LEWISTON – Western Maine Community Action Health Services has announced that Outright/Lewiston-Auburn, the agency’s program for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, has been awarded a grant from the Maine Community Foundation.

“We’re very pleased that the foundation chose to fund Outright/L-A for another year,” said Penny Sargent, Outright/L-A program coordinator. “Their support expresses an understanding of the need for this type of program and the value of keeping it going.”

Outright/L-A was awarded $7,500 from the Catawamteak Fund of the Maine Community Foundation.

The funds will be used to expand the program’s outreach activities and to support ongoing work to increase the program’s sustainability.

“Outright/L-A is the only program of its kind in the tri-county area,” said Sargent. “It’s critical that we get continued support from the community if we are to keep providing for the young people who depend on our program.”

The program, which recently marked its 10th anniversary, began when a group of youth and adults in the Lewiston-Auburn area recognized the need for programming in support of sexual minority youth.

A community-based effort led to the creation of Outright/Lewiston-Auburn. Once housed in a local HIV prevention organization, Outright/L-A became part of Western Maine Community Action in July 2005.

The mission of Outright/L-A is to provide safe and supportive environments for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Outright/L-A does it through a variety of programming, including weekly drop-in sessions, after-school programming, educational opportunities and social activities.

The program relies on volunteers for its programming and individual donors for financial support. For more information about youth programming or to become involved as a volunteer with Outright/L-A, call 795-8956. Outright/Lewiston-Auburn is also on-line at www.outrightla.org.

A statewide organization with offices in Ellsworth and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation works in partnership with donors and community groups to strengthen Maine. For more information visit www.mainecf.org or call toll-free 1-877-700-6800.