They Found Out Youth
They found themselves at Out Youth
Every day, we hear stories of queer youth who are victims of bullying, confronting religious intolerance, dealing with issues of race and identity, and worst of all, living in families that neither love or accept them for who they are.
Thankfully, youth in Central Texas have had Out Youth – a place where they could get access to programs and services that helped them thrive, not just survive.
But we can’t do this important work alone!
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Together, we can build a stronger community by building stronger youth.
With your help, it can get better now.
About UPG Video
Last spring, UPG Video Marketing launched the “Video for Change” nonprofit video contest. Entrants were asked to submit a short video explaining how a UPG Fundraising Video would help them change their world.
Here’s what Out Youth submitted:
We went to work immediately with the wonderful team at UPG, working closely with Ben Cecil to develop the concept for the video and making sure that youth were the central focus of their video.
Like their work? Let them know by leaving a comment on their blog, or Like them on Facebook!
Queer Prom 2012
Prom 2012
Out Youth's most cherished event, the annual Queer Prom, is a great chance for youth and adults to make special memories of their very own.
This year's Queer Prom will again be hosted by Whole Foods Market on their Terrace which overlooks downtown Austin!
Purchase tickets today, or at the door. Youth tickets (for those 19 and younger) are $10, though no youth will be turned away. Adult tickets (for those 20 and older) are $25.
If you are an adult and would like to attend for free, you can volunteer at the event! We need plenty of help setting up, and would love your help! Just click on the link above to get started.
Entertainment
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DJ C-Rail |
God-Des and She |
Prom Schedule
7pm-10pm - All ages
10pm-Midnight - Youth (19 and younger)
Attire
This year's Prom theme is "Moulin Rouge meets Masquerade" so dress accordingly!
Volunteer
We always need help running prom. Click here if you'd like to volunteer!
Event Details
525 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78703
United States
| Youth Ticket (23 and younger) | $ 10.00 |
| Adult Ticket (24 and older) | $ 25.00 |
Farewell Reception
Out Youth’s board of directors would like to invite you to a reception in honor of Candice Towe, our fearless outgoing Executive Director, this Sunday at 3:30pm at the Out Youth House.
We’d also like you to meet Jim Rainbolt, who we’re happy to announce will be Out Youth’s Interim Executive Director while the board of directors conducts a search for a permanent executive director.
We will have some light refreshments and cake, and hope that you can join us to wish Candice well on her next adventure.
It’s Picnic Time!
Join us for a community picnic organized by our friends at the Transgender Education Network of Texas, and co-hosted by allgo and Out Youth!
This is a potluck picnic, so please bring your favorite side dish. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided, but if you have special dietary needs, you may want to bring your own to put on the grill.
Water and some soda will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own, however NO ALCOHOL will be allowed at the event.
Directions
The picnic wil be held at Patterson Neighborhood Park, which is located just east of IH-35 off Airport Blvd.
4200 Brookview Road
Austin, Texas 78722
(map)
We will be under the covered pavillon, so look for the TENT banner and all your friends!
A Note from Candice Towe
Dear Out Youth Family,
Yes, it’s true. My last day as Executive Director of Out Youth will be March 30. I will then begin in a new position at El Buen Samaritano.
I sincerely appreciate having had the opportunity to work with and for you. Many thanks to each and all of you for the support, guidance, and encouragement you have provided me during my time at Out Youth. I truly believe that together we have positioned the agency for its own next big adventure and that over the next five years Out Youth is going to WOW this community!
Even though I will miss everyone dearly, I am looking forward to the challenges of my new position at El Buen and to starting a new phase of my career. Meanwhile, I’m here until March 30 to support my team and prepare for the transition, so please feel free to call or visit!
With respect, love and faith,
Candice
An Important Announcement from Out Youth
Dear Out Youth Family,
It is both with excitement for Candice, and with a heavy heart, that I write to you today on behalf of the Out Youth board of directors. After three amazing years as Out Youth’s fearless executive director, Candice Towe has accepted another role at a local nonprofit, and will be leaving us at the end of the month.
