LGBT Community Endowment promotes equity, inclusion, well-being in Erie region
As chairman of The LGBT Funds of the Erie Community Foundation, I appreciate reading about the recent progress reported in Valerie Myers' recent article, "How does Erie rate in LGBTQ rights and support? Here's what a national study found." I think readers will be enlightened to know that in partnership with the Erie Community Foundation, which promotes philanthropy to specific causes, a group of volunteers and donors are supporting projects and organizations that work to make a meaningful difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ people in the Erie region.
Our efforts began in 2014 when we created the LGBT Community Endowment, a donor-advised fund made possible by a grant from the Greater Erie Alliance for Equality. The fund represents an organized, intentional approach to supporting programs and grassroots initiatives that promote equity and inclusiveness. Our goal is to make our region more welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals. Through our grant-making, we address disparities in health and wellness, safety, education, and opportunity.
For example, in 2020, we supported the work of the Crime Victim Center of Erie County who offered counseling and created safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students. When the Greater Erie Alliance asked for support of the E3 LGBTQ Youth Summit 2020, we said yes. We also addressed the needs of an organization interested in evaluating the housing needs of at-risk and homeless youth in Erie County.
The college setting can be difficult for LGBTQ+ students. In 2021, The LGBT Community Endowment supported the work of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Alliance). NAMI provided 20 counseling sessions for over 100 Edinboro University students who identified as LGBTQIA+. In 2022, The LGBT Community Endowment helped the Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE) fund a full year of robust counseling and support services for LGBT youth. In collaboration with Journey to a Trauma-Informed Life, LLC, the students could connect with each other and feel safe.
The Joseph M. Kulka Award and the Mary Kwiatkowski Social Services Scholarships are two donor-created scholarships under the LGBT Funds umbrella. They are available to bachelor's degree candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to improving awareness and understanding of all types of diversity (Kulka) or to female or LGBTQ+ students seeking a career in public service (Kwiatkowski). To apply, students can visit www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org/scholarships.
This is a start. Progress is happening. Much more work needs to be done. If you want to become involved and learn about the issues, we are just a phone call away. You can join one of our LGBT Funds committees to become a decision-maker for the fund. You can learn more at one of our social or educational events for the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Together, our collective impact will make a difference.
Chuck Scalise is chair of The LGBT Funds of the Erie Community Foundation.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Special Erie Community Foundation endowment supports LGBTQ+ people
