Strategies to Support LGBTQ+ Youth

Supporting LGBTQ+ youth has never been more important as they are increasingly marginalized across the United States. Leveraging both interpersonal skills and advocacy strategies, we will discuss the pressing needs of LGBTQ+ youth across the United States and the dynamics that most impact them. This session, with Jack Kavanaugh, MS '15, Executive Director of GLYS WNY, will help identify strategies to advocate for and support the LGBTQ+ youth in your lives, both personal and professional, and build a stronger support network for young people to find themselves. 

About Jack Kavanaugh
Jack Kavanaugh is a social worker with over 15 years experience in youth programs and nonprofits. Jack brings his passion for supporting LGBTQ+ youth and a deep roots in Western New York to provide GLYS the resources and support needed to provide excellent services and advocacy for our youth and their families. 

Kavanaugh attended Goucher College in Baltimore, where he majored in religion with focuses on African American and women's studies. Returning to Western New York, Kavanaugh began exploring career opportunities as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at Bennett High School. As he met more people doing the things he wanted to do, he realized that while their jobs were diverse, a common denominator among those individuals was a social work degree.

At the UB School of Social Work, he focused on developing a strong foundation while exploring various tracks. “Some of my favorite electives included ‘Social Work with LGBTQ+ Populations’ and ‘Grief and Loss.’ I am also appreciative of my experiences working in the community with Louanne Bakk and of course in my Interventions class with Sue Green.”

Kavanaugh earned his LMSW after graduation and held several roles before accepting his current position with GLYS WNY.

“GLYS has been working with the LGBTQ+ community for nearly 40 years. While the name of the organization has shifted over time, the focus has not,” he says.

The organization offers a variety of resources for parents and caregivers while also providing support and guidance to LGBTQ+ student clubs in more than 100 local schools.

In his role, Kavanaugh raises funding and supports the staff, who he says do the real work with a diverse population of children and teens in an ever-evolving LGBTQ+ community.

“My career path has given me the skills I need to effectively steward a strong nonprofit,” he says. “I intentionally sought out opportunities to make sure I had a solid grounding in three areas: programming, fundraising, and organizational governance and operations.”

In addition to his full-time job, Kavanaugh is a faculty liaison for the School of Social Work, providing support for students and their field partners.