Safe Schools Desert Cities supports local LGBT youth
Originally from KESQ – View Post
The organization “Safe Schools Desert Cities” works to empower local LGBT youth, offering scholarships and financial assistance awards.
News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke with the organization’s president, Eric Ornelas, about the work they do.
SSDC Events Back in Action
By Mary Perry, SSDC Communications Committee & 2021-2022 Champion of Youth
We’re back! After many months of what we see as inactivity for our students, there is lots of planning going on here at Safe Schools Desert Cities (SSDC). Our GSA clubs did their very best to stay connected and meet during virtual learning, but they are again meeting in person and their energy is travelling beyond their individual schools. This energy and excitement were evident during the Pride Parade and SSDC Youth Zone at Pride earlier this month. We at SSDC were blown away not only by the number of students who turned up to march, but also by the outpouring of love and support from the community. We look forward to the same amount of love and support for our upcoming events: Rainbow Youth Summit, Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, and Pride Prom.
My involvement with SSDC began as I became involved in the events for our students at Desert Sands Unified School District, and eventually as a SSDC communications committee member when my dear friends Eric Ornelas, SSDC president, and Tori St. Johns, SSDC board member, brought me into the fold. It was my great honor to be named Safe School Desert Cities’ 2021-2022 Champion of Youth.
I’ve attended, supported, and very much enjoyed being at all three of our upcoming events. The joy on the faces of our students as they take part in the Rainbow Summit, a day of seminars from keynote speakers; Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, celebrating Harvey Milk and others who have paved the way; and Pride Prom, a LGBTQ+ and ally-friendly valley-wide high school dance. Please consider committing to funding these amazing events. We need help with busing and refreshments and decorations and everything you can think of!
These activities allow students freedom to be who they are–kids!
- Saturday, March 5 Rainbow Youth Summit
- Thursday, May 12 Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast
- Friday, May 13 Pride Prom
See our online events calendar here.
Safe Schools Desert Cities and GSA Clubs Gather for Pride
By Eric Ornelas, SSDC president
The 2021 Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival was held on November 6 and 7 in downtown Palm Springs where Safe Schools Desert Cities hosted the Youth Zone and marched in the parade.
Several GSA Clubs from the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas walked in the parade with Safe Schools Desert Cities. Walking the parade route with their friends and advisors and listening to the cheers of hundreds of spectators proved to be an uplifting experience for our students. A common reaction from the kids was, “this is the best day ever!”
The parade was impactful for spectators as well. The sight of hundreds of LGBTQ+ students walking boldly and proudly down Palm Canyon Drive, left some spectators emotional and in tears. “I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. It’s fantastic,” said one spectator.
Our friends at Walmart/Sam’s Club provided a free pre-parade breakfast for our kids along with backpacks filled with Pride t-shirts, assorted flags, face glitter, and other goodies. Employees from the Palm Springs and La Quinta locations gathered prior to the parade to assemble the bags for our kids. We could not be more thankful for their support!
After the parade, our students gathered at the Youth Zone where they had lunch, rested, participated in activities, or just hung out. Activity and information booths were provided by the Rainbow Youth Pride Alliance, Borrego Health, and DAP Health to entertain and educate our students. These organizations have been amazing partners, and we are grateful for their participation.
Lunch was provided in the Youth Zone by The Sandwich Spot, Palm Springs. Store owner, Dena Banes, and her crew worked extra hard and extra early on an already busy day to assemble 250 sandwiches for our kids. Thank you, Dena and team. The sandwiches were a hit!
The Youth Zone and parade participation were made possible by our volunteers, GSA advisors, and by Ron De Harte, president of the Palm Springs Pride Organization. Ron and his team continue to be invaluable partners. We are thankful for the support and look forward to next year.
Free Meals Will Continue Through the School Year
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will continue reimbursing schools for free meals to all students regardless of their income throughout the 2021-2022 school year. This is a continuation of the program that provided free meals to all students during both the 2020-2021 school year and the summer months.
Throughout the summers of 2020 and 2021 federally funded meals for all students were provided to children across the valley. Nutrition services teams from all three districts distributed meals to students in a “drive-through” setting. Coachella Valley nutrition services team provided almost 398,000 meals during the 2021 summer; Desert Sands passed out almost 333,000; and Palm Springs bagged and served almost 211,000 meals.
