Baltimore is a unique place. Situated almost central to Maryland, it is the largest city in the state by area and population, as well as the 20th largest in the United States. Baltimore has collected the urban spunk and pizazz of the state, and despite the many hardships and caveats associated with it, Baltimore is still comfortably considered “Charm City”. Baltimore, however, is no exception the commonalities of urban communities. We, too, struggle with violence, drug use, prevalence of sexually transmitted disease, and under-resourced public schools. The people we serve are just as colorful and unique as the city, which makes our work especially exciting and interesting, but also extremely important.

Everything that I experienced at Camp GLSEN will be revelant to our work this upcoming year. My co-chair, Kay Halle, and I have devised a program we call “Safe Space for All – Baltimore” which enables us to enter local inner city middle and elementary schools to promote the creation of a safe environment for teachers, students, parents, and community members. We conduct in-classroom workshops and lessons for students with the use of interactive activities, videos, projects, and school-wide initiatives such as No Name Calling Week to encourage students to change their behaviors and create a safe environment for themselves. We also provide training for educators so that they too can be champions of change in the absence of our GLSEN team.

The workshops were extremely helpful. The grant writing workshop taught me everything that I’ve ever wanted to know about the process of writing grants. Before Camp GLSEN, Kay performed all of the grant writing duties. Now, I can help her! The tactical tweets workshop was awesome as well. Personally, I had never used Twitter. But Ikaika and Brian showed me the importance of social media in today’s communication arena and how social media websites such as Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc. can help our work. The educational resources workshop taught me how to be a “directory” of GLSEN resources, how to use them, where to find them, and for who to use them with.

Being able to meet with chapter leaders around the country and to discuss the amazing things they are doing in their hometowns only inspires and fuels the work we do in Baltimore. Having the ability to sit with the GLSEN national team and talk about how they can help us more with our work gives me the reassurance that we are all supported.

The transparency that I experienced at Camp GLSEN proved that we are all devoted to the same goal. I now know how easy it is to request resources, materials, and support from GLSEN National. I now know how GLSEN is on the forefront of the safe schools movement and how each department works together towards the main goal. I now have a face to every name printed on every resource, as well as how to use and where to find them.

Camp GLSEN was truly a remarkable event, and no GLSEN career can be complete without attending at least once. Hint hint, I’m definitely interested in attending again next year! I wish everyone a successful school year.

Jabari Lyles
Co-Chair
GLSEN Baltimore

Check out some GLSEN Resources and create safer schools in your community:

• Ally Week: Coming up on October 15-19; celebrate allies to LGBT youth!
• Ready, Set, Respect!: a resource in creating safer schools for elementary schools
• Safe Space Kit: a tool for educators of secondary schools on ensuring there are safe spaces for all students to learn
• Jump-Start Guide: a phenomenal guide for students and GSAs

Juliann is GLSEN’s Student Engagement Associate and national liaison to GLSEN Baltimore. Ikaika is GLSEN’s Chapter Engagement Associate and Brian is GLSEN’s Online Strategies Manager.