Manager Meagan will tell you tips and tricks for landing that summer (or permanent job) you have always wanted!  What NOT to wear, Internet insider info, and more!

Finalizing plans for our special health and wellness booth, button making workshop, and special swag!

One of our OUTreach has never, 

(ever!) had a birthday party.  

So guess what?  Today is the day to CELEBRATE and have the most fabulous birthday party EVER.  Bring some snacks, your fav game, or just yourself!  We will have dancing, pizza, a pinata, crafts and button making...and who knows what else?

Decorating is from 3:00 - 3:45, and the party starts at 5:00!

* Go lean "Dolvett's big advice was lean protein and vegetables to lose the weight. He probably said that as many times as he said my name. So my dinner plate will be 50 percent green vegetables, and a protein of some sort." 

Breakfast is often eggs, maybe spinach topped with a little cheese, and toast. "Carbs are a good thing to eat in the morning because you can spend the rest of the day burning them off." 

              

            Smoothie and a Walk

  

Spring is finally here and warmth is gaining on us. I've noticed in the winter I slow down. I don't exercise enough because I'm not outside enough. Once the weather has warmed up I find it difficult to be self driven to exercise. My body has shrunken back into its old ways and the thought of trying to progress again and overcome obstacles is frustrating.

Last summer I had been running or cycling almost every day. I felt on top of the world. The little number of exercise I did each day made a universe of a difference. I was much more positive and it didn't get me down as much when things didn't go perfectly. I believe a big part of seasonal depression resides in not being active enough. It's unbelievable what a twenty minute walk or bike right can do.

 

Just last weekend the weather was so great. Day light savings had just passed and the evening wasn't getting as dark as usual. I had been super stressed out because of a school assignment. I was on the computer from about 1 to 5 that day. I really was in a rut. I kept getting stuck and distracted and I was barely writing any words. I had seen no finishing of the assignment in the near or distant future. I was to the point where I hadn't cared if I passed the class.

 

I texted a friend (distracting myself more) and she suggest I go on a walk. I hadn't really wanted to. I felt too stressed and I needed to finish. Although, the sun was beckoning me I just couldn't pull myself away. Then she bribed me with healthy smoothies (how could I say no?) she would bring to me once I was back from my walk.

 

So I grabbed my iPod and my dog, tucker and headed to the sidewalk. At first I was only going to walk a block or two but then I decided to keep going and I was glad I did. Walking had really given me some peace of mind and cleared my head. I was actually enjoying myself! Crazy stuff! My dog was pretty thrilled himself, given that I rarely walk him.

 

I had been taking pleasure in walking so much I lost track of time. My friend resorted to searching for me because I was making her nervous. She found me and we headed back to my house and indulged in our smoothies. I visited with her for awhile and then got back to work with a cleared head. It was shocking I finished in only about a half hour, when I hadn't seen completion at all.

 

I really was in a better mood and it made things a lot easier. My suggestion to you is to treat yourself to a smoothie (recipes below) and a great walk each day to keep those frowns away!

 

Apricot-Peach Smoothie

• 1 banana

• 1 cup apricot nectar, chilled

• 1 container (8 ounces) low-fat peach yogurt

• 2 tablespoon frozen lemonade concentrate

Blend and enjoy

Orangey

• 1 navel orange, peeled

• 1/4 cup fat-free half-and-half OR  fat-free yogurt

• 2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 4 ice cubes

Blend and enjoy

Bio:

My name is Jess. I am an aspiring filmmaker with too many ideas. I enjoy bike riding on summer mornings. I like to eat healthy most of the time but you can never go wrong with a great slice of pizza. I really take pleasure in attending concerts and connecting with music of all sorts. I am very passionate about my school life and I am very self-motivated. In my free time I watch movies to better understand film-making and how I would like to make my films someday. I'm Jess and I'm pretty cool. 

Monthly Executive Director's Report

In response to the oft asked question "What is OUTreach up to NOW?" we will be sharing the Executive Director's Report. In the interest of space this report is abridged - if you would like more information about any OUTreach programs or activities mentioned here, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or call 801-686-4528.

 

The monthly reports are divided into the sections that match the vision of OUTreach and within the overarching mission of the organization:

OUTreach Resource Center saves lives of LGBT individuals 
and transforms communities.

