All-volunteer organization, Safe Schools Desert Cities has been empowering local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex youth (LGBTQI+), their allies and GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) advisors since 2012. The organization works to create opportunities that foster individual growth as well as create community. These goals are achieved by providing education, guidance, advocacy, resources, recreational activities and opportunities for self-expression.
While the organization has been mostly dark during distance learning, Safe School plans to resume all its normal operations when school reopens. This will include events like the Pride Prom, the Rainbow Youth Summit and connecting with GSA advisors.
The organization provides one liaison to each school district, periodically meeting with the schools’ GSA advisors, learning about the needs of the schools and providing a calendar of events. Safe Schools also provides financial support for T-shirts, backpacks and other items for GSA members.
The opportunities that Safe Schools Desert Cities creates has a tremendous impact on some of the students it has assisted. In 2015, Carly Jacobs was introduced to the organization while a sophomore at Yucca Valley High School.
“I attended Palm Springs Pride that November, where I had a blast and was accepted as my authentic self for the first time,” Jacobs said. “Since my first coming out experience was horrible, being in a supportive environment changed how I felt about being alive.”
Jacobs became active with the organization, attending educational panels with discussions on coming out, activism, drag fashion, sexual health and scholarships. She also attended Pride Prom, which she felt catered to her experience, enjoyment and safety. After participating in leadership camp, she became a counselor.
Jacobs attended California State University, San Bernardino, where she received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in gender and sexuality studies. Safe Schools awarded her several scholarships and emergency financial support to help with her journey. Jacobs says the organization saved her life.
“It gave me hope in a future where I would be supported and acknowledged and provided a reason for becoming an activist,” Jacobs said.
This last year, the organization has been using its time for strategic planning, working on securing more funding and better serving students and advisors. All Safe Schools events had to be canceled and that included fundraising events.
Despite this, the organization awarded $23,000 through its Pride Award and Financial Assistance Awards to 26 students. Since its inception, Safe Schools has awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships.
Recently, Safe Schools Desert Cities received a grant through the Inland Empire Community Foundation. Individuals wishing to support their work can donate through their website or attend the organization’s upcoming virtual fundraiser.
On May 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert will be hosting “Mama Gloria: The Story of Legendary Trans Activist Gloria Allen.“ The documentary will be viewed online followed by a discussion led by Luchina Fisher and Mama Gloria.
The organization’s president, Eric Ornelas encourages more of the community to visit the organization’s website, discover more about their work and sign up for their upcoming newsletter.
Ornelas said the future is looking bright for when school resumes in the fall. Safe Schools Desert Cities plans to resume working with more than 30 schools in the Coachella Valley schools districts and Morongo unified school district.
“When you’re an LGBT kid, not all parents know how to help,” Ornelas said. “We work directly with the schools so that these kids know that they don’t have to walk this road alone. There are supportive adults who will offer support and welcome them as they are.”
For more information, call (760) 459-2700 or visit safeschoolsdc.org.
The Inland Empire Community Foundation’s mission is to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy. Learn more about them at iegives.org.
