Rami El Gharib

Restorative Justice Coordinator

YouthZone Restorative Justice program has received a $25,000 micro-grant from the Colorado Restorative Justice Coordinating Council. This grant will be used to fund the valley’s first youth LGBTQ+ safe space, known as The Space. 

Having lived in Lebanon as an openly gay teen, I know the importance of a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth. That space was an essential part of building self-esteem and feeling loved, and it helped shape who I am today.

After arriving in the Roaring Fork Valley, I noticed that there were not any LGBTQ+ safe spaces in the valley. Different LGBTQ+ community partners also expressed concern about the gap that this valley faces from the lack of safe spaces.

According to a research study conducted in 2017 by Healthy Kids Colorado, 56.3% of LGB High School students in Pitkin and Garfield county seriously considered attempting suicide during the past 12 months, compared to 13.8% of their straight peers.

LGBTQ+ youth in the valley are underserved and face a lot of hostility from their communities. I thought that creating a safe space and adding a Restorative Justice component would be great way to address and repair harm done to LGBTQ+ youth and provide them with tools to deal with conflict.

After much research and outreach, YouthZone has taken the initiative to start the first LGBTQ+ safe space for high school students. This space will allow LGBTQ+ youth to address struggles they are facing, have a space to talk and build a sense of community, and actively find ways to communicate with the larger communities they live in.

This safe space is unique because it includes a Restorative Practices component. Youth will go around a Restorative Circle to address different topics they want to dive in to. The youth will also be taught tools to communicate in a Restorative manner.

There will also be a monthly adult LGBTQ+ guest that will share with the youth their success and the struggles they have faced.

The LGBTQ+ safe space will start on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 4:30 p.m. at YouthZone, 413 9^th Street, Glenwood Springs. Future times and dates may change based on community needs. If you have interest in joining this week’s safe space, please contact Rami El Gharib at [email protected].