Newsletter Summer Fall 2011 FINAL

We are in process of identifying the core values of

RECLAIM that will inform the development of

the organization at a structural and cultural level.

They are:

Intentionality

Transparency/Accountability

Rapid response to challenges both internal and

external

Value-directed decision making

Openness to both transforming and being

transformed

Gratitude

We will hold each of our decisions up to these values using them as guideposts so

that we do not lose our way, particularly during times that are politically and eco-

nomically challenging.

Director’s Notes

P R O V I D I N G A C C E S S T O M E N T A L

H E A L T H S E R V I C E S F O R L G B T

Y O U T H

N O V M E B E R 1 5 , 2 0 1 0

Summer / Fall 2011

Advisory Board Members

Gilbert Achay

Roxanne An-derson

MJ Gilbert, MSW, LICSW

RECLAIM Staff

"Care I received through IHS was an essential part of my process of

getting clean and sober. The fact that these services were so easily accessible gave me the choice to

turn to them rather than drugs and alcohol. Acupuncture I received was particularly important during a time

when I was dealing with intense physiological withdrawal and crav-

ings. Many times in my life I have felt that my only option was to turn

to substances to deal with things that were beyond what I could han-

dle. This accessible and effective support, given from a place of deep

generosity and care, gave me the experience of different possibilities and allowed me to make different

choices. This has had a huge impact on my mental and physical health."

Client

Organizational Development

Beth Zemsky will be working with RECLAIM

over the next year to assist with organizational

development and restructuring. This support/

consultation is made possible through technical

assistance funding from RHI and is critical in as-

sisting RECLAIM to develop in ways that are con-

gruent with its mission. It is our intention that that

everyone involved with RECLAIM, staff, volun-

teers and clients alike are all reclaiming our lives

from oppression in all its forms.

Thanks to Gary Schoener for consulting with RE-

CLAIM regarding building a framework for relation-

ships at RECLAIM that are founded in ethical and re-

spectful practices. Gary has been a clear voice in the

community for decades for solid ethical thinking and

practices. We stand in a long line of people and organ-

izations who owe him our respect and gratitude.

Janet Bystrom,

MSW, LICSW

Director / Therapist

Nicholas Metcalf, MSW

Development Director

Find us on Facebook at places

Reclaim Non Profit Org

For the latest info...

Anna Stern, MSW Intern

Nikhil Kaistha, LPC Intern

Thank You! RECLAIM owes much of its success to the dedica-tion of volunteers who have contributed literally hundreds of hours of sup-port. We wish to high-light some people who have made significant contributions and deeply regret any oversights!

Volunteers

Katie Burgess

Terry Dickelman

Florence Dillon

Dana Jeffries

Marcy Micek

Jennifer Mouchet

Alex Iantaffi

Alex Jackson Nelson

Moe Norton-Westbook

Drake Oakley

Qamar Saadiq-Saoud

Alex Younger

Interns

Nikhil Kaistha, LPC

Anna Stern, MSW Intern

Funders

AHS Foundation Charter Oak Foundation Sister’s of St. Joseph Rainbow Health Initiative

Special Thanks

Andrew Schmitz for do-nating free hair cuts to RECLAIM clients

Dr. Rhys Preston for al-lowing RELCAIM Families to share his space for their meetings

Sage Meditation

Lhasa OMS

Pizza Luce

Wedge Co-Op

Linden Hills Co-Op

Find us on Facebook at places Reclaim Non Profit Org or at our website http://reclaim-lgbtyouth.org/

Building Connections: Anoka-Hennepin We are acutely aware of the challenges being faced by the youth, families and school staff in the Anoka-Hennepin School District and anticipate this will be a challenging year. We are building bridges of rela-tionships so we can re-

spond rapidly when there are young people in cri-sis. Steps include:

*Tabling at Anoka Youth Pride 8/8/11

*We spoke at a well-attended PFLAG chapter meeting in Anoka on

8/28/11

*A house party was host-ed in Andover on 9/27/11 to further network with concerned community members on behalf of LGBT youth who may be in crisis

Integrative Health Services Continues... 74% report hav-

ing been har-

assed due to

perceived sexual

orientation or

gender expres-

sion

51% uninsured

38% of clients

have used IHS

40% current

smokers

In 2011, these volunteers have provided in excess of 75 individual

and group support sessions to RECLAIM Clients. The program is

currently being co-led by Moe Norton-Westbrook, Dana Jeffries

and Janet Bystrom.

