You Are Worthy, Incorporated is a grassroots organization that started in 2005 because our founder, Dr. Webb needed self-esteem and mentorship for the little girl inside of her that wanted to be accepted and needed a safe space to understand why she was feeling different. Her biggest obstacle growing up was working through feelings of being ostracized. After years of counseling, she is ready to help others who may be going through similar issues. Our founder wished, as a teenager, that there was a safe space to learn about herself, different experiences, and how she could live a life free of shame and without the fear of going to hell. As she’s a Black lesbian woman who also experienced foster care. At You Are Worthy, Inc, we are committed to providing mentoring and leadership opportunities for Black marginalized youth. Our goal is to provide group mentoring, one-on-one mentoring, leadership and advocacy trainings, and to conduct community and youth participatory action research.
Why:
Support groups for marginalized youth and young adults direly needed. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) youth of color attempt to commit suicide three times the rate of their white counterparts. In addition, many parents of color lack knowledge needed to support their children having same-sex attractions and/or desiring to be a different gender. You Are Worthy, Inc is the first organization in the St. Louis area specifically designated for Black youth, young adults, and adults.