Leake & Watts Recognized as Outstanding by The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center

Teens in foster care often fear being stigmatized or rejected, and this fear is even more pronounced for LGBTQ teens, who worry that they will be rejected if they are open about their sexual orientation.  Sensitive to these fears, Leake & Watts is committed to supporting the LGBTQ youth in our programs and helping these teens find homes where they will be comfortable both being themselves and expressing themselves.

With that goal in mind, our agency joined The LGBTQ Foster Care Project, sponsored by The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in Greenwich Village.  Through the Foster Care Project, the Center partners with NYC foster care agencies to make sure that all youth in foster care have a safe, welcoming space.  In February 2011, Leake & Watts was recognized by the Center for “outstanding work toward creating an inclusive and affirmative environment” for LGBTQ teens in our Family Foster Care Program.

Leake & Watts was one of only two agencies in the city that met all ten of the Foster Care Project targets.  These included active recruitment of potential foster and adoptive parents from the LGBTQ community, the development of LGBTQ cultural competency training for agency staff, foster families and adoptive families, and mentoring for birth families who with to reunite with youth who identify or are perceived as LGBTQ.  Our agency has created a permanent committee that will continue this work and expand our services to LGBTQ teens in foster care, focusing on recruitment of foster and adoptive families who welcome children and teens regardless of their sexual orientation. In addition, all agencies participating in The LGBTQ Foster Care Project provide assistance to LGBTQ youth participants and families in accessing local LGBTQ community services such as counseling and peer support groups, recreational activities and LGBTQ advocacy groups.

Leake & Watts staff was excited to go one step further, though.  Our agency has created an LGBTQ Resource Center, making books and magazines available to teens and families in the LGBTQ community.  The Resource Center is still expanding, and soon DVD resources will be available to clients as well.  For those interested in accessing the materials at the Resource Center, it is located on the second floor of our East Bronx Family Service Center in Williamsbridge: 1529-35 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10461; it is open during normal business hours, from 9 to 5.

If you are interested in learning more about the LGBTQ Resource Center or donating appropriate materials for the Center’s use, please contact development@leakeandwatts.org.