Philanthropy Friday: Out4STEM

Every Friday we spotlight a local LGBT nonprofit in Philadelphia. This week: Out4STEM, which provides career enrichment and social support to Philadelphia’s LGBTQ high school youth and college-­age students.The curricula focuses on science, technology, engineering and math, hence the STEM acronym.

Out4STEM student Jami receiving her Phlebotomy certification.

Who are you? Out4STEM is a program of The Center for Education and Public Initiatives (CEPI) at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia where LGBTQ youth can take advantage of the fabulous resources of the College, our Historical Medical Library and Mütter Museum. Out4STEM reaches out to Philadelphia’s LGBTQ high school and college-­age students to  offer curricula in the sciences, career enrichment and social support. Penn’s LGBTPM and medical students have been an integral part of the development of the program as well as staff from the Educational Justice Coalition.

When was Out4STEM founded?  The College of Physicians of Philadelphia was founded in 1787 by a group of physicians who had concerns about the health of the public. Out4STEM, founded in 2014, is our most recent program created out of concern for Philadelphia’s LGBTQ youth.

What is Out4STEM’s shining moment, to date:  When our first student, Jami, gained her Phlebotomy certificate through the program. (Pictured right.)

If a check for $1 million found its way to my doorstep … we would expand our program dramatically and make sure we connected at least once with every LGBTQ youth in this city. Every. Single. One.  Or … we could buy lots and lots of glitter. We do love glitter.

Special events coming up? Yes. On March 26th from 5-­7 pm, The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Building Coalitions to Protect Your Community  Connect2Protect, a coalition of public health professionals based at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), will teach us about public health. We’ll have an opportunity to discuss what our real needs are, and how we might arrange public health resources to meet them; on April 23rd from 5-­7 pm, The College of Physicians of Philadelphia will present Black Gay Pride: A Celebration of Science; and on May 28th from 5-7 pm, The College of Physicians of Philadelphia will present Body Image and Queerness, where guests can come discuss body image issues particularly as they relate to the LGBTQ community, and learn about which STEM fields might help you address these issues in your community. That will be moderated by Dr. Giang Nguyen of the University of Pennsylvania.

Are there ways I can contribute without giving money? Host one of our students at your institution as an intern, and we can always use art supplies, pizza, and SEPTA tokens.

How can I donate money? Send a check to The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. You can also donate to our educational program by going here.

Are you a local LGBT-serving nonprofit that would like to be spotlighted in Philanthropy Friday? Email Samantha Giusti at sgiusti@dvlf.org.