GSAFE Newsletter - JanFeb

GSA Newsletter

THEBIGSHAREISHERE!

The Big Share is a giving event organized by Community Shares of Wisconsin that supports over 70 environmental and social justice groups in Wisconsin, including GSAFE. This year’s Big Share is March 5th! You can volunteer to be a fundraiser, or make a donation to support our work with LGBTQ+ youth, families and educators here:

Donate to the Big Share Here!

THANKYOU,AHAN!

Thank you to our friends and family at Ahan Madison for an incredible Happy Hour fundraiser for GSAFE! We appreciate everyone who came out to enjoy delicious food and support LGBTQ+ youth in schools. We upped the fun by giving away items, including t-shirts and calendars designed by Transpainter, GSAFE logo totes, and Ahan gift cards. Congrats to Sue, Jamie, and their families! Together, over $3,500 was raised!

QUILTAUCTION2023

The annual GSAFE Quilt Auction this past December was a huge success! This year’s auctions brought in some of the most unique designs we’ve seen and the largest amount of item donations that we’ve ever had. Because of all of your hard work, generous contributions and promotion, we are proud to say the GSAFE Quilt Auction brought in close to $35,000 this year! How amazing!

As always, thank you to our amazing friends at Blue Bar Quilts for allowing us to use your space and helping so much with the organization of this event. We appreciate you!

MIDDLESCHOOLLEADERSHIPSUMMIT:INSPIRE

The Middle School Leadership Summit’s return was better than ever! This year’s Summit theme was “INSPIRE,” and students from 12 schools across Wisconsin spent the celebrating the joy and awe that being part of the LGBTQ+ community is!

We want to extend a special thank you to everyone who made this day possible - our conference attendees, our friends from the Gender, Identity & Inclusion Department at MPS - thank you Ronnie, Ebony and RJ! Thank you also to our performers, Ko-Thi Dance Company of Milwaukee, and our drag performers Miss Baylee Davenport and Aryiah Diamond. Lastly, thanks to our hosts at North Division High School!

UPCOMINGEVENTS-JOINUS!

Come celebrate the year with us - May 4th! Register for tickets here!

SAFESCHOOLS,SAFECOMMUNITIES

MYARTSINMADISON,WI-APRIL18,2024

Registration is now open for Safe Schools, Safe Communities Conference 2024. This is a day-long training institute that features a variety of speakers and workshops facilitated by local and regional experts. Conference participants will gain critical skills and connections to help lead and support efforts to create safer, more inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ youth across Wisconsin, especially LGBTQ+ Youth and Youth of Color. Our target audience includes adults who work with youth and their families.

LEADERSHIPTRAININGINSTITUTE

A friendly reminder that GSAFEs four-day three-night LTI Summer Camp is quickly upon us. LTI will be held on UW Madison Campus at Dejope Residence Hall July 24-28.

Campers participate in workshops social justice, and how to create change in their schools. LTI is staffed by a team of GSAFE staff, Adult Mentors, and Peer Mentors. LGBTQ+ students and students of color are strongly encouraged to apply!

HERE is the application to apply to LTI!

QUILTANDFIBERARTAUCTION2024

Calling all quilters and fiber artists! GSAFE is now accepting donations for our 2024 Quilt and Fiber Art auction happening November 27th through December 3rd. Proceeds create more opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth in Wisconsin schools. Our 2024 Quilt and Fiber Art Auction theme is "Together"we're already excited by all the collaborative and beautiful submissions we know we'll receive!