Announcing the passing of Gloria Kapp

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our vice president and dear friend, Gloria Kapp, who died last week of heart failure. Gloria joined the Safe Schools Desert Cities Board of Directors in 2016, after retiring from a forty-year career in higher education at the California State University locations in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and San Bernardino. In addition to her role as vice president, Gloria chaired the Awards and Scholarships Committee, utilizing her extensive experience to help countless numbers of students achieve academic success. Gloria lived a remarkable life of service. She was an inspiration and we will miss her deeply. We send sincere condolences to Gloria’s wife, Joan, her extended family, and to all who knew and loved her. May she rest in peace.

Safe Schools “Out at the Fair” and at 29 Palms Pride Fest

Safe Schools out in the community. On Saturday, February 18, Board Member Tori St Johns hosted a table at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival for “Out at the Fair,” celebrating diversity and inclusiveness at the fair.

On Saturday, April 8, Board Member Jennifer Jungwirth represented Safe Schools Desert Cities at 29 Palms Pride Fest, held at Freedom Plaza in downtown Twentynine Palms. The day featured live music, drag queens and kings, food, a silent disco and more.

 

CV Giving Day

The inaugural Coachella Valley Giving Day launched on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, and Safe Schools Desert Cities was a recipient. Thanks to a recent partnership between First Bank and The Desert Community Foundation, CV Giving day raises money and awareness for Coachella Valley nonprofits during the 24-hour online giving challenge. Please visit our giving page https://www.cvgivingday.org and stay tuned for 2024 to support Safe Schools Desert Cities and your favorite charities. Donations help fund our events, including the Rainbow Youth Summit, Summer Leadership & Empowerment Camp, Pride Prom, and the Youth Zone at Palm Springs Pride. For more information, please visit CVGivingDay.org.

Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Coachella Valley is coming May 11, 2023

Each May, the Harvey Milk Coachella Valley Diversity Breakfast is held at the Palm Springs Convention Center. This inspiring event gathers hundreds of equality and justice supporters, celebrated in memory of the late Harvey Milk, who became the first openly gay man elected to office in California.

Milk was a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for only eleven months when he and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were assassinated on November 27, 1978, following the successful campaigning for a bill banning discrimination in public accommodations, housing, and employment based on sexual orientation.

Proceeds from the event benefit valley youth through Gay Straight Alliances and other LGBTQ youth-related events. In fact, proceeds from this year’s event will be used to pay for our students to attend the event once again and for the buses that take them to the convention center.

Students arrive prior to the official opening of the doors for time to listen and to ask questions of special guest speakers before taking their seats for breakfast. Many of the students participate in the parade of flags reminding us that not all countries in the world embrace the basic human rights of equality and justice. Awards are presented in a myriad of categories to students who have spoken from their hearts in print, in video, and in actions.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click or tap here.

Scholarship Awards Reception 2023

On Sunday, March 26, 2023, Safe Schools Desert Cities presented 21 students with the Burton-May Pride Award. This award recognizes outstanding LGBTQ+ students who demonstrate a positive self-image among other LGBTQ+ youth. The awards range from $500 to $1,500 and provide support for educational expenses following high school (trade school, training program, community college, or university). Congratulations to all the winners!

The Burton/May Pride Awards are made possible through the generosity of our sponsors: John Burton and Ken May, Brothers of the Desert, Desert Business Association, Inland Empire Community Foundation, Unitarian Universalist Church of The Desert, Coachella Valley Coffee, Taste Specific, Jonathan Espy, Gloria Kapp & Joan Elliott, Carl Nelson, Tori St Johns, Joe Staley & Stuart Clayton (honoring Joyce Sherrie Clayton), Michael Tillison, David & Heidi Erlanger, Al Jones, Michael McGrady & Ken Thomas, Bill Tumulty, David Powell, UCR Palm Desert Center, Lynn Hammond Catering, Jack Fitzsimmons, and Peter East. We are grateful for your support!

To learn how you can support our scholarship program, see Pride Award and/or Financial Assistance Award.

Rainbow Youth Summit 2023

On Saturday, March 11, 2023, over 100 middle and high school students from the Coachella Valley and several surrounding communities gathered at the UCR Palm Desert Center for the annual Rainbow Youth Summit—our first since 2020!

Participating students listened to inspirational speakers, visited information tables, and participated in workshops. Special thanks to Peter Daut, of KESQ Newschannel 3; Palm Springs City Council Member, Lisa Middleton; and KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs radio personalities, John Taylor, Chris Shebel, and Eric Ornelas for inspiring our LGBTQ+ kids to be their authentic selves.

Presentations, exhibits, and entertainment were provided by several organizations, including Free Mom Hugs, The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, DAP Health, Planned Parenthood, College of the Desert, L-Fund, Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health, Desert Recreation District, Author Ryan Sallans, presented by The Transgender Health & Wellness Center-Inland Empire, DSUSD, CVUSD, UCR Palm Desert Center, Shann Carr, Brian Wanzek, Timothy McIntosh, and Carol Kamenis. Financial support was provided by The American Express Impact Through Golf Foundation and NPO Centric RAP Foundation. We thank them for making this event possible.

LGBTQ+ Leadership & Empowerment Camp 2023

The Safe Schools Desert Cities LGBTQ summer camp returns from June 8 to 11 for high school students (next school year’s 10th, 11th, and 12th graders). Campers will experience a fun-filled long weekend focused on leadership, personal enrichment, resilience, and community. Activities will include hiking, archery, paintball, rock climbing, swimming, canoeing, arts & crafts, and more! The four-day, three-night camp is co-sponsored by DAP Health and other donors and is limited to 40 students. Meals, lodging, and transportation are included. Participation is free (a $40 registration fee will be refunded on the last day of camp). For details and to register, please go to SafeSchoolsDC.org/events.

Pride Prom 2023

On May 12, 2023, Safe Schools Desert Cities will return to the Palm Springs Air Museum for its annual Pride Prom celebration. Open to area high school and college students (up to age 22), the Pride Prom offers LGBTQ+ students and their allies an opportunity to celebrate their authentic selves with a spectacular night of dancing, food, and fun in a welcoming, safe, and affirming environment.

This year’s event will include fantastic food, thanks to our friends at Lulu Palm Springs. A fresh beef, chicken, or veggie slider station will be available, along with grab-and-go pasta and fruit cups, plus cotton candy and popcorn.

The entertainment for the evening will be DJ and drag, featuring our favorite host/emcee, Ms. Bella da Ball, and special guest performers. This will be a night to remember.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. If you would like to help support this event, please see click here.

Tickets are on sale now at SafeSchoolsDC.org/events (no one is ever turned away for lack of ability to pay).

What: Pride Prom

When: Friday, March 12, 2023, 8:00 to 11:30 pm

Where: Palm Springs Air Museum

Tickets: $30 in advance. $35 at the door.

Theme: 80’s Pac-Man

Dress: Express yourself!

Goldenvoice presents Queer+, Accessible+

Goldenvoice is offering a couple of new programs for people who identify as LGBTQ+ and/or Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). These programs are for those 18 and older.

Queer+
A new program at Coachella this year that offers people ages 18 or older that identify as BIPOC and LGBTQ+ an opportunity to partake in a very unique program at the festival called Queer+. The Queer+ program includes community and career development opportunities, camping at the festival and VIP (or better) access to the festival performances and activations. Learn more about Queer+ here.

Applications to partake in the Queer+ program at Coachella 2023 are now open! Please extend this invitation to apply to your network and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Deadline to apply is Feb 10, 2023. Apply here.

Accessible+
Another new program at Coachella this year offers BIPOC-identifying people living with disabilities an opportunity to partake in a very unique program at the festival called Accessible+. The Accessible+ program includes career development opportunities, camping at the festival and VIP (or better) access to the festival performances and activations. Learn more about Accessible+ here.

Applications to partake in the Accessible+ program at Coachella 2023 are now open! Deadline to apply is Feb 10, 2023. Apply here.

Rainbow Youth Summit

The annual Rainbow Youth Summit, held each year at the UCR Palm Desert Campus, presents a full day of activities for local LGBTQ+ middle and high school students and their adult advisors. With a program designed to teach leadership and empowerment skills, participants have an opportunity to participate in workshops and breakout sessions and listen to inspirational speakers. The students also get to have some fun. The day concludes with a live DJ and musical entertainment. The Rainbow Youth Summit is open to GSA Club members in middle and high schools in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities. For more information, see our online event calendar.

PO Box 1662
Palm Springs, CA 92263

Safe Schools Desert Cities Corp is a registered non‐profit 501(c)(3) public charity organization and contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

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