Are there volunteering opportunities for the gay community??

[DVCajun]

I want to start a family holiday tradition of volunteering to help those less fortunate, but it seems like all of the volunteer opportunities are through organizations who aren't gay friendly. I salute them for caring for the less fortunate, but if they're preaching hate at the same time I cannot in good conscience bring my children into their influence.

Does anyone have any pointers for me?

(sorry for the duplicate word in the title -- can't edit it!)

 

[Mathfailure]

I can understand your concern.

Most UCC churches are diverse, as are mainline Methodist and of course Unitarian. I believe at this time of year most congregations have an outreach missions program of some sort.

Also, just on your own volunteer going to a nursing home and bringing a game or something to play with the clients. Like Bingo, always a hit. Just know that you need to clear anything like this with the activities director ahead of time. But they are almost always looking for entertainment.

I trust you will find a way, and your family will be rewarded!

Kathleen

 

[C&G'sMama]

Poster above has some good pointers. Do you have some type of "Gay" organization in your area that may have a list or have organization. We have "The Gay Alliance of the Genessee Valley" here in Rochester. They run all kinds of programs. We also have a number of Gay Friendly Churches.
We were sitting around the dinner table the other night and having the kids brainstorm of things to do to help others. They want to go Christmas Caroling and have people donate a can of food, or gloves or something and then they'll sing. We have a food pantry through a local organization that supports individuals and families dealing with HIV.

There's an agency here in town that services families all over our region for kids that need foster care, residential services due to developmental disabilities etc. They have an employee group that marches in the annual pride parade every year.

Again I don't know where you are but good luck.

-A

 

[Hydani]

I agree with the top two posters You will most likely be able to find a "pride" organization in your community. I am an active member of mine(Pride Committee of Windsor) and we have a lot of straight people help us out. Just last week we were painting our new space for the committee and a few of our gay-straight-alliance partners came by. Always nice to feel welcomed

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Not sure where you live (maybe I should go back to the What is your city known for thread)...but almost all major cities have some sort of Gay Alliance, there are also AIDS/HIV organizations often present (sometimes one in the same as the Gay Alliance).

I do not personally volunteer for any gay organizations themselves, but I do sit on two boards and work extensively of on other functions within the organizations. Being gay is just another part of who I am, not the only part, so I find organizations I believe in, that will make a change in my community.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I volunteer with 2 local HIV/AIDS agencies.

One does Easter baskets and Christmas stockings for their clients so they need help with donations and also assembly around the holidays. They also are responsible for the AIDS walk so they need a BUNCH of people to help with that!

The other has an adult "daycare" center that serves meals and does activitites with clients so they love to have volunteers to help with serving and crafts.

We also have a pediatric AIDS agency that does daycare and residential care for HIV+ kids, or kids with an HIV+ parent. Their background checks are kind of lengthy, but they do accept volunteers.

Our local HRC group seems to always have stuff going on.

Our local DIFFA group always has stuff going on, too.

 

[soulmates]

I LOVE that idea~! We attempted to do this, by sponsoring a child in another country. My parents have done this for years. We got the information packet and yup, in the FINE print, they do NOT accept same sex couples as sponsors. Sad, sooo many children need food & clothing and they feel our money was "Tainted". I'm with you, hopefully we can find something locally. I just recently signed up to give a small amount to the charity of my choice, in Durham. I chose a teen based group, since we have a teenager who is more fortunate than others. But I don't really DO anything accept have money drafted out of my check. Let me know what you find out!

 

[C&G'sMama]

Not sure where you live (maybe I should go back to the What is your city known for thread)...but almost all major cities have some sort of Gay Alliance, there are also AIDS/HIV organizations often present (sometimes one in the same as the Gay Alliance).

I do not personally volunteer for any gay organizations themselves, but I do sit on two boards and work extensively of on other functions within the organizations. Being gay is just another part of who I am, not the only part, so I find organizations I believe in, that will make a change in my community.

I believe the OP just doesn't want to support an organization that is anti-gay. The organizations I mentioned aren't necessarily "gay" organizations (except GAGV), some serve the gay community others serve the community at large the common thread is they aren't going to turn away our help or money just do the fact that we are gay. That if I apply for a job I can be "out".

For those of you in Western and central New York you may have heard of Hillside which is out of Rochester but has services all over WNY and into CNY and NNY. Hillside serves children and youth and runs residence programs, foster programs (which gay couples can be foster parents through this agency). They offer DP benefits for employees and work with residents of their group homes that are gay. They have a huge program during the holidays to get gifts to kids all over our community.

 

[DVCajun]

I believe the OP just doesn't want to support an organization that is anti-gay. The organizations I mentioned aren't necessarily "gay" organizations (except GAGV), some serve the gay community others serve the community at large the common thread is they aren't going to turn away our help or money just do the fact that we are gay. That if I apply for a job I can be "out".

For those of you in Western and central New York you may have heard of Hillside which is out of Rochester but has services all over WNY and into CNY and NNY. Hillside serves children and youth and runs residence programs, foster programs (which gay couples can be foster parents through this agency). They offer DP benefits for employees and work with residents of their group homes that are gay. They have a huge program during the holidays to get gifts to kids all over our community.

Exactly. I'm not really looking for ways to support the gay community -- not that that's not a worthy cause. I just want to teach my children that there are less fortunate among us and that we should have compassion and reach out to help them.

I like many of the suggestions here -- I'm looking into the opportunities offered by the UCC churches in the area.

Thanks, all, for your input!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

For those of you in Western and central New York you may have heard of Hillside which is out of Rochester but has services all over WNY and into CNY and NNY. Hillside serves children and youth and runs residence programs, foster programs (which gay couples can be foster parents through this agency). They offer DP benefits for employees and work with residents of their group homes that are gay. They have a huge program during the holidays to get gifts to kids all over our community.

I know Hillside very well, they work with On Point for College in Syracuse, we have a strategic partnership. It's a great organization.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

I just want to teach my children that there are less fortunate among us and that we should have compassion and reach out to help them.

I like many of the suggestions here -- I'm looking into the opportunities offered by the UCC churches in the area.

You might also look into a local Community Action Center/Program. I work for one and we are the lead agency for many programs, include Meals on Wheels, WIC, HeadStart, Food Pantry and Care Services (HIV/Aids Programs).