Out Center

“Expenses library & media 82 office expenses 374 telephone & internet 1,693 postage & shipping 100 miscellaneous expense 500 insurance 2,025 advertising/promotion 1,038 contract services 14,510 fund raising expense 652 memberships & subscriptio 439 office equipment rental 1,991 payroll fees adp 1,206 program expenses 5,340 program: holiday pride 2,375 program: lake effect 5,430 website design & maintena 1,603 credit card & paypal fees 531 contributed professional 17,987 non-investment depreciation 2,203 total 60,079”

“Furniture and equipment 15,216 15,216 less accumulated depreciation 8,189 10,392 total 7,027 4,824”

“To provide support and advocacy for respect, understanding and nondiscrimination to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (lgbtq+) and allied persons and their families in southwest michigan.”

“Adults, teens, and families support - families and allies - two annual outreach events convened more than 280 lgbt+ people, their families, and allies to educate about needs, challenges, and build communities of support. Strategic partners received "communities that care" awards and a courageous ally received "ally of the year" award. Adult support group sessions - 57 sessions convened for 201 people and included adding 3 new group sessions. Donated services provided by professional therapists, social workers and college interns for a total of 178 hours provided by 10 professionals. Teen programs - 16 genders and sexualities alliance(gsa)sessions convened throughout the mostly rural tri-county area, including 3 "pop up" meetings at other sites. Meeting cirricula provided educational and leadership development activities. Average attendance was 7.6 people per meeting. Provided technical assistance to 2 schools in the development of new gsas at their locations, additional assistance to 3 schools with their existing gsa's, and 1 district-wide technical assistance session to 15 school-based educators and counselors. Technical assistance was provided 6 times to schools regarding challenges faced by individual students.”

“Drop in center - open 5 days a week throughout the year. Provided safe and welcoming space for lgbt+ people, their families, and allies. Provided vetted referrals to callers and walk-ins. Provided free access to wifi, educational library, and dvd collection.”

“Education and civic engagement - provided diversity and inclusivity workshops to 4 school personnel and/or youth program groups to 129 educators and administrators, with 3 additional workshops to social service and public facing organizations to another 29 professionals. Hosted an educational forum on lgbtq+ laws on both a national and state level with the aclu of michigan and participated in a panel discussion and community forum on hate crimes with local law enforcement and the michigan department of civil rights. Participated in the development of a non- discrimination ordinance with the st. Joseph city council. Participated in ongoing dialogue and education around the status of the elliot-larsen civil rights act that excludes lgbtq+ people from protection against discrimination. Held a community event for transgender people and their families titled "name changes, gender markers, & the law" which provided michigan paperwork and assistance in completing the forms. Outreach and support through an impromptu "back porch forum" with guest speakers on advocacy and civil rights. Approximately 65 people were in attandance, concurrent with a protest occurring in front of the organization. Tabled 3 community events throughout the year, providing information and resources to lgbt+ people, their families, allies, and the institutions that serve them, including foster care services, adoption agencies, and social service organizations. Hosted a free rotating art exhibit with 4 opening night events throughout the year. An estimated 200+ people attended. All featured artists are queer and often touch on queer themes in their work. Artists are present during the opening night event to engage with community members. Supported 2018 mid-term education and youth engagement. "kids to candidates" project was a youth-led initiative surveying local candidates on their stance on lgbtq+ issues with online published results. Conducted multiple meetings throughout the year with faith leaders of different backgrounds to establish inclusive resources for lgbtq+ people of faith as well as advocacy on behalf of the community.”