Maryrose

Dolezal

Global Somatics

Said Parker

Massage

Christy Lillibridge

Acupuncture

Jake Kiakahi

RCT/EFT/Homeopathy

Dr. Rhys Preston

Chiropractic /

Nutritional Wellness

List

of

I.H

.S P

rovi

de

rs

Stacy Husebo

Meditation

RECLAIM Services

Individual and Family Therapy Services are provided by a licensed mental health professional. These sessions are

available to clients regardless of their ability to pay. Effective integration of sexual

orientation and gender identity is critical to accomplish successful transition from

adolescence to adulthood; this is the focus of most individual and family sessions.

Support Groups There are two support groups, the Gender Exploration Group and RECLAIM Fami-

lies. Group is a place where young people can articulate their hopes and fears and

encourage one another to find the strength to live their lives with authenticity and

power.


L

RECLAIM Story This is an excerpt of an e-mail from a par-

ticipant who has approved this being shared

(Note: It has been edited for length):

...So, thanks. I wanted to recognize this

here, in a way that it might be saved. I don't

want to forget it in the morning or tonight. I

want to remember June 22. Because, I feel

like, although there is a very deep longing,

and although... A lot of sadness has been

kind of waking up inside of me in a new

way over these past few weeks, a lot of

old habits that don't meld with what my

truth is, have been resurfacing i feel more

honest and able to face them. Even though

it's scary. I'm kind of excited to face them

in a more honest light. I've gone through

old notes that I'd taken from other thera-

pists. And, ruminated on how I interacted

with them. It's, I feel, in a very, real way...

that it's a miracle that I've found Reclaim.

So, thank you for making this available.

Thank you for heading this and making it

affordable. Thank you for choosing this

profession...You said before that you prac-

tice the way that you do because it allows

you to love people the easiest. I do, in a

very real way, despite all my insecurities

and all of the doubts I've had and continue

to have about how I interact with people,

believe that you love me as a human…I

used to always believe that was true of eve-

ryone but me. i feel as though, because of

this past year and some change that Re-

claim has helped me find a bit of that poten-

tial and hope for my future, and although

it's difficult for me to picture a future some-

times, it is FAR easier for me to picture

who I am. I'm finding that as each day pass-

es, in a way, I'm beginning to like the por-

trait that has been laid out for me by Nature

and God. So, thanks.

Thank You

RECLAIM thanks Alex Jack-

son Nelson for almost a decade

of commitment to the Gender

Exploration Group. RECLAIM

thanks Alex Jackson Nelson for

almost a decade of commitment

to the Gender Exploration

Group. We held a celebration

of his contributions at the Ex-

change on June 30th. He con-

cluded his position of co-

facilitator of the Gender Explo-

ration Group and has re-located

to Washington D.C. where he is

pursuing his Master's Degree in Social Work at Gallaudet Univer-

sity, the only deaf university in the world.

Lenny served on the Advisory Board for over a year and recently

relocated to Morton, MN to work as a Mental Health Therapist with

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibeway! Thank you for service to LGBT youth.

Lenny

Hayes

Congrats & Good Luck!

Qamar Saadiq Saoud : New Support Group Facilitator Anna Stern (MSW Intern)

For the past ten years, Anna Stern has worked

with domestic and sexual

violence victims in shelter,

the court system, and as

the coordinator of the

statewide Day One net-

work. She has also been

actively engaged in social

justice work, particularly

around strengthening do-

mestic and sexual violence

services for marginalized

communities. She comes

to RECLAIM eager to

broaden her experience

working with individuals, and to be challenged in

her beliefs and assumptions. Anna Stern is cur-

rently pursuing a Masters in Social Work at the

University of MN.

