In the past year, LYG has made significant strides in supporting our community:

Outreach: We served over 330 individual youth through in-house programs, with a total of over 950 attendees at all programs and activities.
Program Development: Our new initiatives, including the Junior Group, Melanin MagiQ, and LYG Rising, are aimed at meeting the diverse needs of our youth.
Family Support: We established a monthly group for caregivers and their kids, to foster stronger relationships, and ongoing support.
Mentorship: We trained approximately 30 mentors to model healthy behaviors and support the growth of LGBTQIA+ youth.
Advocacy: We actively campaigned against harmful legislation, including SB150, and engaged in educational workshops and panels.
Community Engagement: We expanded our presence at Pride parades and festivals, and hosted events to celebrate and empower our community.

Programs

LYG provides an affirming space for youth ages 5-24 to explore their identities, develop life skills, and foster community connections. Our offerings include:

Tween Group: For youth ages 9-13, focusing on identity exploration, developing self-esteem, and building friendship.
Teen Group: For youth ages 14-19, focusing on social connection while exploring one's interests and identities, and learning from queer and trans elders.
LYG Rising: A monthly meetup for young adults aged 18-24, focusing on community building, self-advocacy, and life skills development.
Trans, Non-Binary, & Intersex Group: Providing support and guidance for transgender and non-binary youth navigating their self-discovery.
Family Group: For Caregivers and their children to build community and healthy communication while navigating gender and sexuality development.

Special Events and Community Engagement

Throughout the year, we host numerous events to build community and raise awareness, such as:

Queer Prom: An inclusive alternative to traditional school proms.
Empowerment Camp: A weekend retreat for youth to build confidence and community.
Clothing Swaps & Gender Affirming Haircut Days
Fundraising Events: We hold various events, such as the Pasta Dinner (spring) and Glitter Gala (fall) to support our programs.
Family-Friendly Events, such as: Rollerskating Party, Pool Party, Nature Hikes, Community Service Days, and more!

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on our achievements and the impact we've made over the past 35 years, we remain committed to our mission and to the youth we serve. We are excited to continue expanding our programs, advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights, and fostering a community where all young people can thrive.

For more information about our programs, events, and how to get involved, visit www.louisvilleyouthgroup.org.

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