April 10, 2013 OUTreach News!
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Dear OUTreach friend,
OUTreach youth are taking the lead in working for bully free schools (read more below, and join them at a screening of "Bully" Thursday!) and caring for injured and baby animals at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Plus, they are planning an Earth Day Poster Contest to raise money for the beavers injured by the oil spill in Willard Bay.
That's what THEY are up to this week - let's match their energy with our own! What are YOU doing to stand up and speak OUT? We want to know - drop us a line! OUTreach youth may invite you to tell them more about how you are making the world a better place.
Together we can make a difference!
Marian Edmonds, Executive Director
OUTreach Resource Center
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This week at OUTreach!
| | Wednesday, April 10
3:00 - 7:30 for ages 14 - 23:
ABA: Anti Bullying Alliance Meeting
3:15 - 3:45
OUTreach youth have been hard at work planning strategies to change school cultures from bullying to safety. Join this meeting to plan the "Bully" film introduction (Pleasant Valley Library, 6:00, Thursday April 11) and to finalize talking points for meeting with the Superintendant. This is a wonderfully engaged group of youth - be a part of the change you wish to see!
Next Step Education and Employment Workshop
Our topic this week: what is a good major/career for YOU? What matches your interests, skills and goals? Take some fun, interactive quizzes and complete part two of this seven week series!
You will earn a $10 gift card for every unit completed, plus academic credit if you qualify!
Healthy Sexuality Class 4:30 - 5:00
With our friends Nickee and Suzanne from the health department - we are planning our next community event for the Safer, Stronger, Smarter Team!
NEW: Get Fit and FAB with Jackson Carter! 6:00
Join Jackson for a Walk and Talk, get fit, get healthy, get happy!
PLUS:
Free, professional counseling with Dr. Ambrose and Dr. Kay, food, clothing and supplies pantry for homeless youth and youth in need, our cyber-center, art activities, video and book lending library, pool, foosball and ping-pong...
Thursday, April 11
3:00 - 7:30 for ages 14 - 23:
Piano Class 3:15 - 4:00 
Next Step Education and Employment Workshop 4:00 Join us for the "Express" workshop each Thursday, get extra help, catch up on the units you have missed, be a part of a current events discussion relating to the education and employment topics we are working on. Fun, fun, fun!
 Field Trip to see "Bully"
The Anti Bullying Alliance will introduce this important film. The event is free, open to the public, and is at the Pleasant Valley Library, starting at 6:00 p.m. (5568 S Adams Ave, Ogden)
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Earth Day Contest!
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Contest Theme Renewable Energy: Think Outside the Barrel
How many of you have seen the Colbert Report video lampooning an Earth Day poster contest for kids entitled "Where would WE be without oil, gas and mining?" No, it's not a joke, take a look at the official page with instructions.
OUTreach youth are VERY environmentally conscious, and to honor that we are sponsoring a contest, open to all youth up to age 23 with a grand prize of $50 which we will match with a $50 donation to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah, which is caring for baby beavers who were recently victims of an oil spill. OUTreach youth now volunteer at the Rehabilitation Center, and were there when the latest baby beavers were brought in.
Do you want to enter or sponsor the contest? OUTreach youth are looking for sponsors to match or add to the money that will be donated to help care for the beavers. They are finalizing contest rules and the sponsorship opportunities - watch for an email and facebook event page Wednesday evening!
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Thank you's of the Week!
| |  A BIG thank you to:Our very first Safe and Sound Host Home family - they are amazing! Watch for a feature article in an upcoming issue and to Dr. Teri Kay, who was a large part in helping with the rigorous vetting/screening process our host families complete. Harris Foundation - for generously funding our soon to be announced Suicide Prevention Initiative. Their care for at-risk youth is an inspiration. Students, Staff and Faculty of Weber State (organized by OUTreach practicum student Meagan Bybee) who donated clothing, food and supplies to homeless youth and youth in need. They stocked our pantry to overflowing. Join us in saying "Great, great, GREAT!" Dr. Heather Ambrose and Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator Peggy Bon for their participation in the Nu Hope Suicide Prevention event at Syracuse High School. With so many suicides in that area, this event was sorely needed at attended by hundreds. |
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Upcoming Community Events!
