ROCKLAND — Twenty-eight years in, OUT Maine is still working towards building a more welcoming and affirming Maine for LGBTQIA2S+ youth. The 2023-24 Mission and Program Impact Reports are now available to view.
Since 1996, OUT Maine has aimed to foster inclusive communities that celebrate the rich diversity of Maine’s queer youth across all their intersecting identities. The organization’s mission extends beyond providing support; it strives to reform the very systems that shape the lives of LGBTQIA2S+ adolescents, including education, healthcare, and community organizations.
Last year, OUT Maine embarked on a strategic planning endeavor guided by meaningful conversations with youth, families, and community partners. These insights are helping OUT Maine expand its support and resources, focusing on building resilience and life skills to help our LGBTQIA2S+ youth survive and thrive.
In fiscal year 2023-24, OUT Maine saw 13,620 engagements with youth ages 9-22, and 192 engagements with parents through in-person and online programs. These engagements included support groups, writing workshops, family park days, and weekend retreats.
OUT Maine also worked directly with educators and providers, with 760 engagements with school staff and 221 hours of training for community members, providers, and educators.
“As we continue to address the impact of the political ‘pushback’ against LGBTQIA2S+ youth sweeping the country and overwhelming Maine’s rural schools, OUT Maine’s mission is more relevant and urgent than ever,” says Sue Campbell, executive director of OUT Maine. “We’re continuing our efforts to provide support programs for youth and their families, but we know that is not enough. To make a difference, we must stand strong and work together to keep protections in place for our youth.”
You can learn more about OUT Maine’s work, including its Mission and Program Impact Reports and Strategic Plan, here at https://www.outmaine.org/about/strategic-plan/?mc_cid=8dc31009ad&mc_eid=7f65797b63.
