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5 LGBTQ nonprofits in Philly that need volunteers right now

Attic Youth Center. June 26, 2018 Category: FeaturedLongPurpose
Pride Month is almost over, but Philly nonprofits serving the LGBTQ community need support year-round.

Accordingly, civic engagement organization Young Involved Philadelphia hosted an LGBTQ-themed “Get Involved Happy Hour” last week at Tabu lounge and bar.

“Philadelphia has such a rich history of LGBTQ+ advocacy and since June is Pride month, we couldn’t think of a better theme to engage, connect, and especially represent Young Philadelphians within our city,” wrote YIP President Bekah Gable in an email. “Now more than ever, we are grateful to have  amazing partner organizations who are working tirelessly to raise awareness and grow their networks, making Philadelphia a welcoming city for all.”

Here are all the ways to help out at five LGBTQ-focused orgs that came through.

Philadelphia FIGHT

Contact: Volunteer Manager Nikki Bromberg, nbromberg@fight.org or 215-525-3051

Bromberg said the HIV-focused healthcare nonprofit needs volunteers of all skill levels, from academic researchers to folks who can tackle daily ops tasks such as stuffing condom packets and preparing the org’s Prison Health News mailing.

Most timely is its weekly Narcan trainings, which aims to train FIGHT clients to use the overdose-reversal drug in a bid to curb the addiction epidemic that has driven a spike in HIV cases in recent years.

“Our goal is to reinforce everyone that comes through our doors with the power to save someone’s life from an opioid [overdoses] if ever the situation arises,” Bromberg wrote in a follow-up email. “Our community has been so impacted by the epidemic and we want to encourage folks to feel empowered and confident when carrying a kit of Narcan! Volunteers are needed on a weekly basis to make phone calls, explain Narcan to our community members and get them signed up to attend a training.”

From our Partners

Bromberg will also need volunteers to help run FIGHT’s community cookout on Aug. 18 and prison healthcare summit on Oct. 5; apps will open online in July and August, respectively.

Mazzoni Center

Contact: Volunteer and Events Coordinator Oliver de Luz, odeluz@mazzonicenter.org

The LGBTQ healthcare provider’s big upcoming event is the free Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference, to be held this year from Aug. 2 through 4. Volunteers are needed for tasks such as setup, registration and room monitoring, de Luz said, and if you have child abuse clearances, you can work in the conference’s Kids Camp or Youth Space. Learn more about specific opps here.

And for those who are interested but unsure if they know all the right language to give the best help they can, de Luz is hosting two Trans Competency Courses for prospective volunteers in July.

(Courtesy image)

Attic Youth Center

Contact: Director of Development Alyssa Mutrynalyssa@atticyouthcenter.org

The LGBTQ youth center is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with a November gala, which means there will surely be some opportunities to support in person or monetarily.

On the daily, though, the Attic serves dinner to one of the city’s most vulnerable populations and is always looking for groups of up to eight people (corporate and otherwise) to prepare meals, Mutryn said.

Any company or organization in need of entry-level help should get in touch, too: Many of the nonprofit’s patrons are looking for paid work or internship experience. The Attic will help place the youth according to their skills and interests and provide ongoing support as needed.

William Way LGBT Community Center

Contact: Chief Operating Officer Candice Thompson, cthompson@waygay.org

Longtime volunteer and board member Leona Thomas said the 43-year-old nonprofit serves something like 60,000 people per year, thanks to a staff of about 15 — and over 400 volunteers.

The org needs people to do everything from managing the front desk to joining its marketing committee and setting up for holiday parties to running health and wellness activities for seniors.

One specific initiative it’ll need extra hands for is its LGBTQ Community Digitizing Days, to be held June 30 and Oct. 27. Community members are invited to bring their photos, posters, zines and other commemorative items to be digitized and included in the John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives. Participants will also get digital copies of their items on a flash drive.

Independence Business Alliance

Contact: Membership and Marketing Coordinator Jess Gregan, jess@thinkiba.com 

IBA promotes “economic development, growth, diversity and leadership in our region.” This is the wildcard of the group: There are no volunteer opportunities available, per se, but Gregan was on hand to promote the biz org’s membership.

“We’re the LGBT Chamber of Commerce,” she said. Indeed, it’s both literally a member of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (and hosting its national conference in Philly this August) and a networking/professional development/resources org for LGBT business professionals.

But fear not, allies — membership is for all, not only the LGBTQ-identifying (nor only biz owners, for that matter). There’s also a discounted Young Professionals member level, perfect for YIP’s target audience.

Representing an LGBTQ-focused org in Philly and want your volunteer opportunities included here? Email julie@generocity.org. 

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