Earlier this spring, students at a conference in Southern Florida shared their experiences of bullying within their schools and in their everyday lives. YES Institute’s education team continues to remind us that even in the most unlikely of places, from government buildings to churches and corporate offices, we can almost always find a welcoming friend.
South Florida’s Law Enforcement LGBTQ Coalition kicked off Pride Month by unveiling an LGBTQ+ Pride-wrapped vehicle and then, along with several other communities’ PRIDE police vehicles drove to YES Institute and neighboring communities during their 4th Annual Pride Caravan. The Department of Homeland Security Miami Office reached out to request internal sensitivity training for public-facing employees. YES Institute develops relationships with local, state, and federal agencies and gratefully acknowledges the unsung heroes committed to inclusivity.
Personnel from Catholic Legal Services have reached out to connect some of their openly queer and transgender teenagers to YES Institute’s Youth Empowerment Council. Staff have shared that they continuously learn something new in the educational dialogues. There was one particular person who shared “I am a Cradle Catholic & we are taught to love others as we love ourselves. We need more information to be able to do the right thing.” Riviera Presbyterian Church invited YES Institute to speak at their Sunday Service Pride Celebration. The church hall was decorated with rainbows and congregation members approached our team with personal anecdotes of supporting their gay child or transgender coworker. The stories of allyship were inspiring. Openly queer folks spoke of their gratitude for having an embracing and welcoming church.
Corporate offices are requesting YES Institute’s powerful communication tools providing personnel and volunteers with access to professional and personal breakthroughs by facilitating dialogues on psychological safety in the workplace. YES Institute thanks Baptist Health South Florida, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, L’Oréal, Miami Jobs Corps Center, National Park Services, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, and Vizcaya Museums and Gardens for ensuring a workplace that reflects inclusiveness around gender and orientation diversity.
“This training really made me pause – despite the chaos that can often be my reality! I gained new skills and thoughts about how to serve my team more effectively. The content and the way it was presented was SO valuable, informative, and comforting.” – National Park Service Participant
Youth-serving organizations such as Breakthrough Miami and Mosaic Miami Camp Metrotown continue to invite us to their summer annual conferences and camps to create respectful environments for youth of all backgrounds. Broward County Public Schools requests YES Institute lead a workshop as part of their annual Student Support and Academic Enrichment Conference. School community personnel from teachers to administrators continue to ask what they can do to ensure the well-being and safety of their students.
This pride season YES Institute’s team was reminded of the plethora of people and organizations that seek our resources and trainings. Leaders in religious institutions, corporate offices, and government employees reminded our team that many people are dedicated to being inclusive, welcoming, and respectful just about everywhere, even in unexpected spaces.
YES Institute’s mission is to prevent suicide and ensure the healthy development of all youth, through powerful communication and education on gender and orientation. Our vision is a community in which all youth develop as healthy individuals free of suicide, violence, and discrimination.
If you are a parent or a guardian of a young person and need support in resolving bullying incidents, please reach us at [email protected] or 305-663-7195.
Join us for our upcoming Happy Hour with a Purpose on Thursday, June 27, from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm at Veza Sur Brewing Co. 55 NW 25th St., Miami, FL 33127. We will have raffles and prizes! 30% of drink sales go directly to YES Institute!