Archive for the ‘Trainings/Workshops’ Category

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MSSC Launches Intern Program

Friday, September 28th, 2012

MSSC is proud to announce the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition Youth Internship Program. The program offers four young people the opportunity to work at a community, state, and national level on queer organizing.

The program focuses on four major facets of MSSC’s work: GSA Development, Education & Policy, Mobilization & Media, and Health Issues. If you are interested in being a part of this inaugural year please visit http://www.mssafeschools.org/internship to apply.

Current Internships

  • Salary/Pay: No financial compensation will be offered for these positions. Travel opportunities and skill-building will be included.
  • Qualifications: Dedication, access to internet or phone at least once a week.
  • Location: Statewide. Each program is offered as a work-at-home, work-at-the library program

If selected, you will be responsible for your own internet access and phone service. MSSC is seeking energetic young people to fulfill the following positions:

  • GSA Development
  • Education & Policy
  • Mobilization & Media
  • Health Issues
  • Other topics may be considered

For more information check out our internship program page at: http://www.mssafeschools.org/internship

Posted in Queer Youth Advisory Board, Trainings/Workshops | No Comments »

Southeastern LGBTQ Activist Camp Comes to a Close

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

Photo courtesy of Regi S.

 

Southeastern LGBTQ Activist Camp came to a close around 4pm Saturday July 21, 2012. The event marked the first time this large of a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight youth came together to learn about anti-oppression work. The coalition of five states sponsoring the event brought together approximately 50 youth from Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Arkansas. The coalition partners included sponsor organizations Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition and Gay Straight Alliance Network (based in California) along with host organization Center for Artistic Revolution. Youth from the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition led a workshop on Trans Justice. The Southern Poverty Law Center of Alabama and PFLAG Maryville of Tennessee also sponsored youth from their states.

The camp is the first of what hopes to be an annual event. Campers from both Georgia and Mississippi were already beginning to claim next year’s location. Participants ranged from 14-25 years old and many of which already had experience working on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. The goal of the camp was to create safer schools and communities for LGBTQ youth and their allies by providing a more intersectional approach to Gay Straight Alliance work.

Among the Mississippi participants (pictured top right) were youth from My Brother’s Keeper, Inc.

My Brother’s Keeper, Inc. (MBK) is a private, nonprofit, 501(c) (3) organization located in the Jackson, MS metropolitan area designed to enhance the health and well being of minority populations through leadership in public and community health practices, collaboration and partnerships.

Other participants included youth trainers from William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation who led a workshop on racism and white supremacy in the Southern US.

Founded in 1999, the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation builds more inclusive communities by promoting diversity and citizenship, and by supporting projects that help communities solve local challenges.

Students and former students from the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gay Straight Alliance also attended the event. Those youth led workshops on GSA Development in College and University settings.

The Gay Straight Alliance at The University of Southern Mississippi is a group of students, faculty, and community members who believe in putting an end to homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, racism, sexism, and all other forms of discrimination. The GSA offers free education, support, and information to individuals hoping to learn more about our organization.

For more information on Camp or to find out how you can learn more about MSSC’s exciting opportunities and trainings please contact us at info@mssafeschools.org. If you would like to help sponsor this and other events or activities please visit our Donations page.

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Join us in Arkansas for Southeastern LGBTQ Activist Camp

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

It Gets Better – But when will that happen? Learn how to MAKE it better.
Apply Now

This summer the GSA Network, in partnership with Georgia Safe Schools Coalition, Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition, Center for Artistic Revolution in Little Rock, Arkansas, PFLAG Tennessee and the Southern Poverty Law Center headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, will be offering the first annual Southeastern LGBTQ Activist Camp! This LGBTQ Activist Camp is a summer training camp for LGBTQ youth with a focus through the southern lens.

The Southeastern LGBTQ Activist Camp serves high school and college aged young people in Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and Tennessee who have exhibited strong leadership and enthusiasm in their local area around issues affecting the LGBTQ community and young people.

The Southeastern LGBTQ Activist Camp will be 4 days long, and will feature intensive community building, skill building, political education and leadership training for current and potential GSA and other LGBTQ student activist club (Pride Alliance, Lambda Alliance) members that they can bring back to share at their schools and communities.