Safe Schools Desert Cities applauds the work of our education partners. School district meal distribution and our local food banks are committed to providing nutritious meals to our children. For more information on food distribution, reach out to the individual school districts or food banks.
The school districts are also providing vaccination clinics to our students and families and that information is available directly from Coachella Valley, Desert Sands, and Palm Springs unified school districts.
Free Services Provided by Martha’s Village
Martha’s Village & Kitchen provides a variety of services for individuals and families in the Coachella Valley. Based on a foundation of compassion, respect, empathy, empowerment, and dignity, the services at Martha’s have continued to assist those in need with food, housing, healthcare, and education. This has become especially important during the time of a global pandemic when so many are left without income, shelter, food, and other resources.
Cooling Center
Martha’s Village Cooling Center is open daily during the summer months, offering lunch, water, and snacks to those most in need, including the homeless and elderly, during the desert’s hottest times of the year. “Your kindness, generosity, and empathy help our neighbors survive in this harsh environment, providing them a cool and welcoming place to take solace.”
Employment
The staff at Martha’s Village is able to assist those looking for employment, including people who may feel that the odds are stacked against them. Martha’s Employment Specialists create a customized employment plan unique to the individual and their goals of “helping them find a permanent job and a life of self-sufficiency.”
Tutoring
Martha’s Village tutoring center is now open Monday through Friday afternoons giving children access to personalized schoolwork assistance. Although all schooling can be difficult, virtual and distance learning can be especially challenging for many families and students. “Our tutoring center offers much-needed support so that these students won’t fall behind during this trying time.”
USDA Food Distribution
Every third Wednesday of the month, Martha’s Village & Kitchen hosts a USDA Food Distribution at their Indio campus and has an Emergency Food Pantry open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. through 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. “Community members in need receive fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat, canned foods, and other essential items. This program benefits families with children, the elderly, the working class, college students, and many more.”
Martha’s Village & Kitchen is located at 83791 Date Ave, Indio, California. For more information about Martha’s services, please visit marthasvillage.org or call (760) 347-4741. Information provided by Martha’s Village & Kitchen.
Jim Gross – In Memoriam
Jim Gross – In Memoriam
Jim Gross, former board member and treasurer of Safe Schools Desert Cities (SSDC), passed away on April 1, 2021, following a battle with stomach cancer. Jim was a member of the Board formed when SSDC was reactivated by Doug Hairgrove and Warren “Woody” Wood. Doug and Woody had known Jim and his family for years when they served as educators at Cope Middle School in Redlands. Jim was one of their students with whom they became friends.
Jim also served on the Awards Committee, which administers SSDC scholarships. In addition to his participation at the Board and Committee level, Jim was an advocate for mindfulness training and shared his experience with GSA Advisors and students as well as offering workshops on mindfulness at the annual Rainbow Youth Summit.
Doug Hairgrove commented that “Jim’s favorite activity was Pride Prom where he loved performing ‘marriages’ in the Marriage Booth. His tender heart often found him in tears, especially a few times when instead of marriages he was asked to perform serious engagements.”
Jim was active in many other organizations and encouraged those organizations to support SSDC. As an active member of the El Rancho Vista Neighborhood Organization, Jim was instrumental in their financial contributions to support SSDC activities and programs. We will remember Jim for his commitment to community involvement and his ongoing support for Safe Schools Desert Cities.
PO Box 1662
Palm Springs, CA 92263
Safe Schools Desert Cities Corp is a registered non‐profit 501(c)(3) public charity organization and contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Safe Schools Desert Cities awards program
Safe Schools Desert Cities awards program
by Gloria Kapp, vice president and scholarship coordinator
In 2012, Safe Schools Desert Cities initiated a scholarship program by creating two awards, the Burton-May Pride Award and the Financial Assistance Award, based on a generous donation. The following year, one of the awards was named the Burton-May Pride Award after the founding donors. The purpose for the Burton-May Pride award was formalized as:
These awards were established by John Burton and Ken May to recognize outstanding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or intersex (LGBTQI) youth who, through their participation, dedication, and initiative, have helped foster a positive self-image among other LGBTQI youth. Evidence of these attributes may be seen in a variety of instances such as, but not limited to, active participation in a gay-straight alliance, active participation in events sponsored by Safe Schools Desert Cities, participation in the greater LGBTQI community, fostering positive images in others, or setting an example for others to emulate.