Welcome to RELCAIM


Alex Iantaffi Joins RECLAIM

Alex Iantaffi is a queer, transmasculine licensed marriage and family

therapist. He is also a parent, activist, researcher and writer. Alex is

Italian-born and has lived and worked in Italy, the United Kingdom

and, for the past three years, in Minneapolis (MN). His research and

writing have focused on gender, disability, sexuality and relationships

and he is Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Sexual and Relationship

Therapy. He is currently working at the University of Minnesota, in

the School of Public Health, for the HIPS Program, as an HIV pre-

vention researcher, after completing a Postdoctoral Fellowship with the Program in Human Sexuality.

Alex's approach to therapy and healing is rooted in systemic approaches and Narrative Therapy, which

have led to a firm belief in the importance of stories and relationships. He feels honored to have been

able to work with trans and gender non-conforming children, young people and their families, and is

looking forward to volunteering at Reclaim!

Anna Stern: New MSW Intern

We warmly welcome Qamar Saadiq-Saoud as co-facilitator of the Gender Exploration Group. Qamar is a former group member and has been a youth worker at Avenues for Youth for the last 4 years. He is a wise, gentle self-proclaimed geek!

In honor of the generosity and intentions of donors such as yourself, the following phrase is repeated at the beginning of every session:

“Many people you do not know and may never meet have given generously of themselves to make this support possible. They want

you to know that you are beautiful just as you are. If you are ever feeling alone or unloved please remember this.”-J. Bystrom

You may also make a one-time donation or schedule payments via credit card on-line at: http://givemn.razoo.com

So that we may thank you personally:

NAME_____________________________________________________ _____I’d like to give $25 _____I’d like to give $50

ADDRESS__________________________________________________

PHONE____________________________________________________ _____I’d like to give $100 _____I’d like to give $___

E-MAIL____________________________________________________

I am open to being publicly acknowledged as a donor _____Yes _____No, Thank you

Your tax deductible gift enables RECLAIM to offer support to every youth who is ready to take action to begin reclaiming their

lives, regardless of access to resources. Enclosed is an addressed envelope for you to send in your donation.

RECLAIM is a member of TYSN as

a demonstration of our commit-

ment of accessible and respectful

care to the trans community.

What is Give to the Max Day? Give to the Max Day is a day for Minnesotans to

come together to raise as much money as possible

for nonprofits in 24 hours – starting at midnight on

November 16 through midnight on November 17. By engaging as many donors as possible to give to

their favorite Minnesota charities in one day – Give

to the Max Day — GiveMN.org is showcasing Min-

nesota’s unparalleled generosity to the world!

What is GiveMN? GiveMN is a collaborative venture to transform

philanthropy in Minnesota by growing overall giv-

ing and moving more of it online. GiveMN is an

independent 501(c) (3) supporting organization of

the Minnesota Community Foundation. Through its engaging web platform launched in

November 2009, GiveMN helps nonprofit organiza-

tions of all sizes reach new donors, increases giving

through fun and engaging campaigns and signifi-

cantly reduces overall fundraising costs.

GiveMN helps individuals find, learn and contribute

to Minnesota and national programs, facilitates

quick and easy online donations by credit card and

organizes online charitable contributions in one

location.

Upcoming Event

RECLAIM Training

MN Trans Health Coalition

Conference

Dana Jeffries, Moe Norton-

Westbrook and Janet Bystrom

co-presented on ―The Powerful

Client‖ sharing about the IHS

model at RECLAIM that ad-

dresses issues of power, safety

and communication in mental

health and health care interac-

tions, particularly involving

people who are marginalized

and have had oppressive expe-

riences receiving care.

Training for Prairie Care

Janet Bystrom led a training on

August 4th regarding working

with adolescents, sexual orien-

tation and gender identity. Ap-

proximately 80 people, primari-

ly mental health professionals

were in attendance. Thanks to

Prairie Care for inviting us to

share and for the participants

who contributed to the dialogue.

http://givemn.razoo.com

Documents

Newsletter Summer Fall 2011 FINAL