June 2024 Newsletter

June is always a busy month at the Amani Center: it is the end of our fiscal year, preparing for mid-year reporting, the start of summer vacation and so much more. Nationally there are many recognition month designations that apply to the work that we do. National PTSD Awareness month, National Men’s Health Awareness Month, National Safety Month, Immigrant Heritage Month and probably most noticeable this month, Pride Month, for the LGBTQ2SIA+ community.

At the Amani Center we are dedicated to serving and supporting every individual with particular attention to supporting individuals who come from historically oppressed or marginalized communities. It may seem that the LGBTQ2SIA+ community has made incredible progress towards equality, but there is still an incredibly long way to go in our rural community and across the globe. We get such a unique view into the lives of individuals and see the difficulties faced by LGBTQ2SIA+ youth and families in our community. We see so many youths who are physically and mentally abused because of identifying as LGBTQ2SIA+, or who are being kicked out of their families. In my time working at the Amani Center, I have seen youth efforts to host pride events canceled due to threats and hate. I have seen families who have had hate speech yelled at them as they walked our streets. We have a long way to go.

It is no wonder why so many of our LGBTQ2SIA+ community remembers remain invisible. We have had LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals in county leadership positions, public service positions, law enforcement, foster parents, prominent business owners and more. Despite working in this community and dedicating my life to public safety and health, I often choose to remain invisible too, for fear that it would change people’s perceptions of me to know. But there are so many times that I wish I could reach out to the youth that we serve and the families in our community and say, I am one of you too. It is not appropriate or my role to do so when youth and families are receiving services at our center. But, for any of you reading: You are not alone, there is community here and people that can help and support you.

Our LGBTQ2SIA+ youth need love, support and acceptance. They need to see visible signs of acceptance and inclusion, and most of all, they need caring adults and parents to show them love.

Thank you,
– Amelia Kercher, Amani Center Executive Director

Pictured below are Amelia and her wife Jenn. They will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary this year.