Give a gift that makes a difference!

Posted on January 9th, 2012

Jim Leos asks you to join him in supporting Wingspan:

I was recently asked why I love living in Tucson. There are many potential answers to that question, but one of them certainly is that we have Wingspan, southern Arizona’s LGBT Community Center.

I have a long relationship with Wingspan and speak from personal experience when I talk about what this organization brings to our community. I began going to the EON Youth Center (back then it was called Youth Group) when I was 18 years old. At the time I was in need of support and acceptance, and I found it at Wingspan. The support and acceptance I received allowed me room to breathe, room to grow, and room to explore who I was and who I wanted to become. It put me on a path to where I am today — a proud, out, successful gay businessman who is grateful for the help Wingspan gave me and for the contributions it has made and continues to make to our community.

Yes, the LGBT community has made progress since I was a teen, but life is not necessarily easier for the youth of today. Though they are “out” in greater numbers than ever, visibility does not equal safety. According to the Gay and Lesbian Student Education Network (GLSEN), nearly 45 percent of LGBT youth were verbally harassed in school regarding sexual orientation and race/ethnicity. Unfortunately, many LGBT people describe their youth as a time filled with anxiety, isolation, and fear. It isn’t just fellow students that make the environment stressful for LGBT youth. The state of Arizona prohibits educators within the public school districts from promoting a positive LGBT identity and life within their classrooms, and youth frequently tell us they’ve experienced harassment from teachers and administrators.

Since those years that I found myself at EON, Wingspan has served thousands of at-risk and homeless youth, survivors of violence, and transgender people. It has also provided support to seniors, people of color, LGBT families, and allies. Wingspan not only impacts those who walk through the door, but also the community at large by raising awareness, professional LGBT competency, and giving a voice to the issues.. For twenty-three years and counting, Wingspan has been a critical component of what makes Tucson the kind of place that is worth living.

None of this, of course, happens by chance. Wingspan enjoys a dedicated staff and wonderful volunteers who work very hard to provide the services and support their clients need. There are many needs and wants in our community though, and current funding is just not sufficient to do it all. In recent years, about 70 percent of Wingspan’s funding has come from government and foundation grants. Although greatly appreciated, this funding is not always reliable as recent federal and state budget cuts have proven. The reality for fiscal year 2012 is that Wingspan’s budget is short over $100,000 (almost two month’s worth of operating expenses such as rent, salaries, supplies, etc.) Community member support remains the key to ensuring a stable base on which to provide critical services and meet community needs.

That’s why I’m asking you to join with me in support of Wingspan. So many members of our community rely on your help. Please act today and return a gift in the enclosed envelope, or give securely online at wingspan.org/get-involved/donate/. Call Moureen Drury, Wingspan’s Development Operations Coordinator, at 520-624-1779 ext. 118 if you have any questions or need assistance in making your donation.

Thanks for caring enough to help make a difference.

James J. Leos