by Sarah Rosso, Executive Director

It’s a heavy time for LGBTQ+ youth and families, and the schools and programs who serve them. With anti-LGBTQ+ legislation targeting youth pushing in at Pennsylvania from surrounding states, and anti-trans sentiments in headline after headline, at Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation, we stay focused on ensuring LGBTQ+ youth are surrounded with care and support, so that we have resilient thriving LGBTQ youth.

To that end, Hugh Lane has been building evidence-based programs that train and equip parents, caregivers, teachers, and service providers. Here are a few recent highlights.

PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS

Hugh Lane piloted a program called Caregiver AFFIRM that gives parents and caregivers the tools they need to provide LGBTQ youth with trauma-informed, LGBTQ-affirming care. The data from the pilot demonstrated significant improvements in caregiver knowledge and supportive behaviors. So together with AFFIRM National, Hugh Lane created an implementation manual for Caregiver AFFIRM that can be used around the country. Today, Hugh Lane works with parents and caregivers across Western PA and is supporting foster parents in both Allegheny and Washington Counties. 

SCHOOLS AND AFTERSCHOOL CARE

We’ve been investing in programming to support LGBTQ+ middle and high school students, and to improve their school environments, ensuring they receive equitable access to education. 

• We launched the BESTIEE (Building Equitable Solutions to Improve Emotional Environments) Project together with partners in Beaver, Erie, and Washington Counties that shares Mental Health First Aid, and Suicide Prevention programs with LGBTQ+ youth.
• Hugh Lane visits schools across Western Pennsylvania providing support for student groups like Genders & Sexualities Alliances (GSAs), as well sharing student health programming with teachers and staff. 
• We’ve partnered with the Grable Foundation to facilitate THRIVE Out-of-School Time programming, providing affirmative support and education to LGBTQ+ youth after school and during the summer.
• Hugh Lane advocates for affirming school policies, and provides consultation and training in educational settings to create supportive environments for LGBTQ students. 

SOCIAL SUPPORTS

Already a facilitator of the LGBTQ+ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Intervention Youth AFFIRM, Hugh Lane pivoted quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic to adapt the intervention for remote digital implementation, ensuring youth had access to support during a time of isolation.

In addition, Hugh Lane holds chosen family and social connection events regularly, gathering for holidays, arts and museum adventures, sports and physical activities, and themed events led by the youth. 

We also partner with Big Brothers, Big Sisters; the Boys and Girls Club; and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to ensure LGBTQ youth have access to mentorship and support. 

YOUTH ADISORY BOARD

At Hugh Lane, LGBTQ+ youth lead the way. The Youth Advisory Board of Hugh Lane is made up of LGBTQ+ youth and young adults who work together to shape the programming we offer. These youth meet regularly to discuss pressing issues and emerging needs, and to share the ways that Hugh Lane’s programs can rise to meet them.

RESILIENT, THRIVING LGBTQ YOUTH

By meeting LGBTQ+ youth where they are, following their lead, and educating and equipping their caregivers, teachers, and service providers, we get to show up for LGBTQ youth in ways that ensure they thrive.

And at Hugh Lane, we see thriving, reslient LGBTQ youth every single day. That’s the future we’re going to keep investing in.