I first heard about GATHER on GLSEN's Web site. I wanted to know more about the group, how they started and when they meet and get them in this Ignite section of Windy City Times for all to see.
I was thrilled to get to speak to Sarah Bendix, the program director.
'As the program director, I am in charge of overseeing most aspects of the program from outreach work to program development to grant writing. We are run by a committee, that I am accountable to, which also helps in all the various aspects of the program.'
Bendix also mentioned what GATHER has been working on currently: 'We have been doing a lot of work in the community and have been working with other agencies to form a Youth Arts Coalition, which is bringing the kind of work we are doing at GATHER to the larger community. So, I feel positive about where the program is right now and about our relationships with other community organizations.'
GATHER began about a year and a half ago out of the Reconciling Ministries committee and Broadway United Methodist Church. 'Reconciling Ministries Network is a national grassroots organization that exists to enable full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the United Methodist Church both in policy and practice,' said Bendix. 'I include this because I believe the original program, while working for this within the church, was also doing outreach along the lines of this mission. Not trying to bring youth into the Methodist Church or convert or anything like that, but more to offer a welcoming church space to people that maybe might not have always thought of churches as places where they would be welcomed.'
The initial mission was to create a space of LGBT youth. The original program director had other obligations and had to leave the position. The program was not running for several months while there was a search for a new director. Sarah came to the program with an arts education background and that has helped shape the focus of GATHER in its present incarnation. 'We are an independent program house and partially funded by BUMC. We started the drop-ins again in June 2003. We are now an arts outreach drop-in for all youth 15-21,' Bendix said.
GATHER has done journal makings/writing exercises, theatre exercises, has been working on creating original material, and has done some visual arts exercises. 'We are working on a survey to gain a better sense of what people are interested in, and to then create a more defined schedule of programming,' she said.
Bendix believes very strongly in the power of engaging in creative activities: 'I think that it helps build confidence and creates certain bridges between people and between the artist and the world. I have heard people say 'Oh, I'm not good at drawing, I'm not an artist, I'm not able to do this, I have nothing to say,' but I believe everyone has something to offer and can create interesting, beautiful, thoughtful work. You are welcomed at GATHER regardless of whether or not you think you belong there, or can do these things or whatever,' said Bendix.
GATHER meets every Tuesday at Broadway United Methodist Church 3344 N. Broadway from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
