Training sessions will be held on the following dates:

April 14 and 16

May 12 and 14

June 9 and 11

July 7 and 9

August 11 and 13

September 22 and 24

A minimum of five (5) volunteers per class is necessary for the class to make. Seven days prior to the training, a confirmation notice will be sent. If the class does not make, then training will be postponed until the following session with priority given to those who have already submitted their applications.

Check out our “Volunteering” page for more information regarding the specifics to being a volunteer at Youth First Texas.

Hey everyone!!!

Fall officially started on September 22, and there is now a new wave of programming available at Youth First Texas. Old favorites have returned, and there are some new programs as well. At Youth First Texas, we try to offer something for everyone, so look through and see what all we have. If you see something that we need, check out the suggestion box in the front office of the building, or get into contact with us, we’re always happy to hear your ideas.

Center Hours for 2010 – 2011:

Tuesday: 6pm – 9pm
Wednesday: 6pm – 9pm
Thursday: 4pm – 9pm
Friday: 6pm – 10pm
Saturday: 6pm – 10pm

Core Programming:

These programs meet every week the center is open throughout the year.

Big Group: Thursday @ 7pm – 9pm

LGBTQA youth come together to celebrate and share a collective experience through discussion, activities and featured speakers.

Other Programming:

Many of these programs meet on a weekly basis, though some have specific meeting times.

Friday Night Dinner/Kula Feast:

A volunteer and/or a youth provides a “family-style” meal that gives the youth a chance to “break bread” with one another and have a delicious meal while conversing with others.

Survivor’s Group:

A small group where youth who have suffered from isolation, abuse or other tragedy can share stories of heartache and triumph in a facilitated, confidential and safe setting, where both group members and facilitators are extremely supporting and work to help others conquer their fears, decrease feelings of shame, alleviate the sense of isolation and begin the healing process.

Gender Identity Group:

Meeting on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, this small group provides youth with a safe environment where they can explore the meaning of “Gender” and “Gender Identity,” while also addressing issues involved with transitioning.

Coming Out Group:

Youth through age 22 get a chance to discuss “coming out” as LGBT in a variety of settings, while also addressing issues that include LGBT stereotypes and integrating the different parts of their identity into a coherent whole.

Leadership Corps:

Offered twice a year, this program lasts a total of 16 hours and is designed to foster and develop a foundation of positive leadership skills among LGBTQ youth. Topics covered include effective communication techniques, conflict resolution strategies, the basics of non-profit organization and more. Completion of this program is a prerequisite for youth who are seekingn a leadership position (i.e. Youth Board).

LifeCorps:

In preparation for the transition from adolescence to adulthood, youth who are preparing to “age out” will learn life skills combined with leadership skills, and graduates of the program will participate in a community outreach project that directly affects the community at large.

Arts & Entertainment Club:

Youth are brought together to attend art and other cultural events, which are coordinated by volunteers who are passionate about the cultural scene in the DFW area. Participants will also work to “give back” to the arts through 2 hours of monthly community service.

Health Groups:

This 4-week series uses a holistic approach to teach the importance of mind, body and spirit, and will cover such topics as health, hygiene, nutrition and safer sex practices.

Youth Scholars & GED Preparation:

Volunteers meet with students to work on improving study skills, prepare for the GED, apply to colleges or for scholarships.

Youth Defenders:

Participants learn basic techniques in self-defense and self-awareness, while also raising their levels of self-esteem and self-confidence.

Spirituality Group:

Youth gather to discuss the meaning of spirituality and learn more about metaphysical concepts for a deeper awareness of self and their own spirituality.

Open Mic Night & Book Club:

Youth who write poetry or prose, or who perform in any way are encouraged to come out on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month to share their works, which can also be submitted to the annual “Queer Subtext” anthology, and discuss the latest Book Club selection.

Dance Group:

Youth learn about a variety of styles and take part in an activity that is equal parts fun, workout and education no matter what their experience level may be.

