July 24, 2020
On Wednesday you heard Jordan Costen answered “10 Questions” from guest host Jane Hess Collins about himself, Safe Space NOVA, the LGBTQA community, and how Alexandrians can get involved in our great city during our Z-TV LIVE! show. Here are five more questions with Jordan submitted by you during our Z-TV live show.
Have you ever been on a Zoom call in your pajamas?
I have not. My entire outfit has to be together when I’m on camera.
What is your favorite part of nature?
I do love the ocean. It’s so vast and calming. It calms me. Water is a calming force in my life.
Tell us about the Safe Space NOVA scholarship program.
It wasn’t part of our initial plan but our board wanted to recognize the youth in our program by offering scholarships and certificates for all of the work they’ve done, like recognizing our student ambassador. We started it because one student who was transgender had a tough senior year. He had been accepted to college but had a restraining order against his family, and he had no support. So, we wanted to be an affirming organization to our kids who have those challenges.
Our first fundraiser to raise money for scholarships was in September 2019, which was six and a half weeks before our wedding! I thought my husband was going to kill me – it was so stressful! We gave out two scholarships this year.
What is the happiest news you’ve heard in the last 24 hours?
Glad you asked! Our dream is to have a drop-in space for our LGBTQ+ community where the kids can hang out after school, have some therapy, tutoring, or play video games with their friends. As of yesterday, we found a warehouse place we can rent that’s close to the Van Dorn metro. Now we just have to come up with the $2700 monthly rent. (Want to help? Contact Jordan here).
What’s your favorite Alexandria restaurant?
Fratelli in the west end of Alexandria off of Van Dorn street. I’m a huge seafood lover and their salmon al forno is to die!
Did you have a chance to view the interview? Click the image below to check it out!
