U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
        Here’s how you know
    Goverment symbol**Official websites use .gov**
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
        Lock symbol**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            A lock (
              A locked padlock
                 ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive
              information only on official, secure websites.
 Skip to main content JoinDonate
    About
    About
          About
        
About menu block one
  

        
        What We Do
                Our Impact
                Agency FAQs
About menu block two
  

        
        Our Team
                Careers
About menu block three
  

        
        Agency Overview
                            Budget and Performance Plans
                Disability and Accessibility
                Federal Register Notices
                Open Government
                Plain Writing
                Privacy Policy
                Strategic Plan

  

  
Serve
    Serve
          Serve
        
Serve menu block one
  

        
        AmeriCorps
                            AmeriCorps NCCC
                AmeriCorps State and National
                AmeriCorps VISTA
                AmeriCorps Seniors
                            AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program
                AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP
                AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program
Serve menu block two
  

        
        Volunteer
                            9/11 Day
                MLK Day
Serve menu block three
  

        
        Find Your Fit
                Serve FAQs

  

  
Partner
    Partner
          Partner
        
Partner menu block one
  

        
        How it Works
                            AmeriCorps NCCC
                AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent
                AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP
                AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion
                AmeriCorps State and National
                AmeriCorps VISTA
                Research and Evaluation
                Volunteer Generation Fund
Partner menu block two
  

        
        Partnerships
                Communities and Initiatives
                Funding Opportunities
Partner menu block three
  

        
        Partner FAQs

  

  
Members & Volunteers
    Members & Volunteers
          Members & Volunteers
        
Members & Volunteers menu block one
  

        
        Your Benefits
                Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
                Education Award FAQs
Members & Volunteers menu block two
  

        
        Alumni
                Members in VISTA
Members & Volunteers menu block three
  

        
        Member and Volunteer FAQs
                Safety and Security

  

  
Grantees & Sponsors
    Grantees & Sponsors
          Grantees & Sponsors
        
Grantee & Sponsors menu block one
  

        
        State Service Commissions
                State and National Direct Grantees
                State Subgrantees
                VISTA Sponsors
                Research and Evaluation Grantees
                Volunteer Generation Fund and Days of Service Grantees
Grantee & Sponsors menu block two
  

        
        RSVP Grantees
                Foster Grandparent Program Grantees
                Senior Companion Program Grantees
                Senior Demonstration Program Grantees
                NCCC Project Sponsors
Grantee & Sponsors menu block three
  

        
        Manage Your Grant
                Grantee and Sponsor FAQs

  

  
Newsroom
    Newsroom
          Newsroom
        
Newsroom menu block one
  

        
        News
                Blog
Newsroom menu block two
  

        
        Stories
                Events
Newsroom menu block three
  

        
        In the News
                Communication Resources



  
Contact
    Contact
    JoinDonate
search Breadcrumb

              Empowering America's Youth with Pride
      Submitted by 
rfrazier
 on 
Thu, 06/02/2022 - 13:59Jun 02, 2022
        AmeriCorps Staff
  

                    Pride Month celebrates the LGBTQI+ community and serves as tribute to those who pushed gay rights forward as part of a series of events between police and LGBTQI+ protesters. These events stretched over six days beginning June 28, 1969, the Stonewall Riots, which would become the tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement that grew from “Gay Pride Day” to encompass a month-long celebration. Today, Pride Month also serves as a memorial to those who have lost their lives to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS, as well as a testament to living freely and authentically.

During Pride Month, it’s important to spotlight the valuable contributions of LGBTQI+ individuals across America and reaffirm our commitment to stand in solidarity with LGBTQI+ Americans in their ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. AmeriCorps members who identify as LGBTQI+ and allies across the nation are at the forefront of this movement making strides through service to empower and support community members.

