by Zeena Rivera - SOSea Youth Outreach Director

On Sunday, a few LGBTQ identifying teens stood outside of the Capitol Hill Farmer's Market selling Otter Pops to raise money for a program that will be getting them engaged in service.

'Rainbow Water for Queer Youth' reads one of their signs. But why are Queer youth getting so excited about service?

The value of youth in service is huge. Getting youth productive and giving back to the community is central to Social Outreach Seattle's new youth program, Seattle Queer Youth Doing Service.

The mission statement is as follows: 'Seattle Queer Youth Doing Service (SQYDS) promotes intergenerational cooperation through a common goal of serving the greater Seattle community; pushing LGBTQIA youth out of their comfort zones and helping them realize themselves as citizens with a duty to those around them.'

The goal here is to get Queer youth working for common positive goals with their peers and mentors, playing hard, and working harder.

This first 'Queer Youth Service Day' will be with First Place School on July 12.

As time progresses, I hope that we may be able to have these 'Queer Youth Service Days' every week with a single service organization.

Right now, we're reaching out everywhere we can - food banks, environmental organizations, baby corners - to figure out where our youth will fit and where in the Greater Seattle area many hands are needed to make light work.

After a morning of work, we will be having a water balloon fight open to everyone who helped with the morning of service - mentors and youth alike - and an afternoon of community builders.

Many of these youth are coming to organizations like these looking for ways to wiggle their way into this community. They're trying to find mentors and friends. Oftentimes, you see youth seeking ways to find other youth like themselves, but don't know where to begin. Other times, you have Queer youth like me who just want to make sure that everyone is going to feel welcomed.

If you're interested in joining us on our 'Queer Youth Service Day,' here are the details:

What? LGBTQ mentors and leaders and LGBTQ youth

What? Seattle Queer Youth Doing Service directed by Zeena Rivera, Youth Director at Social Outreach Seattle

When? Saturday, July 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where? Arrive at First Place School - contact Social Outreach Seattle for location. www.socialoutreachseattle.com and on Facebook

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