Youth Pride Services ( YPS ) , a national organization engaging LGBT youth of color, has elected Chris Ferguson as its national president, according to a press release.
YPS began in Chicago as the Youth Pride Center, a South Side organization predominately serving LGBT youth of color. YPS reaches out to LGBT youth of color in cities and towns where they do not have access to an LGBT center. More than 1,500 young people have joined YPS through the organization's website.
The organization started with more than 40 prospects for the position. Ferguson, 17, was the first young male to be an HIV counselor in the Alachua County ( Fla. ) health dept. According to the release, Ferguson "has knowledge, ambition, generosity and talent all working together." He currently attends Santa Fe College, and plans to major in business.
Also, YPS has announced the launch of SERVE, its national program for African American LGBT youth in the military ages 18-25. YPS, in collaboration with 12 local and national military support groups, has been working to develop resources, support and services for African-American LGBT youth who serve the country, on any level and location.
During its initial launch in January, SERVE will accommodate 50 young people. All of the funding for SERVE comes from private donations.
For more info or to donate, email YouthPrideCenter@gmail.com .
Youth Pride Services news release: Dec. 19, 2011
Youth Pride Services is excited about the launch of SERVE, our national program for African American LGBT youth in the military, 18 to 25 years of age. YPS, in collaboration with 12 local and national military support groups, has been working for the past 6 months to develop resources, support and services for African American LGBT youth who serve the country, on any level, at any location.
A national leadership council of 5 LGBT youth currently serving in the military helped to design, develop and conduct focus groups on the needs of African American youth currently serving the country. Some of the top concerns/issues expressed were:
Coming Out
HIV/STI ( both care and prevention )
Inclusion in mainstream LGBT issues
Long distance dating/relationships
Depression
During its initial launch ( Jan 2012 ) SERVE, will accommodate 50 young people. 100% of the funding for SERVE comes from private donations. You can get involved by:
Signing up to be a pen pal to a African American LGBT youth in the military
Signing up to "ADOPT" a SERVE member ( contact us for details )
Donating to the project. 100% of the funding comes from private donations.
For more information please contact us at youthpridecenter@gmail.com
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This Holiday, when you give, give one gift that will help many, consider a end of the year donation to YPS. You can donate right from your email account!