OPEN LETTER TO ALL DONORS AND SUPPORTERS OF GAY ASSOCIATED YOUTH
For the past ten years, Gay Associated Youth has served the LGBTQ youth and their allies in the Coachella Valley. We have delivered on our mission to provide a safe, supportive place for our youth, provide guidance, advocacy and resources while supporting the youth in their positive personal development. We have made a difference in our youth and community and, in turn, they have gone out and made a difference in the world.
It is with great disappointment that the Board of Directors informs you of the decision to dissolve Gay Associated Youth. We have spent the last several months analyzing feedback received from our Community Forum, youth, staff and donors in regard to our relevancy, mission, programs, and our ability to serve the youth, as well as our ability to continue to raise adequate funds in the current economic environment. After a year of declining donations and a budget deficit, we have decided that we cannot operate the center on a shoestring budget. Thus, with sadness, it is time for the organization to take its final bow and pass the torch of the ever-changing needs of our youth on to other organizations in the Coachella Valley.
The need for support to the youth is not minimized nor forgotten in these times. As we wind down the organization, we will hold two final events for the youth as well as provide support to others who will provide outreach and information to the youth through off-site events and virtual connections. As one of these events, we will sponsor the final Youth Prom in May. During each event, we will further garner contact information so that others can reach out to the youth to provide them with alternative resources and references. Additionally, we will temporarily maintain our MySpace presence and other communications with the youth to assist them in the transition.
The decision to continue the last few events serves to provide the youth with a transition, but to do so, we also ask for one final donation from our financial supporters. Two of our major donors have provided matching gifts totaling $15,000 to assist in the retirement of our remaining debt as well as the closing expenses and these final programs. Our board members have also provided donations and many of our monthly donors have offered to continue their donations through May as well.
We are hopeful that you, as one of our past supporters, will help us to match the gifts provided by our generous major donors. Any donation you can provide is appreciated and will support our ability to match the above gift and enable us to close this chapter of a very successful and valuable organization to our community.
Gay Associated Youth has provided a crucial service to the LGBT youth throughout the Coachella Valley and we could not have any of it without the commitment, passion and support of our donors. You have been critical to our success and to the success of our youth as they continue their life’s journey. Thank you for your years of support.
Sincerely,
Heather Sacre, President, Board of Directors Gay Associated Youth
For further information emailinfor@gayassociatedyouth.org
ANYONE WANTING TO KNOW ABOUT SOME OF OUR SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN ABSORBED BY SAFEHOUSE, PLEASE VISIT SAFEHOUSE