Gabriel Sanchez

April 30, 2019

Q: How important is an organization like Safe Space NOVA for the LGBT+ community?

“Safe Space NOVA is very important to our community, especially at the early stages of getting to know yourself, this is the age that we need it the most. In our youth is when we need the most support possible. We need mentors, educators, support, guidance, etc. Safe Space NOVA can provide that and allow youth to see that they are not alone, there is a community for us, a space for us, a sense of belonging.”

Q: How important do you think it is to target the 14-18 year old range?

“14-18 is a very important developing moment in your life, some of the decisions you make are based on how you feel. If you feel safe, secure and have some guidance you will make better decisions, you will have support to help you on your journey, you will get advice that will help you along your decision making. We all try to find someone or someplace to reach out to at this age in our lives, this is when we need the safest place when we are vulnerable, curious about life.”

Q: What are some of the challenges and roadblocks that you have personally faced within the LGBT+ community and how do you think Safe Space NOVA can help break down any barriers?

“The biggest roadblock I encountered was being able to find spaces like Safe Space NOVA, there was nothing like it in my youth, but me and my friends searched for those mentors, those people that we knew were out there like us we didn’t want to feel alone but finding it was difficult due to the fact that it wasn’t accepted and as open as it is now. This is a great time and opportunity for our youth to get involved and find their place.”

Q: Have you personally dealt with or witnessed someone firsthand deal with the issues in the LGBT+ community that Safe Space NOVA is aiming to prevent (depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, drug abuse, etc.)?

“I grew up very poor in Puerto Rico, our youth was dealing with all type of issues such as, suicide, drug abuse, depression, sexual abuse, etc. We needed somewhere to go we needed a safe space, we needed guidance, we needed a warm bed. I witnessed many of my friends thrown out of their house, finding comfort in drugs and in sex. A few committed suicide because they had nowhere to go. Just finding someone you can talk to or somewhere to go to think and get away is very important.”