Participants come from a wide range of backgrounds and will learn how to:

  • Strengthen GSA/LGBTQ activist clubs through coalition building, strategic organizing a fundraising
  • Understand the legal rights of students and GSA clubs.
  • Oppose LGBTQ harassment and ostracism in school environments.
  • Run successful campaigns to change the climate on their campuses.
  • Recognize the ways that homophobia and transphobia are connected to racism, sexism, classism, ableism, ageism and other oppressions.
  • Work with school administration, teachers and school boards to fight LBGTQ oppression.
  • Learn effective lobbying skills, how to contact legislators and frame a message.

If you are 14-25 years old and would like to participate please complete our application here or email us at anna@mssafeschools.org.

ALL expenses are paid by MSSC and other camp sponsors.

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Want an all-expenses paid trip to D.C. to become a better advocate?

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

 

I thought you might.

John and Audri, SSAS 2010

Head over to GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) to check out their Safe Schools Advocacy Summit (SSAS) application. This year it will be held March 24th – 27th.

“For selected participants, SSAS is a completely free annual four-day conference focused on bullying and harassment in Washington, D.C. for students and non-students alike.” Participants are chosen from all over the U.S. to join in this conference, and in 2010 MSSC sent three participants to represent the state and our organization. John, Audri and Ashley had a chance to bond on the trip and to further network with other youth and adults from across the country.

Ashley J., SSAS 2010

The final day of the conference, the three visited the offices Mississippi Congressmen to advocate for youth in Mississippi. “Attending SSAS was an amazing experience for me. Two years in a row I was able to connect with other activists of all ages and backgrounds. All of us with the same ideas of lobbying for lgbt youth in schools. It was a pleasure to be chosen as a participant and presenter. SSAS helped me find my passion for politics,” said Ashley J.

 

The application (linked below) requires you to know who your elected officials are, if you aren’t sure we can help or check out http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt.

SSAS Attendees with Sen. Al Franken

Please visit the link below to apply.

http://action.glsen.org/page/s/ssas-2012

 

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MSSC plans visits to GSAs across the state

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

With the new semester starting, MSSC would like to find out more about the GSAs throughout the state. Last semester, Anna had the opportunity to visit with a number of university GSAs and student groups. We want to reach out again this semester to the groups across the state. The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition is dedicated to improving the experiences of students and youth across the state as well as offering support to local groups who are already engaged in this type of work. If your group is planning to meet this semester or would like to meet some of the Queer Youth Advisory Board (QYAB – governing board of the MSSC) please just send Anna an email at anna@mssafeschools.org. You can also check out our GSA Directory page to ensure that your information is correct and that your student group is listed.

If you would like to more about our current projects please contact us at info@mssafeschools.org

Posted in GSA Development, Resources, Trainings/Workshops | No Comments »

MSSC & USM’s Gay Straight Alliance present to Mississippi Department of Human Services

Saturday, November 19th, 2011

On November 9th, MSSC was asked to help co-present to the Mississippi Department of Human Services in partnership with The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gay/Straight Alliance, who coordinated the event. Anna of MSSC, Matthew of MSSC and USM’s GSA, and Daniel Cook of USM’s GSA presented at what became a mandatory meeting for social workers working in the DHS’s Gulfport office. Overall, Cook said it was a successful event particularly since the group was immediately asked back to do further trainings with other agencies in the area. To view a PDF version of their 30 minute presentation click to the left.

Additional materials presented to the social workers and case workers included the following materials from OutHealth.net:

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MSSC to present at LGBTQI2-S conference aimed at “Dispelling Myths, Creating Safe Environments”

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

This year MSSC has been asked to conduct workshops on LGBT Youth in Mississippi at numerous conferences  across the state. Tuesday November 8th, MSSC will be participating in the The Mississippi Transitional Outreach Project’s “Integrity in Services and Supports for LGBTQI2-S Youth: Dispelling Myths, Creating Safe Environments” conference in Jackson, MS. Some of the topics to be discussed include: LGBT Competency for Service Providers, Long Term Implications of Being a Gay Foster Youth, LGBT Wellness and Accessing Services and Supports in Mississippi. MSSC will be presenting on LGBT youth in schools specifically bullying and creating safer spaces on campuses.

