Date: Fri, 3 Mar 1995 16:26:14 -0500 From: David B. O'Donnell To: Multiple recipients of list GLB-NEWS Subject: Out Youth Austin [ Send all responses to jodom@BGA.COM only. Any responses to the list or=20 list-owners will be returned to you. ] Joint Statement to the Media For approximately four years Out Youth Austin, a support program for sexual minority youth, has been a program of the University YWCA of Austin. After mediation on February 21, 1995, both groups have agreed on a plan of action for the Out Youth Austin program.=20 The University YWCA will continue its service programs, AWARE, WCRC, ENCOREplus, and the administration of contracts with the City of Austin and Travis County, and participation in a collaboration of Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) funds for with the Middle Earth Youth Option= s for Project Phase in the provision of services for HIV/AIDS/STD education, outreach for risk reduction behavioral strategies and referral as well as crisis intervention, peer support, guidance through the court and social service system, and referrals for Travis County youth. Private donations t= o support the continued growth of these programs are always appreciated.=20 Outh Youth Austin, Inc., will conduct its programs as a separate entity wit= h its own board of directors, and plans to continue the Drop-In Center, Helpline, and other programs supporting gay and lesbian youth. Out Youth Austin, Inc., is accepting donations to fund its transition to independent saut=E9s and to support ongoing services. The new address is: Out Youth Austin, 425 Woodward Street, Austin, TX 78704, and the new telephone number is 512-326-1234.=20 The parties have agreed that no further statement concerning their dispute and its resolution will be made.=20 =09The following is and UN official comment on the above. First I would like to thank everyone who supported OUT YOUTH AUSTIN by letters and donations. We are up and running and will be serving LesBiGay Youth. The OYA HELPLINE IS up and running again. This 1-800 is the only national toll free number servicing LesBiGay youth which is open 7 days a week.=20 Mediation resulted in the YWCA retaining possession of all contracts (rough= ly $50,000); & OYA regaining possession of equipment, property & restricted funds (roughly $10,000, e.g. Helpline and scholarship. & our name.=20 It leaves us short on operating money, yet OYA had to decide between spendi= ng what little money they had on a court case or spending that money on the Youth it was meant to serve. I think they took the moral High Road, showin= g they care about LesBiGay yo uth. They also wish to work on the positive, n= ot dwell on the negative, and through it maybe difficult to do, they are right= .=20 I can not say I will ever trust the University YWCA again, yet I do need to let go and put my energy to work re building OUT YO UTH AUSTIN. I hope everyone else can do the same.=20 Important dates:=20 Out Youth Austin benefit The Therapy Sisters & Emily Kaitz (Last time to see these Therapy Sisters; maybe the last time ever.) Saturday, March 11 8 PM MCC, 425 Woodward St. (across from St. Ed's) $10 donation Out Youth is housed at MCC, 425 Woodward St. Drop-In: Wednesday & Sunday 5:30-9:30 PM Groups: Wednesday 7 PM; Sunday 5:30 PM Helpline: daily 5:30-9:30 PM=20 local 416-6075; national 1-800-96-YOUTH Admin: 326-1234 ACT OUT '95 Youth Summit Diverse, Youth & Proud An opportunity for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and straight young people from a= ll over the state, ages 14-22, to work together to establish a more supportive community for youth of ALL sexual orientation. APRIL 1st 12-5 PM at the UT School of Social Work 1925 San Jacinto The Summit is being held on April 1st to coincide with the Stop the Hate St= op the Violence LGRL March on April 2nd. For info or to register, call 476-4610 or 406-6165. Smile John Moss ----------------------------------------------------------------------- " What a test of charater adversity is. It can either destroy or build=20 up, depending on our chosen response. Pain can either make us better or=20 bitter." Tim Hansel