The Rhode Island Foundation has awarded eight LGBTQ nonprofits with Equity Action Fund grants for their efforts in the Ocean State. The funding, totaling $53,140, will help fund a range of initiatives from civil rights and health care to arts and education.
The Equity Action Fund supports projects that meet the needs of the LGBTQ communities in Rhode Island. Guided by a volunteer advisory committee comprised of leaders in the LGBTQ communities, the fund has made more than $1 million in grants to dozens of organizations over the years.
“These organizations strive to ensure the health, safety and fair treatment of every LGBTQ Rhode Islander. In these exceptionally challenging times, the work of these organizations is even more crucial as COVID-19 isolates and restricts social activities, creating additional barriers to services and programs,” said Adrian Bonéy, who oversees the Equity Action Fund grant program at the Foundation.
GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) received $10,000 to support its ongoing youth and civil rights advocacy in Rhode Island.
New Urban Arts in Providence received $4,000 to support the Untitlement Leadership Project, in which low-income youth serving on New Urban Arts’ youth leadership board use writing and art to explore issues of identity, including gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
Project Weber/RENEW received $10,000 to support its project “Beyond the Understanding of Gender,” which reaches out to high-risk trans individuals through street-based outreach, peer connections and social media.
SAGE-Rhode Island received $6,000 to provide training, curriculum development and resource materials to long-term care and assisted living facilities to ensure LGBT culturally competent care. SAGE-RI is dedicated to improving the quality of life for older LGBT adults, through service, education and advocacy.
Sojourner House received $5,000 to provide shelter, housing and supportive services to LGBTQ victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. The supportive services will include clinical therapy, support groups, one-on-one advocacy, empowerment education, free HIV testing, sexual health education and financial literacy education.
Thundermist Health Center in Warwick received $8,000 to support its Trans Health and Wellness Program, which targets adults ages 18 to 25. The grant will enable the organization to expand its on-line social- and community-building events to improve the physical and mental health and wellness of the trans community.
The Steel Yard in Providence received $1,140 to support Camp Sparkle, which trains LGBTQ+ youth ages 14 to 18 in the industrial arts such as learning jewelry- and metal-smithing techniques, welding and large-scale fabrication.
Youth Pride in Providence received $9,000 to support professional development offered through virtual workshops and trainings to decrease homophobia and transphobia in Rhode Island schools, organizations, facilities and businesses.
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