Two Centre County nonprofit organizations are teaming up for a new mentorship program to empower LGBT+ youth, their friends and allies.
The new Centre LGBT+ Bigs & Littles program is a partnership with the Centre County Youth Service Bureau (YSB) built on the success of YSB’s Big Brothers, Big Sisters in connecting area youth with positive, affirming mentors.
Bigs & Little is a gender-inclusive program that is open to youth of all backgrounds and identities. It builds on the two organizations’ shared mission of strengthening the resilience and well-being of Centre County youth through programming to help them reach their full potential.
“Research shows that LGBT+ youth are at higher risk for negative mental health outcomes due to the pressures of rejection, bullying and other stressors, but research also shows that the presence of positive, accepting and affirming mentors makes a profound difference in the well-being and success of LGBT+ kids,” Cat Cook, Centre LGBT+ executive director, said in a news release.
“We are proud to partner with the Centre County Youth Service Bureau to continue our vital mission of serving, supporting and empowering our local LGBT+ community through this exciting new youth mentorship program.”
Community members interested in volunteering as mentors can sign up for one of two volunteer information sessions.
The first will be held via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5. Attendees should RSVP to Big Brothers, Big Sister program director Rebecca Lord at rlord@ccysb.com no later than 1 p.m. that day.
The second session will take place in person at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at Centre LGBT+, 204 E. Calder Way, Suite 304 in State College. Those attending should RSVP to Centre LGBT+ executive director Cat Cook at info@centrelgbtqa.org no later than Aug. 19.
“The one-on-one mentoring relationships youth build through our programs help inspire and empower the children and youth of our community, and we are thrilled to continue bringing these benefits to LGBT+ youth in an intentional and inclusive way,” Lord said in the release. “We believe that all youth deserve mentors who understand them and their identity, and we are so excited to continue this important work in partnership with Centre LGBT+.”
