Distinguished Service Award to SMYAL

Presented by GLAA Vice President for Administration Kevin Davis

GLAA 41st Anniversary Reception
Washington Plaza Hotel
Thursday, April 26, 2012

When GLAA's officers gather over brunch each winter to review the list of potential honorees for our anniversary reception, there always seems to be a widely respected person or group that we can't believe we havenŐt honored before. We decide to correct the omission without further delay. This is such a case.

The Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League was founded in 1984 to provide outreach, support, and advocacy for the National Capital Region's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

SMYAL's mission is to promote and support self-confident, healthy, and productive lives for LGBTQ youth as they journey from adolescence into adulthood.

As the premier Washington, DC metropolitan area service provider dedicated solely to supporting LGBTQ youth, SMYAL has reached over ten thousand youth through direct programming and provided training and outreach to over five thousand youth workers and community members.

SMYAL brings together LGBTQ youth in an environment that is safe and supportive, and helps them develop leadership and advocacy skills.

It is my honor and privilege to present GLAA's Distinguished Service Award to the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League.