 

May 24, 2013 Report

 

Community Safety

 

Safe schools and anti-bullying education

• Continuing: A recent bullying incident at Ogden High School has resulted in an educational opportunity for OUTreach youth and the Ogden School District. OUTreach youth from Ogden High School have formed the "Anti Bullying Alliance (ABA).  These youth have attended the PFLAG bullying presentation with Sgt. Stan Penrod and introduced the film "Bully" at a community showing April 11 at the Pleasant Valley Library.
• ABA's repeated requests to meet with Superintendent Smith have been ignored
• An OUTreach youth wrote a letter to the editor (Standard Examiner) highlighting the problem of bullying at Ogden High School
• ABA has been advised that a Title IX complaint may be filed  
• Needs: School connections to set up trainings and assemblies with Jackson

  Diversity training for law enforcement and community organizations 

• Provided diversity training for the case managers' meeting with several agencies, hosted by St. Anne's at the United Way.

Community events to educate and inform

• Equality in our Community:  hosted by Equality Utah. May 28, 6:00 pm, Pleasant Valley Library.
• In planning stage for June:  Bullying and Suicide forum
• June 22:  Healthy Pets, Healthy You Event

Follow up: May 14 Family Acceptance Project "Families are Forever" WSU

220 in attendance, fantastic feedback for an amazing film and event.

 

LGBT awareness and cultural competency throughout community

• Update: Local law clinic ready to schedule training for attorneys
• Continuing: Partnering with Mormons Building Bridges to train at least one person per stake/ward in suicide prevention, Family Acceptance Project theory, bullying resources and homeless youth resources, especially connections to Safe and Sound.
• "LGBT Missionary" Project spearheaded by Nic Maughan
• Needs: OUTreach attorney "Champion" for law clinic; Volunteer to coordinate logistics for statewide community efforts.

  The Make it Better Now Project

• Needs: Volunteers to be part of the organization and leadership and to be trained as ambassadors 

 

Safe at Home

 

Safe and Sound Host Home Program 

• Continuing: Syracuse family now fully vetted and approved for a youth to be placed.
• Graphic design and Web Development firm working on logo and website
• New volunteers statewide helping to create an ambassador network
• Needs:  More ambassadors and help coordinating them

Suicide Prevention and Education throughout community

• Youth (14-17) suicides in Utah in 2012:  23
• Youth suicides in Utah first quarter of 2013: 18

• Continuing: OUTreach is working on a suicide prevention program with national and local experts to be implemented in the Fall.

Strengthening Families 

• Integrating Family Acceptance Project family strengthening techniques into all current program and community offerings.
• Planning for trainings and events for community groups and individuals.   

Homelessness Youth Prevention/Education

• Working with area agencies in making OUTreach offerings more robust with donated food and supplies.
• Begun relationship with local foster care organizations to share training and resources. 
• Needs:  Food, new underwear and socks for homeless youth and youth in need pantry.

OUTreach Center Programs

 

  Youth Leadership Training, Self-Efficacy and Capacity Building:            Health and Wellness

• Jackson has begun speaking at schools
• "Walk and Talk" with Jackson happens every Wednesday after the S'More Support Group
• Jackson has been hired as the full time Health and Wellness Director for OUTreach with an emphasis on bullying and suicide prevention as well as the administration of the tobacco grant.
• A 4 x 30 foot plot in the Oasis Community Garden was planted

Life Coaching and Mentoring

• Continuing: Weekly individual and group classes and workshops on life topics; mentoring of individual youth;
• Youth being mentored to write columns about health and nutrition, learning job skills and increasing self-esteem.           

Educational Advancement, Vocational Training and the Arts

• Next Step has 15 active youth participants and adding more every week.  Topics covered to date include:  career planning, tangible benefits of higher education, goal setting and attainment.
• Held two WIA trainings for youth.
• Field trip to DaVinci Academy's Shakespeare production, May 29; field trip to the ATC Thursday, June 6
• Participating at the Ogden Arts Festival June 8, 2:00 - 4:00 in front of Union Station, painting a piano - stop by!
• Continuing; piano lessons
• Needs: Guitar teacher, painting teacher, donated $10 Wal-Mart gift cards for Next Step incentives

 

     Safe and Sound Host Home Program 

     Suicide Prevention and Education throughout community

     Strengthening Families