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Basic Questions
Questions about Volunteering and getting involved Questions About Other Resources Basic Questions What is JASMYN? JASMYN (Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network) is a non-profit organization in Jacksonville, FL, founded in 1993 who's mission is to build safe space for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (GLBTQQ) youth through 13-23 through nurturing their health and well-being and enhance pride and self-esteem. What does JASMYN do for youth? JASMYN offers a wide range of support groups, a telephone Gay Youth Information Line, and enhances youth empowerment through Youth Council. These programs were created to enrich youth with the fundamentals of leadership and learn the skills necessary to develop themselves as future leaders. For more info about JASMYN's, see Youth Programs. ^back to top^What do I expect when I walk through the doors of the JASMYN Drop-In Center? "JASMYN is so much fun! I have made lots of friends there and even started to facilitate a monthly group of my own!!" -Malena, 22 "You walk through the door and you come into the living room, just like the one I have at home. There are lots of fun things to do like watch movies, play basketball, read, or go onto the internet. Lots of snacks and soda, too...and all for free! There isn't a better place to feel safe and have fun and be comfortable with who you are!" -Matt, 18 "I go to the Drop-In Center, grab a soda, make a friend or two, stay and watch a movie!" "Its all good!" -Bob, 20 Do you have to be a member of JASMYN to come and does it cost anything? You do not have to be a member of JASMYN to participate in the support groups. Each person that comes to the Drop-In Center is asked to fill out an enrollment form and a voluntary confidential informed consent. All services provided at the Drop-In Center are FREE and confidential. When do JASMYN support groups meet? Meeting times for JASMYN's support groups are as follows:
All support groups meet at the JASMYN Drop-In Center, unless otherwise noted. What is the difference between "support group" and "youth group"? A "support group" designates a group where youth and young adults go to discuss personal issues, ask questions, and find support. In a support group, facilitators play a crucial role as they let youth discuss sensitive issues and develop solutions to their problems. A "youth group," by contrast, is a meeting with a looser framework that allows for large-scale discussion, often focusing on one particular issue brought up by one of the youth, or scheduled by staff for Youth Council. What can I do if I can't get a ride to JASMYN? Is there still support for me? You can always find support through our Gay Youth Information Line at (904) 389-0089. the GYI Line is available Thursday through Friday 4pm-10pm and on Saturday 2pm-10pm, plus lots of weekday hours, too. All calls are confidential and you'll always have a friendly ear on the other end. The JASMYN Drop-In Center is bus accessible. You can take the Westside Bus #6 Hyde Park/Cecil Field and it will drop you off a block from the center. Buses are available Monday through Saturday. See a staff member for free bus tokens. GLBTQQ is an acronym that stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning. JASMYN is a safe place for youth to find support for who they are regardless of sexual orientation. Transgender is a broad term whose meaning and usage often depends on the person using it. Generally, however, transgender is used to refer to people who do not fit into standard, accepted gender roles or who have adopted gender roles that do not fit those society thinks they should have. Transvestites (crossdressers) and transsexuals (pre-, post- and non-operative) are those most often identified as transgender. A person can be heterosexual and be transgender. Gay, lesbian and bisexual people who do not cross dress or strive to live their lives as the "opposite sex" may also identify as transgender because their existence falls outside gender norms. Does JASMYN offer HIV testing? JASMYN offers free anonymous and confidential HIV testing using Orasure. Orasure is a 99% accurate oral HIV test without taking blood or using needles. Call the GYI Line (904) 389-0089, to set up an appointment to get your free anonymous or confidential HIV test or you can just come by Saturdays between 2pm and 4pm.. No names, no needles, know your status! What if you are under 23 and are confused about your sexuality, do you automatically place a label as gay or lesbian? Visiting the JASMYN Drop-In Center or coming to the support groups is NOT a statement of sexual orientation, nor do we tell a person he/she is gay, lesbian, bi or trans. It is a safe place to discover he/she feelings and get educated on what's out there and to be safe. I've been out for a couple of years now and don't really need support, what does JASMYN have for me? JASMYN offers a wide range of activities to get involved in. JASMYN also has lots of cool educational and recreational activities that may want to join. You can offer support to other youth by becoming a mentor, learning to answer the GYIL or becoming a facilitator for a support group. Be a part of the JASMYN Youth Council where youth create and plan activities ranging from an alternative prom to rallies in support of human rights. You'll find the friends you make at JASMYN will last a lifetime. Where is the JASMYN Drop-In Center and how do I get there? The JASMYN Drop-In Center is located Jacksonville, FL, in the Riverside area, at 923 Peninsular Place. Directions are available online. To contact the JASMYN office, call 904-389-3857, for the Gay Youth Info Line call 904-389-0089. Or email jasmyn@jasmyn.org. How do I get in touch with JASMYN's webmaster? Just send an email to dmerkan@jasmyn.org. Feel free to make suggestions for additional links, comment on the site, or give any additional feedback.
Questions About Volunteering and Getting Involved I am an adult in the community, what can I do for JASMYN? You can volunteer at the Drop-In Center or be involved in the mentor/tutor program. Adults are also trained to facilitate support groups. Adults as well as youth serve on the Board of Directors, and assist JASMYN with fundraising, building maintenance and youth programs. If you'd like to become more involved, fill out this form and fax it to (904) 389-3089. "I never thought I could make a different. JASMYN's mentoring program only takes a few hours a month. But the look on the youth's face, just to be there for them. Its very meaningful and I love to give back." -Judith, Volunteer "I've found a sense of purpose. Its nice to give back to the community. JASMYN really makes it rewarding." -Brian, Volunteer How do I sign up to volunteer at JASMYN? Check out the Volunteer Page to print out a volunteer form. For further information, call 904-389-0089 or email jasmyn@jasmyn.org. How do I donate money, goods or services or JASMYN? You can send donations to JASMYN, P.O. Box 380103, Jacksonville, FL 32205. Print out a donor card to include with your donation. Make checks payable to JASMYN, Inc, Or call the JASMYN office to talk to someone about donating goods or services 904-389-3857 or email jasmyn@jasmyn.org. JASMYN is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Or you can make a donation online through Network for Good.
Questions About Other Resources What other resources are there online for GLBTQQ youth? Check out our Links page for online resources. What resources are there for educators and school staff? At JASMYN, a group of interested individuals are participating in the Northeast Florida Safe Schools Coalition. In addition, several adult volunteers are active in the Jacksonville chapter of GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network. For more information, call (904) 389-3857. There are also quite a lot of online resources.
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