Lighthouse Partners with Ridgefield CT Pride to Launch New LGBTQ+ Youth Group
Ridgefield, CT
December 28, 2023
Lighthouse, a program of Kids In Crisis, in partnership with Ridgefield CT Pride, is excited to announce the launch of a free new group in Ridgefield, CT, dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ teens and their allies from the Greater Danbury area. The inaugural session is set for Thursday, January 11th, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Ridgefield Teen Barn, continuing with monthly meetings every second Thursday. This event is free and is open to all LGBTQ+ teens and allies in grades 6th - 12th. Dinner and refreshments will be served. No RSVP is required.
The Lighthouse Program has been successful in servicing the needs of LGBTQ+ teens in southern Fairfield County for several years now. Ridgefield CT Pride has successfully provided social support to the LGBTQ+ community in upper Fairfield County and beyond. This collaboration aims to support further the needs of the LGBTQ Youth in the Greater Danbury area, including but not limited to upper Fairfield County, southern Litchfield County, and Westchester and covering the towns of Danbury, Bethel, Redding, Ridgefield, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Weston, Wilton, Katonah, Lewisboro, North Salem, and South Salem.
Kids In Crisis in Ridgefield expands to provide Lighthouse program.
Kids In Crisis provides 24/7 services to Ridgefield families with crisis prevention/intervention counseling and emergency shelter for babies, children, and teens. Kids in Crisis also supports the mental health needs of Ridgefield youth with its TeenTalk program. TeenTalk currently provides 3 full-time Mental Health Counselors to the Ridgefield public school system, with a counselor in Ridgefield High School, Scotts Ridge Middle School, and East Ridge Middle School. Since its founding in 1978, Kids in Crisis has helped more than 138,000 Connecticut children and families; last year, 6,384 children and families received assistance from the organization.
Now Kids In Crisis will launch its Lighthouse program in Ridgefield in collaboration with Ridgefield CT Pride, supported by the Ridgefield Youth Commission and Ridgefield Teen Barn.
Lighthouse is a peer-to-peer social support program for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies, providing weekly and monthly groups and occasional special events. Groups are relaxed and social, with adult facilitators who encourage community building through art, games, and discussion. No bullying is ever allowed, and everyone is given a chance to be heard in a safe and casual setting.
Ridgefield CT Pride is a non-profit organization established in 2019 under the Friends of Ridgefield Community Programs. Ridgefield CT Pride organizes the annual Pride in the Park celebration, runs virtual monthly support groups serving communities in Connecticut and New York, and hosts various other outreach opportunities throughout the year. They are committed to increasing visibility, awareness, understanding, and acceptance through community outreach and education.
Event: LGBTQ+ Youth Group
Date: Thursday, January 11th, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: Ridgefield Teen Barn, 10 Governor Street, Ridgefield, CT, 06877
Who: LGBTQ+ teens and allies grades 6th - 12th
What: Dinner, community & games
Cost: Free
No RSVP required
For more information, interviews, or high-resolution images, please contact:
Kids In Crisis, Lighthouse
Phoebe Oler (she/her)
Program Manager, Lighthouse
(203) 622-6556
Ridgefield CT Pride
Alisa Trachtenberg (she/her)
Chairperson
203-244-8445
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