Faith & Community

When navigating gender and orientation topics in the intimate realms of faith and community settings, it can often feel like there’s no way through the barriers and often painful disagreements. YES Institute offers education and communication tools that embrace disparate beliefs while allowing space for growth and acceptance.

Our work is designed to be responsive to the unique and deeply personal relationships within faith and community groups. We partner with a wide range of communities committed to finding a path forward so all members stay connected and feel valued.

Our community partners include:

ABC’s for Success
Camillus House
Fellowship House
Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services
His House Children’s Home
The Village
World AIDS Museum

To request an educational training for your community, please visit our Training Request Form here.

I see the urgency of being proactive in creating safe environments. Students may be struggling in silence, and they cannot concentrate on school if they don't feel safe.

Middle school teacher

Before today, I felt all alone. Thank you for providing us with tools to address ‘antigay’ slurs and helping us to become better people!

High school student, Archimedean Academy

I learned new skills to be able to talk to parents when their little girl wants to play with trucks and LEGO toys instead of dolls and the kitchen set.

Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe Training participant

I learned so much today. I’ll admit I felt uncomfortable with transgender people before, and now I feel inspired to be the support system for ALL my students.

Teach For America corps member

In 30 years of teaching, I’ve never had any training around these topics, and it’s so relevant to what we see in our classrooms.

Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe Training participant

Exceeded my expectations! It got me looking at the language I use so I can avoid setting harmful stereotypes for youth.

Early Learning Coalition Miami-Dade/Monroe training participant

After the YES Institute dialogue, I now feel more knowledgeable to support my clients and families.

Staff, Center for Autism & Related Disabilities

This is an organization with a track record of making a real difference in the world. Political victories mean little if the hearts and minds of parents, clergy, and teachers do not change.

Jonathan Lewis Member of YES Institute's Kiaora Society of Donors

Before today I only saw two solutions to arguments: either we agree, or I ‘prove my point.’ Now I can open space for real conversations and relationships.

Amanda, teacher

I learned that just because you are a girl does not mean you can’t do what boys can do.

4th Grade Student

Before today I felt only confusion or frustration towards gay and transgender people. Now I feel compassion.

Human Resources Manager, University of Miami

I haven’t told my father that I’m gay because I’m afraid of his reaction, but now I see that we don’t have to agree for us to live in harmony.

High School Student

I learned that bullying can be a form of communication. I learned how youth might be copying what they see from their parents, and other adults. I learned that we can all make a contribution to stop it.

A Communication Called "Bullying" course participant

The educational work of YES Institute is unparalleled to any other organization I know, locally or nationally. I feel lucky that our students have this precious opportunity of open dialogue and learning on the topics of gender and orientation.

University of Miami, Women & Gender Studies Professor

Opened my heart in a way I didn’t think possible. Now I can initiate a conversation with my mom, even though I’m afraid.

College Student

Every time I take this course I learn something new. This course helped me reflect on my personal life and how I can better the communication within my own family.

Marti Stein, Communication Solutions™ participant

One of the things I learned was how early in a child’s development is the realization of who they are and how crucial my support is for them to be their authentic self.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I learned that people are bullied and targeted based on their gender expression. Not their orientation. I've never thought of that before.

A.D. Henderson High School Student

When I come to YES Institute, I get the rare opportunity to think, investigate and come up with ideas that will actually make a difference.

Barbara Chotiner MDCPS Teacher

It’s important for my students to stop and examine the impact of gender and orientation. It’s easy to forget about the real world from the comforts of the classroom.

Miami-Dade College Professor

Gender is so much more than anatomy. Now I am empowered to listen to our patients and ask questions if I am not sure what the answer is.

University of Miami, Physical Therapy Undergraduate Student

This dialogue redefined my definition of feminity and masculinity and made me feel more secure about being more of a tomboy.

16 Year Old High School Student

I got called ‘faggot’ at seven years old. Some people still call me that. Making fun of someone for who they are or who they like is not okay.

Nova Southeastern University Middle School Student

Completely changed my perspective and made me aware of derogatory terms I may be using unintentionally.

Teacher, Palmer Trinity School

I’ve had these conversations before, but they’ve always been politicized, which made me feel attacked. Thank you for opening my eyes to the importance of providing the best care for everyone!

Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity International Convention

Not everything has to be a battle. Instead of being in a toxic cycle, I can use the new model of communication to speak with others.

Ross, high school student

People bully my brother because he cries sometimes. I even bully him. I learned how bullying can really change someone’s life.

Nova Southeastern University Middle School Student

I am a boy who likes theater and I am assumed to be gay just because of that. Sometimes it really bothers me.

Nova Southeastern University Middle School Student

Changed my life! I feel like—for the first time—I’m seeing people for who they are. This will help save some important relationships.

Social Worker

I learned that being yourself is not a problem and that everyone likes different things.

Nova Southeastern University Middle School Student

I am tired of tripping over my words with gay and transgender patients. Now I feel much more capable to relate to all my patients with respect.

Physician, Citrus Health Network

By far the most candid conversation I have ever had on these topics. The information was authentic and anecdotal, which highlighted easy things I can do to make it safe for my patients.

Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity International Convention

YES Institute has saved my family. It's because of YES Institute that we now have the ability to really listen to each other, inspire healing, seek education, and build a safe and comfortable home.

Jenny Betancourt Graduate Student

Authenticity brings freedom. This course allowed me to be myself and open up more. It made me realize that I am valuable.

Michael, high school student

After taking the course, A Communication Called "Bullying" I plan to begin addressing these topics in our school and community with the various stakeholders including, but not limited to teachers, administrators, support personnel, parents, community leaders and students.

Avis Feldman, Miami-Dade County School Teacher

Powerful- great insight into the impact of language and my responsibility in perpetuating ‘bullying’ culture.

Debbie Rodriguez

Our employees expect us to provide an open culture where diversity of people and opinions is valued. YES Institute's training has paved the way for leadership in this area.

Hal Marshall, Sapient Razorfish People Strategy Team

Now I see how being confrontational actually prevents me from making any positive difference.

Parent

The material made me look at these topics in a new way. It opened my eyes to how gender and orientation show up in medicine. Before today, it was invisible to me.

Medical student Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity

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