OYM Programs Update

To Odyssey youth, young adults, supporters, and our beloved community,

Odyssey Youth Movement has made the difficult decision to return all drop-in programming to a virtual setting starting today, September 1st. We do this for the safety of LGBTQ+ youth and young adult participants across the Inland Northwest, as well as for our community at large. Many of us have seen the rapid rise in COVID case numbers in the past month here in Spokane, and increasing concerns for neighboring communities like North Idaho. Everyone should be doing their part to keep each other safe and this is what Odyssey can do to protect our community.

Odyssey is fortunate that our existing online platforms and our amazing team of staff, volunteers, and mentors allow us to continue providing support to LGBTQ+ youth through digital drop-in programming, facilitated Discord servers, and, in the coming weeks, additional creative options for Odyssey youth and young adults to connect with resources and each other.

If you are looking for more information about Odyssey programs or how to access youth and young adult virtual programming, visit our website HERE or contact us at OYM@odysseyyouth.org. If you are a parent, guardian, or trusted adult of an LGBTQ+ young person who has questions about Odyssey's return to virtual programming, please reach out to Odyssey's Programs Manager Maggie Bolden for any clarifications about Odyssey’s approach and safety practices at maggie@odysseyyouth.org.

If you are currently unvaccinated, please visit the state vaccine locator HERE to access this free, highly effective, FDA-approved defense against COVID-19. It’s as simple as visiting the pharmacy of your neighborhood grocery or drugstore, with appointments available in a range of dates and times. If you don't have transportation to get your vaccine, check out Lyft's free vaccine ride program HERE and Spokane Transit Authority's COVID safety information HERE. If you're looking for more details about the vaccine, visit the Center for Disease Control's Frequently Asked Questions page HERE.

Thank you for your continued support of Odyssey Youth Movement and all LGBTQ+ youth and young adults in the Inland Northwest as we continue our efforts to keep our community safe and healthy in the midst of this pandemic.

Ian Sullivan

Executive Director

Odyssey Youth Movement

ian@odysseyyouth.org

509.325.3637x101