HIV & STI Testing:

In conjunction with the Resource Center of Dallas, youth can sign up for free HIV and STI testing twice monthly, and pre- and post-testing counseling are offered by qualified counselors.

Dallas PUMP!:

Youth come together and find a safe place where they can freely express themselves through music, dance and theatre.

Counseling Services:

Licensed Mental Health Professional, Graduate Students in Training and Social Workers who are trained in crisis counseling and working with LGBTQA youth offer their services free of charge to youth, volunteers and their families at Youth First Texas. Call 214-879-0400 for more information.

On the National Day of Silence, hundreds of thousands of students from all over the country take a vow of silence to bring attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in their schools. Each year the event has grown, and now hundreds of thousands of students participate to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior. Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Find out more about the Day of Silence by clicking on these topics:

• HISTORY
• FAQ
• 4 Truths about NDOS

This year, WE WANT YOU to participate!

Here are the instructions for the Flash Mob on Friday, April 16th:

The Texas GSA Network and Youth First Texas are hosting a free GSA Summit on Saturday, March 6 from 10am to 4pm. The GSA Summit is an opportunity for those who are starting a GSA, involved in a GSA, and/or leading a GSA to come together and engage in a day long institute of training that will ensure your GSA (existing or budding) is functioning at its ultimate capacity.

Session topics include:

• Assessing the Culture of YOUR GSA
• Strategizing an Action Plan
• Resolving Conflict through Team Building
• Promoting Visibility via Events, Fundraising, & Community Service.

Gay Straight Alliances work to create safe environments in schools for students to support each other and learn about homophobia and other oppresisions. They also work to educate the school community about homophobia, gender identity, and sexual orientation issues while fighting discrimination, harassment, and violence in schools.

The GSA Summit will also have display tables for organizations, schools, and causes that also work to provide safer space on and within schools and universities.  WE invite all to partcipate!

If you would like to RSVP for the event or learn how to partcipate, please contact:

Judith Dumont, M.Ed

Director of Youth Services

Judithd@youthfirsttexas.org

Staff has made the decision to close YFT tonight due to pending inclement weather and dangerously low temperatures.

As you know, many youth drive from the surrounding areas and/or use TRE and DART to make it to group. For these reasons, we are protecting the safety of ALL youth who travel across north Texas for programming, and we are closing our doors for the night.

We will resume center hours and activities on Friday at 4pm on 02/12/2010.

Have a safe and warm evening!

The Creating Change Youth hospitality Subcommittee Presents…

The Mas-Queer-Ade Ball!

Headlining Vidur Kapur and Kit Yan
Join OUTmedia’s comedy sensation Vidur Kapur and renowned trans slam poet Kit Yan for an evening of spoken word and humor. Vidur’s credits include MTV LOGO, and NBC’s Stand Up for Diversity. Kit is a Curve Magazine favorite, OUTmusician of the Year nominee. Kit will premiere OUTmedia’s “Be Queer Buy Queer!” national video contest. Bring you cameras and be the first to enter! The event also features local queer youth artists, singers, and dancers. This is an alcohol and drug free event for all ages. A dance party for guests under age 24 will follow the performance.

Everyone who is on the host committee should attend this orientation to familiarize themselves with the conference hotel, the Task Force staff, the registration process, the conference program and there will be a tour every hour on the hour you will need to attend.

Afterward we ask that you help stuff at least 3,000 conference packets. We understand if you can’t stay till 6pm, we are asking for whatever time you can offer.This orientation is for our host committee members and volunteers. If you are on the host committee and haven’t been able to lend your time to a committee, this is a chance for you to sign up to volunteer at the conference and you will gain admission for free for every 4 hours you volunteer in a day.

Attached is a map of parking lots around the hotel for you to use for this event and for the conference. We highly suggest using the DART system since there are plenty of park and rides through out the city to utilize.

