ZEBRA COALITION, INC.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA

to gain self-awareness and identify ways of taking control of your life. Help create a safe place to reflect, process, become empowered and learn about yourself with the support of your peers. (Ages 13-24.) With the growing awareness of transgender topics, Zebra Coalition is offering a gender variant meetup to support youth. This meetup will focus on discussions regarding gender identification, healthy living, finding support and other topics that will meet the needs of the participants. (Ages 13-17.) Is it your birthday this month? Did you just accomplish something in your life? Did you pass a test, get a job or have new and exciting experience? Well come meet up with other LGBT+ youth to celebrate your accomplishment. We will be celebrating with great food, games and company. (Ages 13-24.) Calling all gamers! The Zebra Coalition Youth Center has been technologically enhanced. Come play all sorts of games with your fellow gamers. Accessible for your entertainment is the brand new Promethean screen with connection to the Xbox Console plus Kinect. Come play video games, apps or our collection of classic board games.We also welcome new games you are welcome to bring. We hope to see your skills real soon! (Ages 13-24.) The mission of Zebra Coalition® is to support and inspire LGBTQ+ youth. “Zebra has helped me be myself by surrounding me with like-minded peers who understand the struggle of being ostracized by the world.” “Zebra Coalition has given me a space in which I could express myself without feeling judged.” “Zebra gave me a safe space to talk to my family and helped me get clothes during my transition.” “Zebra has helped me understand myself better through art and counseling.” “Zebra Coalition makes me feel like I’m not the only LGBT person in the world.” “The Zebra Coalition helps me feel comfortable and that there is no judgement.” Zebra Coalition has been providing housing and support services for homeless LGBTQ+ youth for over 6 years. We are a very unique program comprised of 26 coalition partners that consist of service groups, government agencies, social service providers, churches, corporations and schools (middle, high, colleges and universities). Funding for Zebra Coalition includes the Zebra Coalition Foundation & Board of Directors, Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, Department of Children and Families, City of Orlando, Disney and Universal. We also receive federal funding that is managed through Aspire Health Partners (Drug-Free Communities Grant). In 2016, Zebra Coalition provided services to 182 youth at the drop-in center. A total of 119 youth have been sheltered in the housing program at Zebra Coalition, and 26 homeless youth have been sheltered in 2016. During the 2015-2016 academic year, Zebra Coalition provided outreach and training to 307 students from five high schools and 72 teachers and administrators from schools across Orange County. The “Creating Safe Spaces” curriculum is designed for both students and administrators to support LGBTQ+ youth through bullying prevention and social justice advocacy. Topics that are covered include a brief LGBTQ+ 101, issues that LGBTQ+ students face in the school in regards to safety and how to best support and advocate for LGBTQ+ students. In addition to providing training to the schools, Zebra Coalition has also facilitated LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency training to local businesses, social service agencies and churches. In 2016, 155 people were trained on LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency. This training covers topics like terminology, sexual orientation and gender concepts, transgender culture, coming out process, types of oppression, macroaggressions and intersectionality. In April 2016, Zebra Coalition held a GSA Meet-Up at the Youth Center for students, faculty sponsors and Safe Coordinators to discuss the specialized needs of LGBTQ+ youth and to launch our Zebra Student Ambassador Program. Over 25 people attended with representation from seven different schools, 15 youth and four sponsors. The purpose of the GSA Meet-Up was to provide a safe space for youth to connect with each other and meet members from across Central Florida. The Zebra Coalition’s Youth Council The Zebra Coalition’s Youth Council, a committee of Central Florida youth ages 13-24, hosts activities and social gatherings for the community's youth that provide safe, healthy and supportive spaces and activities for youth to hang out with their friends. There are currently nine active youth members in the Youth Council, and meetings are on a weekly basis at the Youth Center. The Zebra Youth Ambassador Project is part of the work of Zebra Coalition to ensure safe and affirming schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Zebra Youth Ambassadors provide a voice and perspective to the organization’s programming in partnership with staff and community allies. to gain self-awareness and identify ways of taking control of your life. Help create a safe place to reflect, process, become empowered and learn about yourself with the support of your peers. (Ages 13-24.) With the growing awareness of transgender topics, Zebra Coalition is offering a gender variant meetup to support youth. This meetup will focus on discussions regarding gender identification, healthy living, finding support and other topics that will meet the needs of the participants. (Ages 13-17.) Is it your birthday this month? Did you just accomplish something in your life? Did you pass a test, get a job or have new and exciting experience? Well come meet up with other LGBT+ youth to celebrate your accomplishment. We will be celebrating with great food, games and company. (Ages 13-24.) Calling all gamers! The Zebra Coalition Youth Center has been technologically enhanced. Come play all sorts of games with your fellow gamers. Accessible for your entertainment is the brand new Promethean screen with connection to the Xbox Console plus Kinect. Come play video games, apps or our collection of classic board games.We also welcome new games you are welcome to bring. We hope to see your skills real soon! (Ages 13-24.)