Reaching Out…Finding Resources
CAMP Rehoboth is proud to announce a national and local resource guide available for members of the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
Where do most of us begin when we have a pressing need for LGBTQ+ specific information, support, providers, or even crisis help? If you live in Delaware, you may well pick up the phone and call CAMP Rehoboth, the only LGBTQ+ community center in the state.
But what if it’s during hours the center is closed? Well now, thanks to CAMP Rehoboth’s Health & Wellness YOUTH Up program, a newly updated CAMP Rehoboth LGBTQ+ local and national resource guide (LGBTQ+ Resources 2021) is available on the CAMP Rehoboth website.
According to Barbara Antiltz, former CAMP Rehoboth Youth Coordinator, “This guide offers information and resources to assist youth, community stakeholders, practitioners, family members, and others to locate services that help support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and adults. In the new guide, one can find phone numbers, websites, and contact information for a myriad of local resources including 24-hour crisis helplines, alcohol and substance abuse, mental health, support groups, national and local political and advocacy organizations, and more.”
CAMP Rehoboth prides itself on its long history of making not only Rehoboth Beach and the surrounding community more inclusive, welcoming, and safe, but for extending its reach beyond Sussex County to help all LGBTQ+ people of all ages. Due to its fine reputation, solid programs, and direct services, CAMP Rehoboth is increasingly called upon not only to offer support, classes, and programming to the community, but also to act as a clearinghouse for outside resources.
Antlitz, who was instrumental in establishing CAMP Rehoboth’s Youth Program, well-respected throughout the state, attested to the growing need that parents, students, their families, and educators are seeking to address. “I am in daily contact with an increasing number of families, teachers, and youth who are in varying stages of learning about themselves and/or their children, some in crisis, and needing our support services and resources. We are committed to helping and dedicated to doing it in the best way possible,” she said. “In addition to what we offer at CAMP Rehoboth, I’ve been researching, vetting, and keeping a running list of national and regional resources, which I added to regularly. As the calls increased, I knew it was time to make all of that information more easily accessible, and to constantly update the listings. That is how the youth-led resource guide was initially born.”
Antlitz enlisted one of the newest staff members at CAMP Rehoboth, Julian Kay Harbaugh, to help with the project. Julian took Antlitz’s list of resources, confirmed the contact details, and made it a viable resource for the community. CAMP Rehoboth partners regularly with NAMI, the Delaware National Alliance on Mental Illness. As October is National Mental Health Month, it was the perfect time to announce the project and make the guide available.
“Although formal support through institutions, including the government, is growing in Delaware,” said Harbaugh, “finding credible information and support can still be a struggle. Too often I see members of the Delaware LGBTQ+ community going out-of-state for support because they aren’t aware of the local organizations that could help them. That is why this resource guide is such an important collection of places, people, and sites that those seeking help can go to for information and support.”
“I didn’t know, prior to researching this project, the number of hotlines available for people in crisis, including LGBTQ+ youth,” said Julian. “As someone with a hearing impairment, I’ve never looked into hotlines for myself—but now there are apparently text-lines and online chatlines, which is really awesome for Deaf/hard of hearing people, and those with calling anxiety.”
Both Barbara and Julian would like to see further outreach on social media platforms. “There’s a lot of misinformation around, and it would be great to see more pushback from organizations with credible information,” said Harbaugh.
“The guide is for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community and their allies and supporters. My hope is that it will be shared widely and reach all those who need it, and in particular LGBTQ+ youth in need.” ▼
CAMP Rehoboth’s Development Director Anita Broccolino oversees and advances CAMP Rehoboth’s development, fundraising and communications efforts, while helping increase awareness in the community. If you would like to become a member, volunteer for events, or meet with Anita to discuss a donation, legacy, or planned giving gift, please call: 302-227-5620 or email: anita@camprehoboth.com.