Population Served: 
 

LGBTQ+ Community 

 

 Geographic Area: 
 

Southeast Michigan, Metro Detroit, Michigan

 

 Services: 
 

COVID-19 Services

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• Food Relief + HIV Testing Appointments
  In collaboration with the Matrix Health Services, Unified, FCA Foundation, the Flagstar Foundation, Aunt Na’s Kitchen, and Lighthouse Through Oakland County, the Center will be distributing FREE Food Boxes with optional toiletries weekly to those who might need them.

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Youth Programs

All youth programs are free of charge, open to anyone regardless of identity or residency, and are offered for youth ranging from 12-22 years old.

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• Carl Rippberger Youth Drop-In Center

A safe space for youth ages 13-18 to engage their peers in networking, fun, and learning. The Youth Drop-In is open Fridays and Saturdays from 4-9 pm and is staffed by adult allies (volunteers). The Drop-In Center is equipped with an Xbox One, board games, foosball, Netflix, Disney+, and much more.

 

• Youth Leadership and Development Program

A 16-week, curriculum-based program that molds LGBTQ+ Youth, ages 13-22, into leaders by providing them with career development skills and advocacy tools. Topics include resume writing, interview skills, race and racism, mental health, self-care, safer sex, risk reduction, and much more.

Due to COVID-19, the upcoming Fall cohort will be virtual.

 

• Pride Prom
  An inclusive dance party complete with music, snacks, and fun themes for Youth ages 13-20 to attend. Attire is always come dressed for the theme or come as you are. Prom takes place on the same day as Ferndale Pride.

 

• Youth Lock-In
  An overnight experience for youth ages 12-18 to have the Center all to themselves. The Youth Lock-In features music, activities, games, crafts, and plenty of food to make it through an all-night party! This event takes place annually in the winter.

 

• Summer Theatre Intensive
  A two-week program during which youth will learn acting and improv skills from Reg Flowers, professional theatre actor, and instructor, through interactive scenarios, all while crafting their own scripting for a performance on stage in front of an audience at the end of the intensive.

 

• The Reading Rainbow
  An LGBTQ+, social justice-focused book club hosted by Affirmations and the Ferndale Area District Library for young adults. The book club meets on the fourth Friday of each month, and books are available through the Library or Affirmations.

 

Support and Discussion Groups

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Affirmations’ Support & Discussion Groups are FREE for anyone who’d like to access them virtually or at the Center. The groups are intended to provide guests connection, support, and community around a particular issue or identity. 
 

SEE FULL LIST OF SUPPORT GROUPS

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Center for Inclusion Training

Is your organization truly an inclusive workplace? Affirmations can help train your Staff on everything LGBTQ+ 101 with the Center for Inclusion Training! We’ve trained everyone from Medical Students, Sexual Assault Advocates, Corporate Executives, and First Responders.

 

Advocacy

Effective advocacy enables individuals and organizations to shape public debate on important issues. It also ensures that we have a voice in the policies that impact our daily lives. 

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• Combat Racial Violence

• Get Out the Vote

 

Heath and Wellness

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• Affirmations’ Counseling Services

• Crisis Services

• Affirming Clinics and Doctors

• Sexual Health Services

• Transgender and Non-binary Health and Resource Services

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 In-Kind and Wish List: 

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During COVID, we would want folks to donate toiletries that we hand out during our Wednesday and Friday Food distribution program (the only on-site services we offer during COVID).

 

Those donations can be dropped off by making an appointment with

John Douglas at jdouglas@GoAffirmations.org – we normally take other types of in-kind when we are open and can adjust that section when we do in fact reopen to the public.

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 Volunteer Opportunities: 
 

• Food Distribution Program (On-Site)
  Contact John Douglas at jdouglas@GoAffirmations.org and also use some

 

• Miscellaneous projects like fund development and hosting of groups.
  Contact Kyle Taylor for these requests at ktaylor@goaffirmations.org

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 Employment Opportunities: 

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See current opportunities

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 Community Events: 

 

See current events

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 Contact Information:  

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John Joanette for more information at jjoanette@goaffirmations.org

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