LGBTQ/Safe Space training available to adolescent-serving agencies in June

A free training is available to youth- and adolescent-serving agencies on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) 101/Safe Space on Tuesday, June 11 from 9am to 11 am at the Jacksonville Children’s Commission. Space is limited; Register here.

The workshop will increase awareness and understanding of LGBTQ youth and promote safe space for LGBTQ youth. The training will increase participate sensitivity toward LGBTQ teens and will help youth workers create environments that discourage bullying of LGBTQ and other youth in community and school settings.

Objectives include:

  • Develop appropriate language and terminology regarding LGBTQ youth
  • Develop understanding of health, mental health, and social issues affecting LGBTQ youth and the environmental factors that contribute to these
  • Identify perceptions and bias around issues of sexual identity and gender identity
  • Develop awareness of how service providers can create Safe Space: affirming, sensitive, safe and healthy environments to effectively serve LGBT youth and prevent bullying.
  • Identify resources for assisting LGBT people, their families, and their service providers

The training will be conducted by the Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network (JASMYN) in conjunction with the Healthy Start Coalition and JCC. Presenters:

  • Emily Rokosch, Director of Programs at JASMYN, has been working with, supporting and advocating for LGBTQ students for over 8 years. Emily was the founding Director of the University of North Florida LGBT Resource Center and worked as the Director of the University of California LGBT Campus Resource Center for 2 years. Now at JASMYN, Emily works directly with LGBT students ages 13-23 around organizing Gay Straight Alliances and improving school climate. She also supervises youth development programs in the JASMYN youth center.
  • Cindy Watson, Executive Director, has been working with LGBTQ students and youth since 1994, when JASMYN was founded. In addition to being the chief administrator of JASMYN, she has been a trainer and consultant on LGBT issues for over 15 years.

This program is supported in part by the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition with funding from U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau under the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) (Grant No. 90AK0011-01-00).