• A community youth group open to 8th - 12th graders
• An educational program offering diversity training for youth, families, community groups and professionals.
• Support, resources and referral services.

The BemidjiSafe Youth Group is open to 8th - 12th graders who are sensitive to the issues of GLBTQ people and want a safe and supportive place to meet, to learn, and most of all to be completely yourself. Participation in the BemidjiSafe Youth Group does not indicate your sexual identity, and you will never be asked. But, if you decide to reveal your identity or express questions, that information will be treated with respect and remain in confidence. Though our purpose in gathering is mainly to have fun and gain a better understanding of GLBTQ issues, those youth who are facing personal crisis in their life or home may be directed to another program of Evergreen House or referred to other community services for youth and families in distress.

The BemidjiSafe Youth Group meets every Saturdays for youth activities. Please contact Evergreen Community Services for times and locations at (218) 751-8223, Ext. 111.

Speaker's Bureau & Youth Panel

To schedule a presentation, please contact Michelle at Evergreen Community Services at (218) 751-8223, Ext. 111.

The name "BemidjiSafe" was created to parallel the ideals and mission of the SAFE MINNESOTA Foundation which works to support and extend emerging safe spaces for GLBTQ youth in rural Minnesota.

A 1987 study by the Governor's Task Force on Gay and Lesbian Minnesotans reported that the Bemidji "social climate encourages GLBTQ people to hide and live in fear of exposure." The study further found that 80% of GLBTQ youth experience severe social, emotional and cognitive isolation and depression.

To begin the process of breaking the silence in Bemidji, Evergreen House and five other community organizations sponsored a conference entitled "Creating a Healthy Environment" on November 5, 1998. An overwhelming success, 80 community professionals, youth and family members spent the day learning about the needs and concerns of GLBTQ youth. An outgrowth of the conference was the need for GLBTQ youth in Bemidji to have a safe place free of harassment, prejudice, discrimination, assaults and other forms of oppression in which they could meet. This would be a safe place to talk, share, learn and have fun. The conference planning committee set this as their goal for 1999 and set aside $500 from conference revenue to create such a place. In January 1999, a Bemidji High School student told a counselor that she needed a GLBTQ youth group. Evergreen House offered their community room as a safe meeting place, assigned a staff person to the group, and contacted two community members to serve as facilitators. Meetings began for GLBTQ youth and their allies on January 28, 1999.

Funding for BemidjiSafe has been received from the Bemidji United Way, the Philanthrofund Foundation, the Safe Minnesota Foundation, and many private donors.

Program Coordinator: Michelle Henry

email: bemidjisafe@evergreenhouse.org