5-7pm.


Stonewall Youth's weekly Support Group is a great place to come and make friends, get support, and build a fabulous and loving community. This is an opportunity to share what's going on in your life, both your successes and your struggles. Youth are able to get support and feedback from peers, as well as adult facilitators, who are present at each support group.

The location of Stonewall Youth is confidential, but after a brief telephone intake you will be invited to join us for group and all of our fun programs and activities available to youth!

Each person who uses Stonewall's services for the first time needs to call ahead of time and go through a phone intake. We do this so can make sure that you are able to get the support you need and also so that we can keep the confidentiality of our office. When you call you will probably talk to one of our staff members; Colleen, JP or Emily or possibly our workstudy student Rachel. Once we know that you are interested in coming to hang out with us at Stonewall, we will start filling out an intake sheet with you over the phone.

What's your name?
How old are you?
What school do you go to (if you go to school)?
Does your school need any resources about LGBTQQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual) issues?
What town do you live in?
How did you hear about us?

We ask you these intake questions so that we can know how to help you best. However, throughout the process, feel free to ask us anything that's on your mind. The whole questionaire takes about 5 minutes max.

When you come to the office for Group or other activities, one of the staff or one of our adult facilitators will have a quick one on one meeting with you. This is so that you can get to know us and our services a little bit better and we can match you up with any resources or activities that you may be particularly interested in. Think of it as a more extended phone intake interview. This probably takes about 5-10 minutes as well.

If you need support and are uncomfortable sharing in a group setting or would like to come and meet with Stonewall staff members, feel free to call us at the office or pull us aside at group or any other Stonewall Youth event. We are here for you and would love to help support you and provide what ever resources we have available.

To join us at support group call 360-705-2738 for a quick phone intake.

The Speakers’ Bureau

Stonewall Youth’s Speakers’ Bureau is made up of youth ages 21 and under who identify as GLBTQQIA. Members speak to audiences at schools, community organizations, social service agencies, and public events about their life experiences as LGBTQQI youth. Members of the Speakers’ Bureau learn how to facilitate workshops, plan events and also teaching tools such as popular education and theatre of the oppressed. Youth who want to participate in the Speakers’ Bureau will receive compensation for their time as well as weekly trainings.
Speakers’ Bureau organizes two major events each year; Stonewall Winter Retreat (also known as Gay Camp) and Stonewall Activism Summer School (SASS).

If you are a teacher, a high school or middle school student, social worker, community member, or anyone who could use a training to improve your resources in your workplace, classroom or agency, we would be more than happy to set up a training for you. We specialize on issues relevant to LGBTQQ youth, such as (but not limited to):
•sexual violence and homophobia

•homophobia, transphobia, sexism and heterosexism 101

•systems of oppression

•how to be an ally

•anti-bullying

•homelessness among LGBTQQ youth

•domestic violence and sexual assault in LGBTQQ youth communities

•LGBTQQ youth in schools

•support and resources for GSA (“Gay/Straight Alliance”) school groups

•gender identity

•community building in groups

For more information contact: Emily Pieper- Program Director at emily@stonewallyouth.org or SY Speakers’ Bureau at speakersbureau@stonewallyouth.org.

Stonewall Youth Annual Winter Retreat (Also known as Gay Camp)

Stonewall’s Annual Retreat is a 3 day overnight excursion just outside of Olympia, Washington. The retreat is a great place for young people ages 21 and under to meet other folks from all over Washington, learn a lot of cool stuff and of course… be fabulously gay!

Organized by the Stonewall Youth Speakers’ Bureau, Camp includes workshops, art, sports, a talent show and dance party. Workshops cover multiple topics, and are lead by youth from Stonewall and visiting facilitators from other community organizations. Workshops in the past have ranged from analyzing gender, radicalism, youth empowerment, racial justice, challenging our current state of education, and body image.

For more information contact: Emily Pieper, Program Director at emily@stonewallyouth.org

Stonewall Youth Annual Drag Show

Coming up- July 24th, 2010 (See our home page for more details!)

Stonewall Youth has been performing annual drag shows since 2000. This is an opportunity for queer youth to get on stage and share their talent with the community. Every year the show seems to grow, to get more creative and to draw a larger crowd than the previous year. If you are interested in performing in the next show please let us now.

In 2007 we started working with local artists and interns to help direct the show and help us channel our creative ideas. If you are a local performance artist and would like to help, please contact us!

For more information contact: info@stonewallyouth.org or call 360-705-2738.

Free Art Therapy for LGBTQI Youth

Stonewall Youth, in partnership with Partners in Prevention Education, is pleased to present the next series of Queer Art Heals Your Heart, for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex youth ages 14-21. This project is funded through a two year grant from the Victims of Crime Act to provide free group sessions for LGBTQI youth who have been subjected to crimes such as abuse assault hate/ bias crimes homicide kidnapping property crime and robbery. Youth are not required to report the crime in order to access to these services. There is no fee for participation, therapy is also available outside of the group activity, and pizza and snacks will be provided.

This expressive art series combines art with counseling and is co-facilitated by mental health counselors Teresa Guajardo, MA, and Angelina Renes, MA. Each series will help youth work through the emotional and physical impact of victimization addressing issues such as shame, grief, loss, anger, isolation, and fear. There will be an emphasis on building self-esteem, health, and safety. This is a closed therapy group, requiring advance registration and full attendance.


For more information contact: Carol Lentz from Partners in Prevention Education at 360.357.4472

Pizza Klatch

Pizza Klatch is a grassroots collaboration between school counselors, faculty, and GSAs (Gay Straight Alliance clubs) from Timberline, Tumwater, Avanti and North Thurston High School; therapists in the community (including an LICSW who consults and supervises all the facilitators every month); PFLAG-Olympia (Parents, Friends, and Family of Lesbians and Gays); PIPE (Partners in Prevention Education); Stonewall Youth; and St. Benedict's Episcopal Church (which happily releases their Vicar as one of the facilitators of the group each week).

Pizza Klatch offers facilitated support for GLBTQ youth and their allies. The support is offered during high school lunch periods, with free pizza, to provide a convenient and safe forum for the discussion of topics important to these youths. There are currently 4 high schools which we provide pizza and facilitators for, sponsoring 2 lunches each per week. We typically have about 8-20 students per lunch.

For more information: Check out Pizza Klatch's website at www.pizzaklatch.org or email Program Director Emily Pieper for more information emily@stonewallyouth.org.