What we need help with:

Exhibitors: 30 we should have at least 50 if not more exhibitors, this is a large metroplex and not only organizations can exhibit but those who are merchants selling items such as books, clothes, jewerly, pet stuff, etc. click here for more information on being an exhibitor or click here to register to become an exhibitor

Volunteers registered: 123 we need at least 250-300 volunteers. Tell your friends, co workers and family not to miss this opportunity to attend the nations largest LGBT conference and they can do so by volunteering 4 hours of their time to enter the conference for free on that day. click here to register to volunteer

Community Housing Hosts registered: 8 (sad little number) we really need help, if you are interested or know someone who is interested in hosting please click here Community Housing Registration

Community Housing Guests registered: 44 (hosts needed should match this number)

We want to thank everyone for their hard work. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS EMAIL ON TO ANY GROUPS OR EMAIL LISTS YOU HAVE.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reply to this email and a co-chair will answer promptly.

Thank you again, and see you on January 31 at Volunteer Orientation!

Want to make $2,100 AND make a difference this summer? Apply today to be part of the ExxonMobil Green Team program.  All applications are due January 14. Please see attached for application and guidelines.

ExxonMobil Green Team is an eight-week summer youth initiative that provides paid internships for high school students. Programs vary from city to city, but all Ambassadors (interns) involved in this program work on a project to better the community in which they live.  In Dallas, up to 50 Ambassador positions are available and students will be involved in a variety of activities. Throughout the summer, Ambassadors work in teams of three to five to develop environmentally-focused projects for local nonprofit organizations with the goal of increasing awareness of conservation and environmentalism.

Throughout the summer, Green Team Ambassadors attend classes at Southern Methodist University related to environmental issues and professional and academic development. Ambassadors also participate in weekly environmentally-focused field trips and sessions centered on leadership, teamwork and critical thinking skills. In addition, Ambassadors will develop and implement an environmentally-focused service project as a group.

In 2009, Ambassadors interned with a variety of nonprofits including Central Dallas Ministries, Trinity River Audubon Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Dallas and Texas Discovery Gardens. Ambassadors have planned and coordinated environmental-education days for summer camp participants; taught children living in apartment communities how to incorporate conservation practices as well as conducted research on water conservation ordinances and residential recycling habits.

Since its launch in 1981, ExxonMobil has invested $6.3 million in the Dallas program. With the completion of the 2009 program, the ExxonMobil Green Team has reached more than 3,400 students, impacting the community through work with various local nonprofits.

Ambassador Criteria

Students interested in applying for the 2010 summer program must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Enrolled as a high school junior or senior in Dallas County (as of the 2009-10 school year)
• Available to participate in the eight-week program from June 11 – August 6
• Provide/arrange daily transportation to and from all Green Team activities

Application Guidelines

The application is attached (or can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.vcnt.org/vcnt_programs_student_programs_green_team.html.  Please read the document entitled “2010 Ambassador Application Guidelines” before submitting the application and for additional information.

Each application must include:

• Personal essay (maximum of 500 words)
• Letter of Recommendation

Ambassador applications and supporting documentation must be mailed to the Volunteer Center of North Texas and postmarked no later than Thursday, January 14, 2010.  NO EXCEPTIONS! Faxed and/or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

If you have any questions, please contact Christian Yazdanpanah, Student Programs Manager, at 214-826-6767 ext. 236 or cyazdanpanah@vcnt.org.

As you know, many youth drive from the surrounding areas and/or use TRE and DART to make it to group. For these reasons, we are protecting the safety of ALL youth who travel across north Texas for programming, and we are closing our doors for the night.

We will resume center hours and activities on Friday at 4pm on 01/08/2010.

Have a safe and warm evening!

At YFT, we have many resources if any of you are struggling with self mutilation. Not only do we have the Survivors Group which breaks out every Thursday evening during BIG Group at 7:30pm, but we also have free individual counseling.

If you would like information on either, please do not hesitate to contact us: judithd@youthfirsttexas.org; 214-879-0400.