Allies may apply but the number of awards to allies is extremely limited.
This award is not based on scholastic achievement.
The Financial Assistance Award was added to provide a one-time, immediate payment designed to assist with fees for advanced placement exams, admissions applications, or emergency food or housing. Both the Burton-May Pride Award and the Financial Assistance Award are available for students pursuing vocational programs as well as those planning to attend college after high school graduation.
In 2013, Gloria Kapp assumed leadership of the Awards Committee, which continues to provide ongoing support for the scholarship program and selecting recipients. By 2015, the program had grown to ten recipients, and thirty-two scholarships were awarded in 2018. Including awards for the 2021-2022 academic year, over $150,000 has been awarded to students since 2012.
Growth of the program continues to rely on individual donations and important support from other organizations. Ongoing annual awards are supported by the Desert Business Association, the Walt Whitman Foundation of the Inland Empire Community Foundation, and Brothers of the Desert.
Students receiving awards through programs administered by Safe Schools Desert Cities indicate that their awards show important support beyond their dollar value.
To help continue the financial assistance of our LGBTQ+ youth, please consider giving to any of our scholarships or other funds. Your support is appreciated!
PO Box 1662
Palm Springs, CA 92263
Safe Schools Desert Cities Corp is a registered non‐profit 501(c)(3) public charity organization and contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
SSDC in the news – June 2021
SSDC was featured in a Desert Sun article after receiving a general support grant from the Inland Empire Community Foundation. The article highlighted our mission, events, and the success story of Carly Jacobs, who said, “[Safe Schools Desert Cities] gave me hope in a future where I would be supported.”
The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert hosted a special online screening of Mama Gloria, a documentary film about Gloria Allen, a Black transgender activist who started a charm school for transgender youth. Afterwards, the Reverend Barbara Fast, was joined by Allen, the filmmaker Luchina Fisher, Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Middleton, and SSDC President Eric Ornelas for a panel discussion. The church donated the proceeds to Safe Schools Desert Cities.
A return to hope, optimism, and celebration
June is LGBTQ+ Pride month and to kick off the celebrations we are pleased to welcome you to the first edition of the Safe Schools Desert Cities Connection, a free newsletter to help keep you connected and informed on upcoming activities, events, and programs for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies.
With the pandemic recovery finally underway, Pride 2021 promises to be full of hope and optimism. Soon students and teachers will return to classrooms, GSA club members will gather again, and our in-person events, such as the Advisor Luncheon and the Youth Zone at Palm Springs Pride, will resume.
In this inaugural edition, Vice President Gloria Kapp provides an update on the Safe Schools Desert Cities Awards and Scholarships Program. In addition, you will find an updated calendar of events, an introduction to SSDC’s new GSA Advisor Liaison Team, a Safe Schools in the news item from the Desert Sun, a testimonial from an SSDC alum and award recipient, and information on how you can support Safe Schools Desert Cities.
We certainly hope you find this information helpful and invite your feedback. Please let us know if you have questions, comments, or suggestions. You can connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or through SafeSchoolsDC.org.
On behalf of the Safe Schools Desert Cities board of directors, I thank you sincerely for your enthusiastic support of our work. Together, we can build a better future for all.
Happy Pride!
Safe School Desert Cities helps secure a supported and acknowledged future for LGBTQ students
Originally from Desert Sun – View Post
All-volunteer organization, Safe Schools Desert Cities has been empowering local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex youth (LGBTQI+), their allies and GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) advisors since 2012. The organization works to create opportunities that foster individual growth as well as create community. These goals are achieved by providing education, guidance, advocacy, resources, recreational activities and opportunities for self-expression.
PO Box 1662
Palm Springs, CA 92263
Safe Schools Desert Cities Corp is a registered non‐profit 501(c)(3) public charity organization and contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
