In addition to supporting the Masakhane Center, Blush Novelties will continue its commitment to support last year’s fundraising recipient, the Ali Forney Center, with a matching donation.
“We are a company that insists upon recognizing the rights of all individuals,” says Blush Marketing Director Ducky DooLittle. “We understand that meeting the basic needs of a human being must come before pleasure. Knowing that from a young age that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and pansexual youth face extraordinary obstacles means we must go above and beyond in our efforts to care for them.”
“We are so grateful for the medically accurate and inclusive sex education Masakhane provides. The services the Ali Forney Center delivers to LGBTQ youth are vital, and we are proud to fundraise for them.”
Established in 2006, the Masakhane Center for Sex Positive Education is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Working with an entirely volunteer staff, the Center offers a sex-positive resource for young people in the Newark area by providing workshops at schools, youth organizations, drug and alcohol treatment centers, parent groups, shelters, and more.
The Center is the brainchild of founder Stephanie Franklin, whose career includes work for Philadelphia’s sexual and reproductive health organization, CHOICE, where she started as an Outreach Worker and rose to the position of Youth Education Coordinator, as well as volunteer work in sex education for Restless Development, which led to a nine-month assignment in a South African rural community. The Masakhane Center’s concept comes from a noticeable lack of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education in Newark schools, and consequently for area youth.
To donate to the Masakhane Center directly, including information on suggested giving levels, as well as where needs are focused and how funds will be utilized. click here. Newark-based organizations interested in having Masakhane educators lead classes and seminars are invited to visit here for information on workshop options.
Established in 2002, the New York-based Ali Forney Center is the largest agency dedicated to LGBTQ homeless youth in the country, assisting nearly 1,400 per year though a 24-hour drop-in center located in Manhattan. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization provides over 70,000 meals annually, in addition to medical and mental health services and a scattered-site housing program, including emergency housing and transitional living programs. Statistics show 40 percent of homeless youth in America identify as LGBTQ, with 68 percent citing family rejection as the main contributing factor to their homelessness.
The Ali Forney Center’s mission is to not only protect LGBTQ youth from the harms of homelessness. Its staff also works to empower and mentor youth with the tools needed to live independently, with its LEAP program. A six-month multidimensional vocational and educational prep course, including assisting with high school equivalency exams and work readiness credentials, youth graduate the program when they have secured employment.
To donate to the Ali Forney Center directly, visit here. To view all programs available at the Center, visit here.
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