Imagine walking into a room where you don’t have to explain yourself. Where there are snacks on the table, art supplies in the corner, and a group of people saying: “You’re safe here.”
That’s the world being built at the LGBTQ+ Youth Sanctuary in Fredericksburg, Virginia—and we’re honored to support it with our latest Kindness Grant.
Housed within the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg, this grassroots program offers monthly gatherings for LGBTQ+ youth to connect, create, and feel a sense of home. With support from a $1,000 Kindness Grant, the team will expand their programming with inclusive books and games, creative activities like zine-making and button art, nourishing snacks, and inspiring guest speakers.
The grant will also help lay the groundwork for larger community events in partnership with Fredericksburg Pride, including Pride Prom, open mic nights, and youth-led advocacy workshops. These gatherings are joyful, affirming, and (most importantly) designed with care.
At a time when many LGBTQ+ youth face isolation, rejection, or worse, the Sanctuary is a space where young people can breathe easy, be themselves, and feel valued just as they are.
As project lead Jackie White shared:
“This is my way of building the world I needed when I was younger—and the world I want my child to grow up in. A world where queer youth don’t just survive—they thrive.”
That spirit is at the heart of this initiative. It’s not just a place to hang out. It’s a space rooted in radical kindness. The kind that shows up, speaks up, and holds the door open.
It’s also a powerful reflection of the pillars we champion at the TDB Family Foundation:
✅ Amplifying Voices of Youth by providing opportunities for expression, leadership, and self-discovery
✅ Building Thriving Communities by fostering connection, celebration, and collaboration
✅ Creating Pathways to Mental Health Resiliency by offering consistent support, safety, and affirmation
We’re proud to support this project and the young people it uplifts. The LGBTQ+ Youth Sanctuary reminds us that kindness is not passive—it’s a practice. One that starts with listening, continues with action, and ripples outward through every moment of care.
➡️ Learn more about the LGBTQ+ Youth Sanctuary and their work at uuffxbg.org/a-lgbtq-welcoming-congregation
Photo Courtesy of UUFF