Conference Schedule:

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.	Networking Breakfast
9:00 - 9:15 a.m.	Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:15 - 10: 00 a.m.	Plenary Panel: Advancing the Workplace & Educational Experiences of LGBTQ & At-Risk Youth
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.	Workshop Session #1
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.	Workshop Session #2
12:15 - 12:30 p.m.	Closing Remarks

 

Workshop Offerings:

Session #1:

Introduction to Serving the LGBTQ Youth Community:  Being an Ally

While lesbian, gay and bisexual people have become more prominent in the media in recent years, many people still have questions about the differences between sexual identity, sexual orientation, and gender identity.    This workshop provides participants with a brief overview of a sexuality model that explains these complex differences.   Building on this knowledge, the workshop will primarily focus on ways that direct service providers can provide maximum support for LGBTQ youth in their work as individuals, including information on best serving mental health needs of LGBTQ youth.  

Facilitated by:

Lillian Rivera, Assistant Director, After School Services at The Hetrick-Martin Institute
Matthew Rofofsky,  Director, Supportive Services at The Hetrick-Martin Institute

 

Developing Safe Spaces for LGBTQ Students in Education

Students who face severe bullying in their educational environments have been shown to have greater barriers to success, including lower grades, lower attendance, and higher drop out rates.    Diverse sexual orientation and gender presentation are two of the most prominent causes of bullying in schools, and even leads to regular physical violence against LGBTQ students.    This workshop provides educational professionals with concrete information on how to make school environments safer for LGBTQ youth.

Facilitated by:
Kiwi Grady, Community Initiatives Associate, GLSEN

 

Towards a Common Goal:  Creating Effective Partnerships Between Corporate Groups and Non-Profits

In light of the economic downturn, non-profit competition for corporate donations and sponsorships has dramatically increased.  Corporate decision makers are facing increasing pressure to demonstrate greater monetary return on their non-profit investments.   This changing business climate requires non-profit organizations to rethink how they partner with large enterprises, since traditional event-based sponsorships are no longer winning corporate dollars.   This workshop provides implementable strategies for both non-profits and corporate groups to increase the mutual success of their partnerships.

Facilitated by:

Darra Gordon, Associate Executive Director, Development at The Hetrick-Martin Institute
Anthony Tenicela, Global Business Development Executive, IBM

 

Session #2:

Introduction to Working with Transgender & Gender Diverse Youth

 

 

People of transgender experience frequently face extremely high levels of prejudice in our culture.   Transgender and gender diverse youth are particularly vulnerable to the pervasiveness of anti-transgender prejudice.  This workshop offers an overview of transgender identity, the young people who identify as transgender and their communities and as well as the specific challenges they face.   Additionally, this workshop provides tips for educators and service providers on how to best be supportive of gender questioning youth.

Facilitated by:
Kiwi Grady, Community Initiatives Associate, GLSEN

 

School to Work:  Preparing LGBTQ & At-Risk Youth for College & the Workplace

When transitioning to college and the workplace, LGBTQ and other at-risk youth face unique challenges in managing their sexual identity and academic/professional identities.   Based on the successes of the Job Readiness and College Prep Programs at The Hetrick-Martin Institute, this workshop provides participants with implementable tools to help LGBTQ and at-risk young people prepare for and succeed in new environments.

Facilitated by:
Sam Stiegler, Coordinator of GED & College Prep at The Hetrick-Martin Institute
Patricia Thomas,   Educational Specialist, Job Readiness at The Hetrick-Martin Institute

Maximizing Professional Success:  Creating Fully Inclusive Workplaces

In order to achieve maximum success as professionals, LGBTQ and at-risk youth entering the workforce can greatly benefit from safe and inclusive workplace environments.   This workshop helps business and service-oriented workplaces to identify strategies that can be implemented in working towards ensuring a welcoming environment for LGBTQ and at-risk youth. 

Facilitated by: