Advancing Inclusion: Conversations on Embracing the LGBTQ+ Community and Empowering Youth

Ahead of the anniversary of the historic Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 – a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ movement, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan engages in a discussion with Stan JR Zerkowski, the Executive Director of Fortunate Families. This Catholic ministry based in Lexington, Kentucky is dedicated to fostering respectful conversations within the church about the dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals. They explore ways to embrace and include the LGBTQ+ community within the church. Furthermore, Bobby Gates, Program Director of Youth Employment and College Readiness Program at Alianza Youth Services, a division of Catholic Charities, shares insights into the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). As summer vacation begins, the SYEP not only provides youth with employment opportunities but also equips them with valuable workplace skills, resume writing techniques, and the importance of earning a paycheck for their hard work.