OUT Maine receives multi-year $300,000 grant from Peter Alfond Foundation
Youth play outside during an OUT Maine Program. (Photo by Maura Oakes)
Youth play outside during an OUT Maine Program. (Photo by Maura Oakes)
ROCKLAND — OUT Maine announces the receipt of a significant three-year $300,000 grant from the Peter Alfond Foundation. This generous funding will enable OUT Maine to further its mission, building welcoming and affirming communities for Maine’s LGBTQ+ youth.
In partnership with the Peter Alfond Foundation, Tree Street Youth, and the Rural Youth Institute, OUT Maine will launch a peer learning cohort program, offering facilitation, mentorship, technical assistance, and training to 25 other organizations. The goal is to equip these organizations with the tools to strengthen Maine’s youth development field.
Alarming statistics reveal that 64% of LGBTQ+ teens in Maine believe they don’t matter to their communities, significantly impacting their mental health and overall well-being. OUT Maine recognizes the urgent need to address these challenges by fostering a sense of belonging among LGBTQ+ youth.
Sue Campbell, executive director of OUT Maine, expressed her enthusiasm for this groundbreaking initiative: "Having so many organizations dedicated to the success of Maine’s youth is exciting. We are thrilled to help these youth-serving organizations strengthen and enhance their programming. Creating welcoming and affirming spaces is key to addressing the mental health challenges faced by our youth. It can be life-changing when youth have experiences where they believe they matter and belong.”
“This generous grant from the Peter Alfond Foundation represents a significant step toward improving the lives of LGBTQ+ youth in Maine,” said OUT Maine. “By taking a multifaceted approach, this program will provide invaluable support to organizations working tirelessly to create inclusive environments where youth can thrive.”
OUT Maine has an ambitious goal: to create more welcoming and affirming communities for Maine’s diverse queer youth in all their intersectional identities by changing the very systems that serve them. For more information, please visit www.outmaine.org.
*LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning.
