Celebrating Collaboration and Recognition: Safe Schools Receives the Lavender Community Partner Award

We are thrilled to announce a remarkable recognition that underscores the values and vision of Safe Schools. At the 9th annual Lavender Graduation Celebration hosted by the University of Miami, Safe Schools was honored with the prestigious Lavender Community Partner Award. This event is a vibrant and vital ceremony celebrating the accomplishments and journeys of graduating LGBTQ+ students at UM, marking both an end and a beginning of an important chapter in their lives.

The Lavender Community Partner Award is not just a trophy that gathers dust on a shelf. It is a symbol of commitment, partnership, and community. It reflects a year filled with dedicated collaboration and shared efforts with the LGBTQ+ Center at the University of Miami, a partnership enriched and led by the indomitable Dr. Gisela Vega. Dr. Vega, a respected and influential figure in the LGBTQ+ community in South Florida, has been instrumental in fostering an environment where students are acknowledged and celebrated for their true selves.

Our partnership with the LGBTQ+ Center under Dr. Vega’s leadership has enabled us to support numerous initiatives and programs to create safer, more inclusive educational environments. This award recognizes the tireless work, the late nights, and the unshakeable belief that we can make a significant impact together. It is a testament to the idea that true progress is achieved through unity and persistent, collaborative effort.

As we celebrate this recognition, we also look forward to the future. This award fuels our determination to continue our work, to deepen our existing partnerships, and to forge new ones. The road ahead is filled with potential and promise, and we are excited to continue walking this path with the LGBTQ+ Center at UM and other like-minded organizations and individuals.

We are profoundly grateful for this award and the recognition of our efforts. More importantly, we are honored to be part of a larger movement towards a more inclusive and supportive society. Let us continue to work together, to learn from each other, and to lead with love and courage. Here’s to another year of meaningful collaborations and intentional partnerships with the LGBTQ+ Center at the U!

Together, we are stronger, and we can continue to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ students and beyond. Thank you to the University of Miami, Dr. Gisela Vega, and all the graduating students. Congratulations to all, and here’s to continued success and partnership in the future!

By: Harold Marrero
Chief Operating Officer

We encourage you to share this information with friends, fellow teachers, and allies and join us in bringing awareness to our efforts. Your support is essential for our ongoing work to create safe spaces for all students, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or expression. Please consider donating to Safe Schools so that we can continue advocating for inclusivity and diversity within the education system.