Safe Schools South Florida

Safe Schools South Florida (SSSF), established in 1991, stands as a pioneering beacon in the LGBTQ+ community and is recognized as one of the region's most enduring non-profit organizations dedicated to LGBTQ+ advocacy. Our mission is deeply rooted in creating a more inclusive, supportive world for LGBTQ+ youth, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and valued.

Our work has garnered national attention from the American Federation of Teachers and state-wide recognition from the Florida Governor's Commission on Youth Suicide Prevention. We pride ourselves on a multifaceted approach to advocacy and education:

1. Policy Advocacy: Collaborating with schools, districts, and agencies to foster inclusive policies.
2. Safe Schools Training: Training over 20,000 educators in partnership with school districts, focusing on creating safer learning environments for LGBTQ+ youth.
3. School Workshops: Tailoring programs to individual schools' needs, thereby impacting an estimated 3 million students.
4. Youth Empowerment: Hosting leadership and empowerment events to build positive self-perception and skills among LGBTQ+ youth.
5. Youth Speaker Training: Developing youth speakers to add depth to our training series.
6. SpeakOUT Bureau: A diverse speakers bureau sharing experiences to support LGBTQ+ students and allies.
7. Educator Training: Training educators in creating safe spaces to recognize, intervene, and prevent all forms of bullying, especially against LGBTQ youth.
8. Virtual Programs: Educating parents, guardians, students, and the community through programs like The Rainbow Roundtable, addressing legislative, social, and technological challenges.
9. Safe Schools TV: Producing digital educational series such as 'Tiffany Explains It All', 'The Tea With Eddie', and 'Queer History 101', addressing LGBTQ+ pop culture, social and political challenges, and responding to legislative changes affecting LGBTQ+ recognition and rights.

Celebrating our scholarship program for exceptional high school seniors, we're expanding this initiative to college students and launching LGBTQ+ Leadership Academies across South Florida, including the Keys. These efforts are in direct response to the evolving challenges faced by our community, including legislative attempts to marginalize LGBTQ+ voices.

In the face of new legislative challenges, our commitment to supporting youth, guiding parents, and equipping educators with tools for acceptance is more crucial than ever. Your continued support enables us to innovate, educate, and inspire. Join us in shaping a more inclusive future for all. Thank you for being our pillar of strength in these transformative times.