According to The Trevor Project's 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Health, 73% of LGBTQ youth have experienced discrimination and 36% have been physically threatened. This often leads to or is rooted in feeling unsafe in one’s educational or home environment. When youth don’t feel safe in school, that can lead to truancy, leaving school, poor grades, depression, and even self-harm or suicide, according to another report by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian Straight Education Network). AmeriCorps members are at forefront of providing much-needed services to students at-risk.

Meet Miguel, an AmeriCorps member serving with City Year Kansas City. As he transitioned from being homeless, he discovered City Year Kansas City, where he served as a mentor and tutor at public schools. He soon found his footing as an AmeriCorps member and his passion for helping students, especially for those struggling with their identity. Today, Miguel serves as an impact manager where he oversees peers in their own mentorship journey and builds relationships with families and school staff.

“During those first few months of service, I was very skeptical if I belonged at City Year,” said Miguel.  “As someone who barely finished high school myself, I wasn’t sure if I was even the right person to mentor students. But once I began working with my students, I began learning quickly, too. As my knowledge and experiences continued, my confidence and “fit” within the organization became clearer.”
Miguel, an AmeriCorps Member*Read more about making a difference in students’ lives*

In California, AmeriCorps members serve with Equality California, the first AmeriCorps program in the country specifically focused on LGBTQI+ youth. Members serve as mentors to students in the Fresno United School District and work to improve students’ social and emotional well-being which, in turn, helps  reduce depression and improves academic performance and grades.
Brittney, an AmeriCorps member*Brittney, an AmeriCorps member serving as mentor with Equality California*

“The end goal of this program is to let students really dive into their own identities, while also preparing them to become leaders by the end of the year,” said Brittney, an AmeriCorps member serving as a mentor. The program works like Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Mentors, like Brittney, ensure LGBTQI+ youth feel safe and supported so that no student is left behind.

These members and organizations are at the core of national service. Their duties include  empowering the youngest members of society. AmeriCorps LGBTQI+ members and allies serve across the nation with that same focus. No one should be discriminated against or live in fear simply because of who they are or whom they love. AmeriCorps programs and members address these pressing challenges every day and serve communities most in need.

This Pride Month and year-round, AmeriCorps brings these stories to light and honors the work of LGBTQI+ members and allies who fight for equality for all.
          PreviousGiving Back to my AAPI Community through ServiceNextU.S. Department of Education Partners with AmeriCorps to Meet Educational Needs of Students Back to main content Sign up to hear about our latest news, events, and opportunities.
  Sign up for our newsletter
    Footer about
  

        
        About
                            What We Do
                Our Impact
                Our Team
                Careers
                Agency OverviewFooter serve
  

        
        Serve
                            AmeriCorps
                AmeriCorps Seniors
                Volunteer
                Find Your FitFooter partner
  

        
        Partner
                            How it Works
                Funding OpportunitiesFooter Members & Volunteers
  

        
        Members & Volunteers
                            Your Benefits
                Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
                Alumni
                Safety and SecurityFooter grantees & sponsors
  

        
        Grantees & Sponsors
                            eGrants
                History Checks
                LitmosFooter newsroom
  

        
        Newsroom
                            News
                Blog
                Stories
                Events
                In the News
                Communication Resources
      Bringing Americans together to serve communities

Follow us
  
  1-800-942-2677
            
    help@americorps.gov
    USA.gov / Office of Inspector General / FOIA and Privacy Act / Federal Register notices / No FEAR Act/ Employee Whistleblower Rights / Contractor and Grantee Whistleblower Rights / Office of Special Counsel / STOCK Act / Fraud Alert

Accessibility / Privacy policy / Site map / Donate / Join

**AmeriCorps.gov**
An official website of AmeriCorps. Produced and published at taxpayer expense. 
 You are leaving AmeriCorps.gov
 The website you’re going to is not part of the AmeriCorps domain and may not be under AmeriCorps’ control. Its privacy and security practices and policies may differ from AmeriCorps’. AmeriCorps is not responsible for the link, nor does it endorse the content of the third-party website. Click on the continue button to proceed to the external website; otherwise click cancel to stay on AmeriCorps.gov.
 Cancel Continue