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April 10, 7:00 p.m. - "Meet Me at the Station"
Union Station Grand Lobby with the Weber State University Jazz Combo! Free, public invited.
April 11, 6:00 p.m. - "Bully" Screening Pleasant Valley Library, Free, open to the public, and with an introduction by the OUTreach Anti Bullying Alliance.
April 12 Wildcat GSA Black and White Ball!
The Black and White Ball is an event which brings together the LGBT and Ally members from the surrounding universities in Utah for a night of fun and mingling.The Ball is free to everyone. Come enjoy the music from the DJs and the refreshments! Hope to see you all there on April 12th at 8 pm to dance the night away! Check out their Facebook Event Page
April 19 Day of Silence
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The National Day of Silence is a day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools.
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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. From the first-ever Day of Silence at the University of Virginia in 1996, to the organizing efforts in over 8,000 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities across the country in 2008, its textured history reflects its diversity in both numbers and reach.
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| Organizing for Day of Silence |
Organizing a Day of Silence (DOS) activity or event can be a positive tool for change-both personally and community-wide. By taking a vow of silence, you're making a powerful statement about the important issue of anti-LGBT bullying,and when you organize others to join you that message becomes stronger. Discover ways of organizing your event here. |
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While you DO have a right to participate in the Day of Silence between classes and before and after school, you may NOT have the right to stay silent during instructional time if a teacher requests for you to speak. According to Lambda Legal, "Under the Constitution, public schools must respect students' right to free speech. The right to speak includes the right not to speak, as well as the right to wear buttons or T-shirts expressing support for a cause." However, this right to free speech doesn't extend to classroom time. "If a teacher tells a student to answer a question during class, the student generally doesn't have a constitutional right to refuse to answer." We remind participants that students who talk with their teachers ahead of time are more likely to be able to remain silent during class.
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If you think your rights are not being respected, or want to report your experience of resistant administration, click here to report it. GLSEN and Lambda Legal will review your situation. |
| The Truth about the Day of Silence |
As the Day of Silence continues to grow, some people have confused the mission and goals of the Action. Clear up any misinformation by reading The Truth about the Day of Silence. |
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Be a part of making ALL youth Safe and Sound!
| |  OUTreach Resource Center, with significant help and support from Mormons Building Bridges, announces a new program, Safe and Sound, to provide host homes for LGBT youth who need a place to stay, as well as help for families who want to stay together.
 Want to learn more about how you can be involved? Go to our website, ogdenoutreach.org and click on the Safe and Sound tab to read more about the program, download volunteer or host applications, and more. |
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About OUTreach
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OUTreach Resource Center, provides educational, health and enrichment opportunities and support for 350 LGBT and allied youth ages 14-23 as well as community services for LGBT and allied adults. Our projects include:
Community Safety
Safe schools and anti-bullying education
Diversity training for law enforcement & community organizations
Community events to educate and inform
LGBT awareness and cultural competency
The Make it Better Now Project
Safe at Home
Safe and Sound Host Home Program
Suicide Prevention and Education throughout community
Strengthening Families
Homelessness Youth Prevention/Education
OUTreach Center Programs
Youth Leadership Training, Self-Efficacy and Capacity Building
Health and Wellness
Life Coaching, Mentoring and Professional Counseling
Educational Advancement, Vocational Training and the Arts
The Center is open for youth ages 14-23 from 3:00 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays in the lower level of the Unitarian Universalist Church, 705 23rd Street, Ogden.
Want more info, ask questions, or become a volunteer? Visit ogdenoutreach.org, email us, or call 801-686-4528. Donations of any size are gratefully appreciated! Donate securely
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