BBBS of NYC is committed to inclusion and fostering an open environment that celebrates all dimensions of diversity and actively works towards equity. BBBS of NYC welcomes applications from Bigs, Littles, and families who identify with any race, color, faith, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, place of origin, age, and ability.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
BBBS of NYC is committed to connecting young people of all backgrounds to positive adult mentors who can offer guidance, support and genuine care. To better serve our community, we are expanding our programming to improve support for current Bigs, prospective volunteers and youth who identify with the LGBTQ community.
By offering additional resources, updating our policies and shifting practices, we are providing tools that empower all youth to achieve their full potential. We are working in close consultation with our Big Pride Affinity Group, a community of Bigs, BBBS of NYC staff and other supporters to shape our LGBTQ initiative.
Big Pride is an affinity group of Bigs, BBBS of NYC staff members and other supporters. Big Pride's mission is to help ensure youth of all gender and sexual identities have access to progressive & affirming role models in addition to developing impactful programming for BBBS of NYC.
To learn more about our efforts or to get involved, please contact us at BigPride@bigsnyc.org.
If you would like to make a contribution to support our efforts, please click here. Your support allows us to ignite potential across NYC!
Other Resources in NYC:
LGBTQ Resources for Youth, Mentors, and Families:
The Trevor Project’s Coming Out: A Guide for LGBTQ Young People
The Trevor Project - If you are thinking about suicide and in need of immediate support, please call the TrevorLifeline at 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 to connect with a counselor 24/7/365
Family Acceptance Project’s Supportive Families, Healthy Children publication
HMI (Hetrick-Martin Institute for LGBTQ+ Youth): Through a comprehensive package of direct services: academic enrichment, counseling, arts and culture, job readiness, health and wellness, and services for homeless youth, Hetrick-Martin seeks to foster healthy youth development. Their services are free and year-round.
Mental Health and Family Support
Ackerman Institute for the Family: The Gender & Family Project (GFP) provides comprehensive multidisciplinary services for gender expansive children, transgender adolescents, their families and communities.
The Door: The Door’s mission is to empower young people to reach their potential by providing comprehensive youth development services in a diverse and caring environment. In addition to health, legal, education, counseling and career services, The Door provides a wide range of programs and services geared towards their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning (LGBTQ) members, including: Counseling Services and Recreational and Leadership Activities.
PFLAG NYC (Parents, Families and Friends of LGBTQ People): PFLAG NYC helps parents when they find out that a child is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). Brothers, sisters, and other family members also find information and advice through PFLAG NYC that helps them better understand and strengthen relationships with LGBT loved ones.
Healthcare
Callen Lorde: Callen-Lorde Community Health Center provides sensitive, quality health care and related services targeted to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities — in all their diversity — regardless of ability to pay. To further this mission, Callen-Lorde promotes health education and wellness, and advocates for LGBTQ health issues.
HousingWorks: Housing Works mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts. Supportive services include but are not limited to housing, healthcare, meals and nutritional counseling, mental health and substance use treatment, job training, and legal assistance.
Housing
The Ali Forney Center: The Mission of the Ali Forney Center is to protect LGBTQ youths from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to live independently. They offer a continuum of services.
HousingWorks: Housing Works mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts. Supportive services include but are not limited to housing, healthcare, meals and nutritional counseling, mental health and substance use treatment, job training, and legal assistance.
Advocacy
Anti-Violence Project: AVP empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education, and supports survivors through counseling and advocacy.
Audre Lorde Project: The Audre Lorde Project is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color center for community organizing, focusing on the New York City area. Through mobilization, education and capacity-building, we work for community wellness and progressive social and economic justice. Committed to struggling across differences, we seek to responsibly reflect, represent and serve our various communities.
GLSEN NYC (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Alliance): This chapter supports students and educators, organizes around LGBTQ-affirming public policy, plans teacher trainings, and hosts events for students, educators, parents, and allies. Click herefor their crisis hotline and legal resources.
Resources for College Bound LGBTQ+ Youth
Study.com is a leading online education resource making learning accessible for over 30 million students and educators a month. One goal at Study.com is to inform LGBTQ+ students about critical information regarding their college education and career choices to help set them up for success.
Intelligent is an online resource helping students navigate the college process and helping students identify good fit colleges. Here are guides designed specifically for LGBTQ+ youth to identify good fit colleges.
LGBTQ Centers by Borough
Want to get involved? Learn about the different ways you can support our mission.
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