A life-changing organization that provides a safe space for local youth to be their authentic selves will receive an early Christmas gift.
At its annual holiday meeting on Wednesday night, 100+ Women Who Care Quinte selected SAY OutLoud as its charity of choice to receive a donation. For over 30 years, Support Alternative Youth OutLoud has offered a warm, inviting and safe place in the community for LGBTQ2S+ youth, their families and their allies.
“These are the kids in our community that are often the most vulnerable, the most at risk and challenged with mental health, and lack support in many ways,” Sarah Hopper, an ally with SAY OutLoud informed those in attendance. “They also provide support for allies and parents so that the family can move forward together and be supported together. It’s an amazing organization and I’ve seen it save lives many times.”
Hopper shared a story of a young woman who was in the process of “trying to figure out who she was” but unfortunately, she lacked the support of her family and peers at school.
“She was suicidal,” Hopper stated. “She was at a great loss of where to go and where to find support. Her life changed when she went to SAY OutLoud. She met the people she needed for support.”
SAY OutLoud opens its doors to approximately 20 youths between the ages of 14 and 20 each week at its Belleville location. The program facilitated by Eric Hargreaves offers a free community dinner every Tuesday night along with crafting, leadership and learning activities.
“They don’t have government funding, they just have passion, commitment and a great amount of caring for those kids who walk through those doors,” Hopper explained.
SAY OutLoud is now the 30th local charity to receive a donation from 100+ Women Who Care Quinte. A donation total will be announced at a later date. To learn more about SAY OutLoud visit www.sayoutloud.ca
Since its inception in 2015, 100+ Women Who Care Quinte has donated over $316,000 to charitable organizations in need. The premise behind the group is to gather 100 people together four times per year, with each person or group of four donating $100 so that a local charity or non-profit gets a $10,000 funding boost. To learn more about 100+ Women Who Care Quinte visit their website at www.100womenquinte.com.
Santa informed Sarah Hopper that she made the ‘Nice List’ before
100+ Women Who Care Quinte selected her friends at SAY OutLoud to
receive an early Christmas gift. (Photo: 100 + Women Who Care Quinte)
100+ Women Who Care Quinte presented a cheque for
Community Partners For Success at their annual holiday meeting on
Wednesday night. The charity was successful in securing a donation at
the group’s meeting in September. (Photo: 100 + Women Who Care Quinte)
