4.22.19 Safe Homes Gala.. Laura and Karen join Joe in studio to talk about the annual Gala

On today’s show, Laura Farnsworth, Safe Homes Director.. and Karen Goldenberg join Joe and Teddy in studio to talk about the annual Safe Homes Gala.. we breakdown the Awards of Courage and the recipients.+

We broke down the awards and recipients

For Tickets and more info: 2019 Gala

Open Sky Community Services Honors “Legacy of Courage” Awardees at 2019 Safe Homes Gala
Worcester County’s only peer-led LGBTQ+ teen program recognizes key supporters
(Worcester, MA – April 18, 2019) Open Sky Community Services is pleased to announce the 2019
recipients of the People of Courage Awards to be awarded at the 2019 Annual Safe Homes Gala
scheduled for May 3 at the AC Marriott in Worcester. The 2019 theme is “Legacy of Courage,” with all of
the awardees demonstrating the willingness to stand up in support of respect, recognition, and inclusion
for LGBTQ+ communities in Central Massachusetts.

This year, the award recipient for the Public Service Award is Jordan Evans, Vice Chairwoman of the
Charlton Public Library Board of Trustees, who also serves as a town constable and is a Dudley-Charlton
Education Foundation board member. Using her personal experience of coming out as transgender,
Evans has become a sought-after advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. As part of the “Yes on 3
Campaign,” she was instrumental in having the Charlton Board of Selectmen and Library Board adopt
resolutions formally joining the coalition to uphold transgender public accommodations.

2019’s Young Adult Award recipient is Tatalia Hamilton. A peer leader at Safe Homes since 2015,
Hamilton is a tremendous asset to the Safe Homes community as she regularly runs groups focusing on
topics such as racism, beauty standards in our society, and coming out.

The Worcester Historical Museum is the recipient of the 2019 Corporate Award. The museum has been
the recipient of a $15,000 grant for a project on the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Worcester
County. This program includes the collection of oral histories, the creation of an LGBTQ+ archive, and
educational programming to complement an exhibit on Gay Worcester. The exhibition will run at the
museum from April-October 2019.

Michael Patrick Lyons, teacher and administrator for the Worcester Public Schools is the recipient of the
2019 Volunteer Award. Whether volunteering for a cause or serving on a nonprofit board, Lyons has
successfully brought diverse groups of people together to support the causes he believes in and raised
millions of dollars in the process. He has been recognized with the Thomas S. Green Public Service
Award, Hometown Hero Award for the City of Worcester and many others. In addition to numerous
boards and committees, Lyons also serves as a corporator for Open Sky Community Services.

Worcester native Rushelle Frazier is 2019’s Social Justice Advocacy and Action Award recipient.
Rushelle was a field organizer with the “Yes on 3 Campaign” and in 2018 was the co-Grand Marshall of
the Worcester Pride Parade. Frazier is currently a New England field organizer for Amnesty International.
Safe Homes is an Open Sky Community Services program providing a drop-in center and peer-led
services and supports for LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-23.

Safe Homes relies on donations and grants for all of the program’s funding. This year’s gala presenting sponsor is Fallon Health. Other sponsors include Hanover Insurance, Rockland Trust, Arbor Associates, Revelation Productions, Reliant Medical Group,
Comprehensive Benefit Administrators, MSG Staffing, People’s United Bank, 401KQuote, Ehana,
AAFCPAs, Lincoln Financial Group, Saint Gobain, HEARD Strategy and Storytelling, UMass Medical
School, the College of the Holy Cross, Philadelphia Insurance Company, LUK, Chandler Pediatrics and
Interior Resources.

For more information on Safe Homes, gala tickets or to sponsor, visit Safe Homes.