In November, the St. David’s Foundation awarded Out Youth $100,000 over two years to help us expand counseling services in area Title I schools.

By the end of the two-year grant period, Out Youth will expand services to at least 9 middle and high schools, serving LGBTQ+ youth who may experience barriers to receiving services at our drop-in center. Out Youth is proud to partner with Communities In Schools of Central Texas to offer both psychoeducational support groups and individual counseling services.

Out Youth is also honored to partner with the University of Texas at Austin’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Health and Rights Lab as we develop an evidence-based curriculum to promote the mental health and wellness of LGBTQ+ identified students. Should this research-driven curriculum prove successful, Out Youth will be able to share these best practices with other school districts and community-based organizations throughout Texas.

As a result of this funding, Out Youth has hired a full-time clinician to provide school-based services. Renée Randazzo, LPC-Intern, brings extensive experience with the LGBTQ+ population and teens in the school setting. Renée’s prior experience includes work with Fenway Health and Boston GLASS (Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services), and she has researched and delivered innovative curricula to middle and high school youth on topics related to gender and activism.

As an opportunity grant recipient, Out Youth will strive to find innovative ways to collaborate with our partners to promote the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth in Central Texas.