Mission 2: Proud (ACCOMPLISHED!)

The Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC) provides a safe, harassment-free space for queer and trans youth, ages 13-23 years old. SMYRC (sounds like “smirk”) has been a Portland establishment for 20 years. In its infancy, SMYRC was a recreation center in which gay, lesbian and questioning teens could hang out after school and on Friday nights. It has since grown to offer educational workshops, mental health services and empowering activities for the sexual and gender minority population. Although the word “Gender” has been added to its name, the original acronym remains the same. 

SMYRC’s goals are to increase academic success, offer job opportunities, build leaders, and empower and support every queer and trans youth who walks through its doors. SMYRC’s activities and services include art, music, community organizing, open mic nights, drag shows, support groups, case management, counseling, education and special seasonal events such as Queens on Ice and Queermas. 

SMRYC serves a variety of youth (from those with an established family and community to those who are homeless and without supports) in two locations: Eastside and Downtown. SMYRC also runs an education training program called Bridge 13. Bridge 13 helps businesses, schools and government agencies comply and become more inclusive with their LGBTQIA members. 

Currently, the Trump Administration—specifically The Department of Health and Human Services—is trying to legally define gender as a biological condition determined at birth. This new definition will terminate the country’s recognition of 1.4 million transgender Americans which will then exclude them from civil rights protections. Barring civil rights to any group of people robs them of social freedom, equality and protection (New York Times, October 21, 2018). 

This has hit the SMRYC youth hard. They no longer feel safe. Further complicating this issue is the fact that queer youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth. And 92% of transgender youth have attempted suicide at least once before the age of 25 (The Trevor Project).

The SMRYC center needs a variety of patches for its youth to wear on their clothing, coats, bags and/or backpacks to reclaim their pride as valued human beings who deserve to live freely and without fear. The SMRYC center would also like scrap boas and bow ties with matching hankies.

Your fabric scraps will demonstrate that nothing and no one will be discarded. 

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Your mission should you choose to accept it:

Make one or more patches, boas and/or bow ties with matching hankies out of scraps for the queer and trans youth at the SMYRC center. 

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Deadline

EXTENDED! March 31, 2019

Mandatory Supplies

Your scrap fabric! Scrap yarn works, too! Please do not buy new fabric or yarn.

Optional Supplies

1. Patches: iron-on adhesive if you have it. The youth can also adhere them the old-fashioned way with a needle and thread (which might be most effective in rainy Portland).

2. Boas: this is the time to use those holiday and #sewfrosting scraps! Anything colorful, sparkly and fun! 

3. Bow ties: snaps, buttons, hook and eyes (if necessary)

The possibilities are endless! Use the things you have!

Types of Items

Boas of any kind. Bow ties and hankies of any kind. A variety of pride flag patches in a variety of sizes. Specifically:

—gender binary

—lesbian

—pansexual

—asexual

—transexual

—bisexual

—the new progress pride flag with the chevron of pink, light blue, brown and black stripes

SMYRC does NOT need the old rainbow pride flag for patches.

Age Range

13 years old to 23 years old

Guidelines & Restrictions

-If your handmade creation doesn't feel worthy as a gift to your family and friends, then it should stay at home.

-Don't stress about perfection.

Resources/Ideas

-Explore the internet:

     Links to the various pride flags and progress pride flag.

     Link on how to make a scrap boa. 

     Link for a free bow tie pattern and instructions (there are many). 

-Host a patch-making party! People can contribute the different colors of scraps required to make pride patches—please don’t buy new fabric. 

-YOU are a creative ninja: have coffee with other creative ninjas and brainstorm projects together!

Shipping Address

Ship your completed patches, boas and/or matching bow ties & hankies to this address:

This mission has been accomplished--thank you!!!

And don't forget to add The People's Sewing Army in your return address! If you live in the Portland area, you can also hand-deliver your donation during regular office hours.

Supplies & Financial Contributions

If you feel compelled to further support the SMRYC center, a financial contribution in any amount is most helpful for a nonprofit. There is a donation form on the New Avenues for Youth website. There is also a supplies wish list. 

Note: all donations go to the umbrella organization, New Avenues for Youth. If you specifically want your money and supplies to be allocated to the SMYRC program, please make a note of it on the donation form. 

Share the Love

Share your makes with the army and the world by posting a picture on Instagram using the hashtag #thepeoplessewingarmy. (Hint: to make your creation stand out, photograph it against a white wall and/or on top of a white piece of paper.)

IMPORTANT: Final Step!

Via Instagram, DM @thepeoplessewingarmy with this specific information (it is vital to track our progress, and it means everything for our success--please do not skip this final step!):

1) the number of items made

2) the combined weight of those items. You can weigh at post office before packaging or approximate weight on home scale.

Also, your direct communication with The People’s Sewing Army is the only way you can be recognized and thanked for your efforts—you deserve it!

Questions? Refer to the Instagram feed @thepeoplessewingarmy. Questions will not be answered on the blog.

BEST OF LUCK!!!