NEWARK, N.J. — PSEG has partnered with The Tyler Clementi Center at Rutgers University to expand its LGBTQ Youth Empowerment Initiative to the city of Camden. The goal of the program is to help create more inclusive school communities for the LGBTQ student population and their allies.
Through an initial $10,000 grant from the PSEG Foundation, the first LGBTQ Youth Empowerment Initiative began at Rutgers University-Newark in 2013 and has expanded to Camden this past May. This expansion is designed to encourage New Jersey public high schools across the state to participate in LGBTQ-affirming youth events. These workshops aim to improve the health and well-being, academic performance, and graduation rates among LGBTQ students.
“We are proud to help expand this important social initiative across the state,” said Ellen Lambert, President of the PSEG Foundation. “We want to empower school leaders by providing them with the resources and tools they need to speak with their students and serve as a support system. In both school and work environments, we strive to create inclusive cultures that allow everyone to succeed.”
“The Tyler Clementi Center is thrilled to be partnering with the PSEG Foundation on such an important initiative,” said Maren Greathouse, director, Tyler Clementi Center. “While LGBTQ youth are more visible than ever in our schools, many continue to cope with social stigma, peer aggression/bullying, and fragmented support networks. This partnership with PSEG provided critical support to LGBTQ youth and their allies, and offered teachers and administrators with the professional development needed to carry on this work in their respective schools.”
The workshops engaged students across South Jersey in meaningful discussions about identity development, coping strategies, constructive methods for responding to anti-LGBTQ violence, and improve overall relationships between LGBTQ students and allies. Students also were invited to participate in a statewide climate survey that measures school, home and neighborhood environment, overall health and academic aspirations – providing an in-depth snapshot of the experiences and needs of LGBTQ youth across New Jersey. Results of this study will be released in fall 2017.
Additional information on the specific workshop grant process will be announced in the near future.
