THE LINK THAT CONNECTS
Why GSA Link?
GSA Link in a nonprofit organization that seeks to connect, empower, and inspire LGBTQ+ youth. Having social support plays a key role in developing LGBTQ+ youth’s confidence in their identities, sense of belonging, and strengthening their passions and skills. GSA Link offers a necessary space for youth to meet others and build connections, exploring topics that they care about. Our goal is to center and value LGBTQ+ youth’s voices and interests, encouraging them to be a part of the process of steering this continuously growing community and its efforts to be involved in advocacy and education. With each meeting, we seek to show LGBTQ+ youth that there are so many people who care about them and want to see them thrive in a world that still spreads hatred and violence. Together, we are the link that connects.
HOW WE ARE HELPING
GSA Link tackles our mission of LGBTQ+ youth empowerment in a variety of ways.
Through our Link Up meetings (for K-5, middle schoolers, or high schoolers), youth can hang out in a positive and fun space, and discuss issues that are important to them. We also look to parents as agents of change, offering parent groups for support and information on how to best embrace their child’s emerging identity. Finally, our newest program Linked Mentoring helps to establish mentoring relationships between LGBTQ+ youth and LGBTQ+ adults so that the two can develop a trusting, supportive, mutually positive connection.
WHY DO THIS WORK?
Familial acceptance promotes higher self-esteem and reduces likelihood for depression and substance misuse (Ryan et al., 2010).
Having a GSA has been found to offset psychological distress and promote feelings of belonging (Heck, Flentje, & Cochran, 2011).
Positive LGBTQ+ youth-adult and peer relationships help youth to find resources, feel seen, and remind them that they are not alone (Asakura, 2016).
“Her confidence has soared and she stands a little taller since starting these sessions with her mentor. She looks forward to these weekly meetings and it has opened a new avenue of conversation for us.” - GSA Link Parent about Linked Mentoring
RAISE YOUR FLAG
Raise Your Flag is a movement by GSA Link that encourages you to raise your flag with pride and own your right to be who you are!
Your story matters, and we want
to hear it!
Raise your flag by sharing your
story with us today!
"In the end, I’ve been out publicly since I was fifteen, nearly sixteen, and I couldn’t be happier for it. It gets better, and when you can finally own who you are- you get better too." -Thomas
Our Partnerships
Thanks to the Greater Worcester Community Foundation's generous grant, we look forward to connecting and supporting even more LGBTQ+ youth in Greater Worcester with one on one (virtual) mentorship with a trained, LGBTQ+ adult with lived experience and shared identities and interests.
We also want to thank the Greater Worcester Community Foundation for their outstanding work investing in Worcester community organizations since 1975, and commend them for their mission to build a more inclusive, more resilient community by connecting generous donors with strategic community partners.
Chain Link Sponsors
