We may not see Oscar around the office often, as he’s usually out doing cool stuff with the people he supports, but he plays an important role on our team as a valued provider. A nature buff who can relate to anyone, Oscar brings his interests and skills to his work with youth, using therapeutic recreation to help them grow, heal, and build confidence.

I’ve heard so many people say this year that they feel guilty for feeling good, or weird about planning Pride events when the headlines are so bleak. I’ve felt it too -like joy is somehow inappropriate when so much is broken.

Whatever you are feeling at this moment, know you are not alone, not in these feelings and not in this fight. As you’ve shown me before, we are not free until we are all free.

These numbers underscore the urgent need for accessible and effective mental health resources tailored to the LGBTQ+ community. Fortunately, several organizations help create community, promote mental health awareness, and provide direct support.

Our providers regularly incorporate these scenic spots into their work, so we asked them to share some of their favorite recent outdoor escapes. Here’s what they came up with…

A free spirit through and through, her tendency to pop up in unexpected places has made us decide she has the ability to teleport. One minute she’s exploring Duluth, and the next, she’s back in the office providing support and leading groups.

The thing is, harm doesn’t always come from loud, aggressive stigma or discrimination. Sometimes it slips in quietly - through all the tiny decisions made "for someone’s own good" - and slowly strips people of opportunity, confidence, and dignity.

To fully show up for social justice, we must commit to ongoing self-care, and that includes allowing ourselves to be cared for by others. This work is a collective effort, not a solo mission.

At its core, eugenics is the belief that the human species should be “improved” by selectively encouraging certain people to have children while discouraging or even forcibly preventing others from doing so.

Think about the first album or singles you ever purchased. Listen to those recordings and think about what was going on in your life at the time. Do you still enjoy this music? How have your musical preferences changed over time?