From the Mississippi Department of Mental Health:

November 7-8, 2011
Jackson, MS
Integrity in Services & Supports for LGBTQ12-S Youth: Dispelling Myths, Creating Safe Environments

CE: This training has been awarded 10.0 hours for the following disciplines: Mental Health Therapist (DMH), Licensed DMH Administrator (DMH), Case Management Professional (DMH), Addiction Counselor (DMH), Social Worker (NASW), which includes 10.0 hours of SW Diversity and 1.0 hour of SW Ethics, Counselor/LPC (NBCC), Alcohol & Drug Counselor (NAADAC), and Psychologist (APA).

Planning Forms have been submitted for the review for Nurse (MS Foundation) & University CEUs (JSU).
Registration Contact: Jackie Chatmon (601.359.6216) or click here
Continuing Education Contact: DMH, Division of Professional Development 601.359.1288
Click here to download the flyer for the training workshop.

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MSSC’s 4th Annual Q&A Summit a Success!

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

MSSC’s 4th Annual Q&A Summit was packed with a range of workshops facilitated by folks from the east coast, west coast and gulf coast. Topics included dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, anti-racism, arts as a tool for activism, sex ed, and much more. If you came to the event, thanks for making it another successful event and if you missed it we’ll see you next year!

To read more about the summit from a presenter’s view, check out Geoffrey’s blog post on the GSANetwork page – https://www.gsanetwork.org/news/blog/mississippi-hotbed-gsa-activism/10/21/11

Posted in Queer and Allies Summit, Trainings/Workshops | No Comments »

Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition to host fourth summit for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth on October 15th

Saturday, October 8th, 2011

Q&A Youth Summit October 15, 2011 Workshops will include Anti-Racism, Transgender Inclusion in the Classroom, Dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline, LGBT Youth in Sport, Learn to Facilitate, Faculty Fishbowl, Climate Surveys & School Policies and more. Sign up at msscsummit.eventbrite.com. The event is free and open to all ages.Jackson, MS October 15, 2011 – The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition will hosts its fourth annual Q&A Summit to address issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth in Mississippi. The annual event will be held October 15 to celebrate “National Bullying Prevention and Awareness” month.

The Q&A Summit draws lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and allied students and youth from across Mississippi for workshops and training on LGBTQ student rights and activism. Past workshops have included: creating inclusive anti-bullying policies, how to start and organize Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), safe-sex education, and anti-racism and anti-oppression. Presenters have come from local organizations including My Brother’s Keeper, Inc. and The William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation. National organizations including Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSAN), the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and the Washington Safe Schools Coalition have also participated in the summit.

This year’s workshops will focus on racial and economic justice, dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, transgender inclusivity in the classroom, addressing the needs of faculty, and many more. Presenters will include Geoffrey Winder, GSA Network‘s Racial and Economic Justice Manager, Bryce Cellato, currently an intern with the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, and Mississippi-native Genesis Be, founder of Open Sky Artwork and Strive Till I Rise.

There is no cost to attend, but donations are appreciated and will help the MSSC continue to host the Summit in future years. The summit is open to students, teachers, parents, and community allies who wish to learn more about these topics. It is being held at the Jackson Hilton at 1001 East County Line Road, Jackson. To register for the event visit www.msscsummit.eventbrite.com. For more information contact Anna C. Davis at summit@mssafeschools.org.

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QYAB attends GSA Network’s National Gathering in D.C.

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

picture courtesy of Geoffrey Winder

Two members of the Queer Youth Advisory Board (QYAB) took part in GSA Network’s National Gathering held in Washington, DC. According to the GSA Network website,”The goal of the National Gathering is to support the GSA movement across the country and expand it to include even more states, cities and towns.” While attending National Gathering, QYAB members Audri Ingram and Anna C. Davis attended workshops ranging on topics including: the School-to-Prison Pipeline, Racial and Economic Justice, and Strategic Planning. Audri and Anna also facilitated a workshop on Gender Identity and Gender Expression. In the coming months, MSSC will be working more closely with GSA Network on a number of topics in Mississippi.

For more information on National Gathering and GSA Network please visit their website at http://www.gsanetwork.org/

from the GSA Network site:
“The National Gathering welcomes 55 to 75 participants each year. About two-thirds of all participants are youth leaders. Skilled youth trainers facilitate the majority of the workshops at the National Gathering. Staff from various states also lead trainings.

GSA activists from states with organizational members in the National Association of GSA Networks are welcome to apply, as part of the GSA network in that state. Check the National Directory to find out if your state has an organizational member. If your state does not have a member, you can Start a GSA Network in your state. Please contact us. You may be eligible to attend.”

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