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We advocate for LGBTQ youth so they can seize each day and prepare for the future.

We advocate for LGBTQ youth so they can seize each day and prepare for the future.

Through youth leadership, SMYAL creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to build self-confidence, develop critical life skills, and engage their peers and community through service and advocacy.
Through youth leadership, SMYAL creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to build self-confidence, develop critical life skills, and engage their peers and community through service and advocacy.

Youth Services

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Need inspiration for your next GSA campaign? On the hunt for scholarships? We’ve got your back.

Giving Back

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From volunteering to donations, the opportunities to support LGBTQ youth are endless.

Housing

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LGBTQ youth deserve a place to live, learn, and grow. That’s why our transitional housing program includes mental health services, networking, mentorship, and more

Empower LGBTQ Youth to Thrive

With 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identifying as LGBTQ, our mission has never been more clear. From transitional housing to leadership development, SMYAL serves at-risk youth as they overcome the challenges associated with their identity. Our services are made possible by the generous contributions of our community. Help SMYAL continue to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ youth.

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Upcoming Event

 
SMYAL for Summer | July 13 | 6-8 PM
 

Join us for the 10th annual SMYAL for Summer, hosted by the SMYAL Young Donors Committee!

We’ll be gathering at Hook Hall to announce this year’s SMYAL Scholarship Awardees including the winners of the Youth Leadership Awards and our new Sophie’s Live Out Loud Award.

10th annual SMYAL for Summer prmo photo. Large pink and yellow text reading "SMYAL for Summer". In the bottom right corner is neon letters that have the date and time of the event. This is all over a photo of Hook Hall featuring picnic tables, cafe lights, and an awning.

In the News

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SMYAL

4 months ago

SMYAL
Do you have a birthday this month? Looking for ways to pay it forward to support LGBTQ youth? Host a Facebook fundraiser benefiting SMYAL!Not sure how to get started? We've created an easy-to-use guide here: bit.ly/FBFundSMYAL ... See MoreSee Less

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JusticeAid

4 months ago

JusticeAid
We're looking forward to this essential conversation tonight with experts from JusticeAid, SMYAL, ACLU, and Equality Ohio! It's not too late to register: www.classacthr73.org/event-4555400 #classacthr73forum ... See MoreSee Less

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SMYAL

4 months ago

SMYAL
Tomorrow!SMYAL's Deputy Executive Director Jorge Membreño, LICSW is joining the #ClassACTHR73Forum "LGBTQ Youth Rights: Protecting the Queer Frontier".Register to join the conversation www.classacthr73.org/lgbtq-youth-rights-protecting-the-queer-frontier-forum ... See MoreSee Less

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JusticeAid

4 months ago

JusticeAid
Consistent with our 2022 justice issue of LGBTQ rights, and support for our grantee partner SMYAL, JusticeAid is celebrating all #lgbtqia+ communities. Today is International Asexuality Day, a coordinated worldwide campaign promoting Advocacy, Celebration, Education, and Solidarity for the ace umbrella worldwide. #InternationalAsexualDayImage credit: International Asexuality Day, whatisasexuality.com ... See MoreSee Less

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Lawrence Harvey

4 months ago

Lawrence Harvey
With several of our expert Privacy Recruitment Consultants attending the IAPP Global Privacy Summit next week, we are proud to be sponsoring the LGBTQ + Allies in Privacy After Party for a Cause event.This event will bring together LGBTQ privacy professionals and allies to build a community as we celebrate each other's collective endeavors, while raising money for SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders).Shoutout to our fellow sponsors: Google, Amazon, Microsoft & Meta... see you there!For more information on this event, click here: one.bidpal.net/privacy/welcome#LGBTQ #Privacy #IAPP #GlobalPrivacySummit ... See MoreSee Less

