Grantee Stories

GALAEI – Health Focus

The Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative (GALAEI) addresses issues that affect Philadelphia’s Latino LGBT communities and promotes accountability from all systems that serve them through education, representation and advocacy. GALAEI’s work focuses on improving the quality of life for all Latinos and LGBT individuals, especially in the area of HIV/AIDS and other health-related concerns. GALAEI uses its DVLF grant monies to fund staff development in the area of computer applications, in addition to supporting its annual staff development budget. Also with the monies, GALAEI provides an additional computer workstation for its clients to use to search for homes and jobs, and write their resumes. Additionally, GALAEI purchased a new laser color printer to produce its marketing collateral more efficiently and reach more people. Supporting GALAEI in its staff and technology development is important to advancing public health initiatives in the LGBT community.

Martin Luther King High School GSA – Youth Focus

Recently, the Martin Luther King High School caught fire and was closed for several days.  The school's Gay-Straight Alliance's Rainbow Room suffered the most damage, and according to the group’s Advisor, Erika Garnett, "everything was lost."  The MLKHS Rainbow Room not only was a safe space for LGBT students but also served as a resource library, complete with a reading nook.  The library was home to a mass of flyers, brochures, literature and other educational materials. Additionally, Erika had compiled a comprehensive directory of community resources. The monies DVLF provided are allowing the MLKHS Rainbow Room to rebuild its space (by purchasing furniture and equipment) and its stock of LGBT support and community resource materials, not to mention morale. Supporting the MLKHS Rainbow Room is important to advancing support for and providing resources to LGBTI youth.