Candice set out to build a more sustainable Out Youth by increasing Out Youth’s impact in our community and developing a longterm strategy for continued growth. I would say that she has succeeded, and that Out Youth is primed for the future. We will miss Candice’s boundless energy, kind heart, dynamic vision, and devotion to the youth we serve.
With the commitment of Out Youth’s board of directors, the dedication of the wonderful staff, the passion of Out Youth’s many volunteers, and the youth who benefit from our services, we will continue forward with the planned expansion and implementation of new programming. In the coming days, the board of directors will set out on a search for a new executive director and Candice has pledged to make herself available for an ongoing dialogue throughout the transition.
Although it will not be easy to see Candice move on, the board is confident that Out Youth’s best years are yet to come. We wish her well in her next chapter, and we are confident Candice will remain forever an active member of the Out Youth family.
Aubrey Wilkerson
Chair, Out Youth Board of Directors
Building Stronger Communities
As we prepare to transition into February, we pause to give thanks to all of you who have supported Out Youth throughout 2011 and the beginning of 2012 with your philanthropy, special events, volunteerism, and advisement.
January seemed especially quick but amazing!
Both Lipstick 24 and Rusty’s sponsored special events with proceeds benefitting to Out Youth. Corporate partnerships with Comerica Bank, Facebook, and Google are also developing with aims to support Out Youth’s vision while expanding to meet needs of the youth and young adults we serve with more practical life skills programs and tutoring.
We are also continuing our research into social enterprise models with hopes of establishing a program that will provide employment, housing, and educational pathways to success for our youth and young adults.
Out Youth has also begun the design and implementation of its Youth Leadership Institute to better support our youth and young adults in gaining the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to pursue their dreams and goals. Board development training will also be offered to help prepare youth ages 12-17 and young adults ages 18-23 to serve on the Board of Out Youth.
There’s so much coming up and going on at Out Youth. Make sure you check out our Calendar of Events, and sign up to ride or run with Out Youth at this year’s Hill Country Ride for AIDS!
Thanks Volunteers!
It goes without saying that Out Youth relies heavily on the generosity of volunteers’ time and talents.
We were so lucky to have a new (volunteer) volunteer coordinator, Laura Luthy, join us in 2011. Together with Jake Gonzales, they have redesigned our system of volunteer recruitment, participation and tracking.
These changes, while small, have made life so much easier for our existing volunteers, helps to more readily connect volunteers and their interests, and ensures we keep Out Youth staffed with volunteers that understand the unique needs of our youth and young adults.
Want to get involved? Find out more about volunteering!
Howdy Partners
Wow, do we feel lucky to have such great partners in doing this very important work!
Whole Foods went above and beyond supporting Out Youth in 2011, and has pledged to sponsor the Annual Queer Youth Prom and Out Proud for the Holidays community party in 2012!
The Cord Shiflet family hosted the Glitz last fall and has offered to host the annual party again in 2012, while Grey Goose promises to reprise their role as the Glitz beverage sponsor!
Meetings with foundations have already begun to take place or are being scheduled while simultaneously we received news that Sir Elton John’s AIDS Foundation will sponsor Out Youth’s KYSS (Knowing Your Status is Smart) Program for a second year!
Local support from IBM, DELL, L Style, G Style magazine, Rock Out Loud, Oil Can Harry’s, Rain, Pink Avocado, and others have invested in Out Youth time and again.
And Mr. Bill Dickson and the Strickland Family Fund continue to provide guidance as we explore the idea of social enterprise.
Our new website, designed by The Lone Star Diva & Co. was launched this past year, and we are working on featured blog posts about our youth, young adults, staff, and volunteers on the home page.
Lastly, keep an eye out for our Annual Report for 2011 which will not only communicate details regarding the state of Out Youth’s finances year end 2011 but also explain our vision for moving forward based on what we are hearing from our youth and young adults, what we’ve been learning from community stakeholders, corporate sponsors, other LGBTQ youth centers, and findings from researched best practices.
Explore the rest of the website to find out more about volunteering or become a sustaining recurring donor!
