Friends of LCCS is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and families served by Lucas County Children Services and committed to generating community awareness of the need for more foster and adoptive homes.

The funds would be used to fund the following initiatives:

1. The establishment of a support group for LGBTQ+ teens under the care and protection of Lucas County Children Services. 

a. Monthly support meetings for teens at Grindhrs coffee house and various other locations in Toledo area. 

b. Quarterly social events/activities throughout Toledo area. 

c. Annual retreat for the teens with special programming targeted to the unique needs, challenges and concerns of LGBTQ+ teens involved in the child welfare system. 

2. Sponsorship of recruitment events targeting potential LGBQT+ foster and adoptive parents.

Phone: 419-283-7441 

Email: [email protected]  

The BGSU Office of Multicultural Affairs is committed to providing advocacy, support, and education in pursuit of a more equitable and socially just University and community. The BGSU Office of Multicultural Affairs envisions an intentional, equitable, and inclusive campus community where all experience mattering and belonging, particularly those marginalized due to their race, ethnicity, culture, gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, and/or sexual orientation. We provide education, celebration, and support of LGBTQ+ students, faculty, staff, and community members, including but not limited to: LGBTQ+ inclusion and allyship workshops, support groups, education and social programs, LGBTQ+ graduation recognition and celebration, etc. 

If our Rainbow Fund were to receive proceeds from the Holiday with Heart Fund, we could boost our programming efforts for the year (e.g., enhance our Lavender Graduation [LGBTQ+ student

graduation ceremony], offer a PRIDE celebration during Summer 2021) and/or earmark the funds to be used for the Advocacy Assistance Fund (i.e., LGBTQ+ students’ emergency fund.

Phone: 419 372 2642 

Email: [email protected]

Our mission is to empower our diverse community to lead healthy, successful lives through focused resources, inclusive activities, and a vibrant supportive network serving Findlay and the surrounding communities. LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay has held 501(c)3 status since 2010. We believe that by doing this work we are facilitating a platform for local advocacy and helping to bring awareness of LGBTQ+ community needs to the community at large. We have established local and statewide connections, which allows us to engage in helping to create lived equality for our community and beyond. In 2016 LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay implemented monthly support groups with the hope of emulating PFlag style sessions. Since then, the group has evolved and now meets three times per month and includes several sub-groups. The board saw a real need in the community for a youth specific support group that focuses primarily on youth aged 13-18yrs. This group has seen consistent increases in attendance from the trans and gender non-conforming population. Licensed professionals that are employed by LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay facilitate all our groups. Throughout the 2021 program year, we encountered and overcame difficulties around COVID-19 and social distancing. Through the pandemic, we continued to bring our groups together with the help of the Holiday with Heart Fund. 

Moving forward with the support groups we hope to increase local awareness by increasing marketing efforts and continuing to collaborate with other local nonprofits such as NAMI Hancock County and FOCUS: Recovery and Wellness Community. The current overall budget for our support groups is $5,000 per year and we would allocate funds from Holiday with Heart to ensure we can still run this service, as well as look to future improvements.

Phone: 814-880-9346

Email: [email protected]