Side by Side is one of the most important organizations in the Richmond area. Originally founded as in 1991 under the name the Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth or ROSMY, Side by Side would rebrand itself in 2016.
Side by Side’s mission is “Side by Side is dedicated to creating supportive communities where Virginia’s LGBTQ+ youth can define themselves, belong, and flourish.”
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Side by Side’s core program is their peer support groups. These groups allow youth who share LGBTQ+ identities to come together, discuss their problems, find solutions and build community while doing so. Side by Side regularly hosts 13-20 youth per group, facilitated by volunteers and staff. Side by Side prides themselves as a community center. They also partner with other organizations in the area such as Diversity Richmond, He/She/Ze and We, and Equality Virginia.
“Through Side by Side, I’ve found friends I can count on, adults I can trust with everything about my identity, and the ability to stand up for not just myself but for queer youth overall.”
Side by Side hosts a queer prom every year, where youth have a chance to experience prom in a safe, fun environment that’s welcome to all genders and sexualities.
Side by Side’s revenue was $883k in 2022. The full 990 form for 2022 can be found here. In late 2023 they experienced the same budget crunch that other nonprofits faced moving into 2024. Side by Side laid off their entire housing program, and took a back to basics approach to support youth in the RVA area.
They are currently looking for volunteers, and who can apply here. Volunteers help keep the community spaces clean, safe, and friendly. Volunteers are expected to own one group as their home group. They must also pass a background check before working with the youth.
Because Side by Side is in a budget crunch, they are also looking for resourcing by way of donations. Make a donation here.
Side by Side’s impact on the LGBTQ community cannot be overstated. For over 30 years, they’ve served as a bedrock organization helping youth and young adults find a safe space and help foster the queer community here in RVA. Give them a hand and a shoutout.
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Recently, Side by Side has been dealing with organizational conflict between its volunteers and the executive director, per an anonymous source.
EDIT: After reviewing Glassdoor, we were able to note that multiple complaints of mismanagement have occurred