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ClassACT HR73

4 months ago

ClassACT HR73
Join Harvard-Radcliffe Class of 1973 this Thursday for LGBTQ Youth Rights: Protecting the Queer Frontier All are welcome. Register here: www.classacthr73.org/event-4727601For young people who identify as LGBTQ, these are perilous times. Adolescence and young adulthood for them often mean conflicts with family, classmates, and community members who cannot accept who they are. The results of this intolerance can be depression and anxiety, homelessness, and even suicide. Now, along with these stresses, young trans and queer people are confronting a global pandemic and renewed assaults on their rights in states like Texas, Florida and Ohio.In our upcoming ClassACTForum, we examine the challenges LGBTQ youth face and the ways that advocates, friends and families can offer support. Join us on Thursday, April 7, from 7:00 – 8:30PM ET for LGBTQ Youth Rights: Protecting the Queer Frontier. Our co-sponsor for this ClassACT HR73 forum is JusticeAid, a non-profit founded by HR73 classmate Stephen Milliken, that raises money through music concerts to aid organizations working for justice and equality. This spring JusticeAid is focusing on SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocate Leaders), a Washington D.C. organization that mentors LGBTQ youth and provides housing and mental health services as well.Our moderator will be Tazewell Jones, a JusticeAid board member and an attorney who has fought against injustice since law school when he volunteered for Lambda Legal and the Innocence Project . Our panel will include Li Nowlin-Sohl, an attorney with the ACLU’s LGBTQ Rights team which works to ensure transparency, accountability and adequate mental health treatment in jails and prisons. Li Nowlin-Sohl will be joined by Jorge Membreño, a social worker who has helped to provide clinical services and housing for youth and families in Brookline and Washington, and who now serves as deputy executive director of SMYAL . Our final panelist is Alana Jochum, the executive director of Equality Ohio and a co-chair of Equality Federation ’s Board of Directors, which advocates in State Houses across the country to safeguard LGBTQ rights. ... See MoreSee Less

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JusticeAid

4 months ago

JusticeAid
Tickets are now on sale!Join us for an evening of incredible live music at City Winery NYC, May 16, 2022, in support of SMYAL!Bessie! Empress of the Blues celebrates the legacy of jazz and blues vocalist Bessie Smith through intimate performances by this amazing line-up: Paula Cole, Valerie Simpson , Nona Hendryx, Terri Lyne Carrington, Madeleine Peyroux, Allan Harris, Morley Songs, Chris Bergson & Ellis Hooks, and Samara Joy. Your host for the evening will be Emmy Award winner, veteran broadcaster, and musicologist, Mark Ruffin, the Program Director/On-Air host for Sirius XM's Real Jazz channel. Don't miss out--get tickets now! justiceaid.org/spring-concert/ ... See MoreSee Less

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SMYAL

4 months ago

SMYAL
‼️2️⃣ WEEKS LEFT TO APPLY!‼️Applications for SMYAL's Youth Scholarships are due on Sunday, April 1️⃣7️⃣th! SMYAL’s scholarships recognize LGBTQ student leaders who have demonstrated personal growth and a commitment to creating change in their school or community while remaining unapologetically themselves.There are two scholarship funds, both with the same application process and deadline! All applicants will automatically be considered for both awards.Founded in 2015, SMYAL’s LGBT Youth Leadership Awards (YLA) provide a total of up to $25,000 to 5-8 student leaders each year. YLA winners receive up to $5,000 each for their extraordinary leadership and impact in their communities.Named in honor of Sophie Magerl, Sophie’s Live Out Loud Award (LOLA) will provide a $5,000 scholarship for one student leader who embodies Sophie’s values of self-expression, creative arts, empowerment, resilience, and dedication to community. Sophie was an inspiring 17-year-old who lived out loud and fought for others to be able to express themselves freely.Join us for an informational session on Wednesday, April 13th to answer all your questions before applying! Learn more about SMYAL's scholarships and submit your application at SMYAL.org/scholarship ... See MoreSee Less

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For over 35 years, SMYAL has worked to empower LGBTQ youth.

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