Thank you for cheering us on again this year at the Pride Parade and Festival through Burlington. The theme was “solidarity,” and we marched in solidarity with youth who identify as LGBT*.

Many Spectrum staff were there, and as the march progressed, many of the youth we work with joined in. And all of you on Church Street were so supportive. Thank you for being part of it.

Stephanie, who works in our JOBS program, shared this:

“Through my work with Spectrum, I’ve witnessed the disproportionate numbers of LGBT*–identified youth who experience homelessness and struggle with thoughts and attempts of suicide.

“The energy of the parade was incredible. There was an air of togetherness, love and acceptance which fit perfectly with this year’s theme of ‘solidarity.’

“I felt surrounded by people who felt free to be who they were and thrilled to see those around them doing the same.

“It filled my heart to see our youth walking in the parade with us and knowing that we were there to celebrate and affirm their identities.”

We are so grateful to have been part of the Pride Parade this year. See you next year!

The post In solidarity… appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.

Recently, we marched in the Pride Center of Vermont’s annual Pride Parade. The parade is a yearly event in downtown Burlington, running up Church Street and travelling to Battery Park, where there’s a big festival to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities, histories, and cultures.

A recent survey by the Family and Youth Services Bureau and the National Network for Youth found that 40% of homeless youth are LGBTQ or queer-identified.

At our Drop-In Center, youth can participate in queer and transgender support groups and the center is a “safe space” for LGBTQ youth. Our counselors are trained to support LGBTQ* youth, too.

The theme of the Burlington parade this year was “Shine,” so we decorated Stephanie’s car with silver and rainbow garlands from top to bottom and tied star- and heart-shaped balloons to the doors.

Doug Cardin, a parade organizer, said that he thought about 2,000 people would be on the streets to watch the parade. And we heard you! Thank you for cheering us on. Thanks to you, the future is brighter for our youth.

See more photos from the day on our Facebook page!

The post Every day is a day to “shine”! appeared first on Spectrum Youth & Family Services.