Wreath auction open for The Tanager Place LGBTQ Youth Center

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Tanager Place LGBTQ+ Youth Center is hoping to raise $30,000 from its annual holiday wreath auction — almost three times the amount raised in previous years thanks to company sponsors.

More than 20 corporate sponsors purchased wreaths for $1,000, decorated them and donated them back to the Center to be auctioned off. Other wreaths were decorated by community partners, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor, Cedar Rapids PFLAG, Z102.9 and The Gazette.

Wreaths start at $50. Bidding will culminate in the annual LGBTQ+ Luncheon at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Camp Tanager, 1614 W. Mount Vernon Rd., Mount Vernon. Tickets can be purchased online at tanagerplace.org/event/lgbtq-youth-center-4th-annual-luncheon.

The luncheon is a celebration of the outstanding LGBTQ+ youth in the community, community organizations and allies as their achievement is honored with special recognition and awards.

Bidding is online at app.galabid.com/seasonoflove2023/items. Wreaths will be on display at the luncheon for last-chance bidding.

The wreath created by the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor is Grinch-themed, with messages from kids about “why their heart grew so big,” said Lori Ampey, director of the Tanager Place LGBTQ Center.

Another wreath decorated by The Arc of Southeast Iowa features a Black Santa Claus in a wheelchair and other people with disabilities.

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The African American Museum of Iowa donated a wreath with a dozen banned books attached, including “I know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou.

First Congregational Church’s Faith in Action group donated a wreath attached with acts of service they will carry out, including two hours of babysitting to make time for self care, a free car wash, a free car ride and a grocery pick up.

Other wreaths are more traditionally elegant.

Iris Strong, a youth ministry leader at First Congregational Church, said she wishes there was a place like the LGBTQ+ Youth Center for her when she was growing up as a Black girl who is gay.

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Strong said she didn’t “live my truth” and share publicly that she is gay until she was 36. “It’s so important for us to be able to learn, to love and accept the good, the bad and the ugly parts of who we are. Me being gay is not an ugly part,” she said.

Griffin McGrath, who is co-chairing the LGBTQ+ Youth Center luncheon, said the center is an outlet for “kids to be their true selves.” He said he’s seen the center “change people’s lives.”

“Hearing stories of what these kids go through on a daily basis, whether it be in school or at home, it’s so hard to not be inspired to try to help,” said McGrath, whose family company McGrath Automotive is a corporate sponsor.

“I’m gay myself,” McGrath said. “I didn’t come out until I was 29. These kids are super courageous.”

Margaret Horsfield, strategy and transformation officer with ImOn Communications — a corporate sponsor of the wreath auction this year — said they loved building a wreath for a good cause that also expressed the fun and creative ImOn culture.

“We are committed in our pursuit of a world where every person is valued, respected and heard, and we are dedicated to making that vision a reality,” Horsfield said.

Money raised will go to support programs and events offered at the LGBTQ+ Youth Center, including prom, summer camp and a new program launching next year for 18- to 24-year-olds.

The program for 18- to 24-year-olds will be held at the LGBTQ+ Youth Center, 1030 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, twice a week. It will be a place for young adults to socialize and get assistance with housing, applying to college and other resources, Ampey said.

The LGBTQ+ Youth Center is a safe and confidential place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and allies. The center was launched in 2018 to be a place where youth and families could find support and be themselves.

The center meets weekly on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, every other Friday and every other Sunday afternoon at the Tanager Place Estle Center, 1030 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids.

The center offers several support groups, including a transgender support group and parent support group. It teaches skills, including cooking, financial literacy and social skills.

For questions or more information about the LGBTQ+ Youth Center, contact Lori Ampey at lampey@tanagerplace.org or by phone at (319) 777-8068.

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