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What leadership has come to mean to me, as the Executive Director of LYRIC, is much deeper than what I have understood it to be over my many years as a community advocate.
Leadership is not simply about holding up a vision for inspiration. It is about radiating a belief that LYRIC’s vision can one day be a reality. It is about walking the daily path laid clear in LYRIC’s mission. It is about personally embodying LYRIC’s values.
What is exciting in discovering the true nature of leadership is to know that it is infectious and effective. To be a leader is to know that you have found the key that opens the door to make change happen. For LYRIC, our vision of change is a diverse society where LGBTQQ youth are embraced for who they are and encouraged to be who they want to be.
In my pursuit for LGBTQQ youth rights, leadership has been about fostering the awareness in LGBTQQ young people about their own power, creating access to the skills and knowledge they need to transform their power into action and building bridges to opportunities where their action can create just communities.
LYRIC youth inspire.
They inspire other LGBTQQ and ally youth to use their power to make positive change in our communities.
They inspire adults to want to be better allies and build communities that honor and support youth.
They inspire me to be a better leader.
It is my most sincere hope that they inspire you.
Yours in community,
Jodi L. Schwartz
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Ximena A. Delgado is a Senior Vice President, San Francisco Market Manager for Bank of America's Global Corporate Social Responsibility. Bank of America is a major supporter of LYRIC’s programs for LGBTQQ youth. We asked her to share why supporting LGBTQQ youth is important to her as a corporate leader in philanthropy.
Why do I support LGBTQQ youth? I’ve been blessed with educational opportunities and support from extended family and friends who helped me achieve my goals. Many LGBTQQ youth lose the support of their family and friends because of their sexual orientation or gender. This is who LYRIC serves, the youth who need it most.
LYRIC does its work through grants from companies like Bank of America and its Charitable Foundation, and contributions from donors like those reading this newsletter. LYRIC is able to keep its doors open for its youth space, to offer job training, and to help young people with the basics they need to survive.
Corporate grants and personal donations result in programs that provide critical support to help youth’s success, including such things as job training and placement. Just as important, support for LYRIC can help LGBTQQ youth be healthy and happy. Young people, especially the low-income youth of color that LYRIC primarily serves, need services to build their leadership skills so they can become the leaders of today and tomorrow. LYRIC is a place where leadership is nurtured and youth voice is amplified.
That’s why I’m proud to say that Bank of America has contributed $105,000 since 2005 to LYRIC’s programs. I wake up every day happy that I am a corporate leader, part of the Bank of America team that is very passionate and cares so much about groups like LYRIC.
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LYRIC amplifies the voices of LGTBQQ youth. Here's what they have to say about LYRIC:
"LYRIC showed me love, supported me and empowered me to be me, be a leader, and be proud of myself for being Queer."
Phuong, 18 yrs old, Queer Educator
"At LYRIC, I have so many new experiences that challenge me to become a better leader and step out of my shell."
Vanessa, 17 yrs old, Queer Educator
"LYRIC has made a big impact in my life. Coming to LYRIC, I wanted to be a part of another family — and I’ve learned to feel comfortable not only with the many diverse people here, but also feel comfortable in my own skin."
Ose, 22 yrs old, Queer Educator
"They show us dedication and love and trust- that even though we are still growing as a leader, they believe in us and help us by creating a safe space for us to grow and learn things that makes our leadership stronger and powerful…LYRIC has been a part of my life, they made me a better person and created a different side of me, and because of LYRIC I have the confidence to break every wall that will keep me from pursuing my dreams in life."
Paulina, 20 yrs old, Queer Educator
Click here, to make a secure donation for LYRIC through Network For Good.
Click here to learn of other ways to support LYRIC.
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