Pizza Klatch

WHAT IS PIZZA KLATCH? 

Pizza Klatch is a support group for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies that is held in classrooms during lunchtime at participating high schools. Each group is run by two trained adult co-facilitators who are members of the LGBTQ+ community or allies. Facilitators are mandatory reporters and are responsible for maintaining an inclusive, supportive, confidential environment for all participants. Groups are led by the needs of the youth participants, making each group unique.

A typical group begins with reviewing ground rules followed by “check-ins” where teens are encouraged to share a “high” — something going well in their life — as well as a “low” something they are currently struggling or being challenged with. Students can discuss anything from difficulties with school work to thoughts of suicide. This is an opportunity for everyone to share and be heard about their experiences, such as homophobic/transphobic/racist harassment, other feelings of judgement or marginalization, or discrimination within their family or home. Our groups are a place where youth build community and friendships that extend outside of school grounds. Pizza Klatch works to directly counteract ways in which marginalized people are othered and isolated by giving youth a space to be able to be surrounded by LGBTQ+ peers in school (their major form of social interaction). Knowing they are not alone and not an anomaly makes a major impact in their emotional and mental health. 

Every year we provide all klatch participants with anonymous surveys. Youth fill out surveys at the beginning and the end of the school year and each year Pizza Klatch attendees report a decrease in feelings of self harm and suicidal ideation since attending klatch, resulting in 60% or more of a decrease of thoughts of suicide or incidents of self harm amongst all the youth we serve. Youth also report an increase of feelings of self confidence, ability to focus on school work, increased school attendance and an increase in confidence to advocate for themselves and their friends both in and out of school. 

HOW DID PIZZA KLATCH START? 

After an alarming increase in cases of suicide amongst LGBTQ+ youth (and those perceived to be) in Thurston County in 2005-2006, a group of private therapists, North Thurston school faculty, parents and community members felt called to action to create a system of support that could directly supply LGBTQ+ youth at local high schools a space to be heard and receive support and other resources. In 2007, the first after school support group was formed, but was ended later that year when a few student attendees were allegedly sent to conversion therapy by disapproving parents. Soon after therapists, parents, the North Thurston School faculty and other LGBTQ+ youth support organizations banded together once again to discuss how to better provide safe resources and support to LGBTQ+ youth and decided lunchtime groups during school hours would be the safest form of support. In 2008, the first slice was served at the very first pizza klatch in school, lunchtime support group at North Thurston High School. Since then, Pizza Klatch has expanded our lunchtime support groups to all 14 public high schools in Thurston County as well as one middle school and we are now able to run 28 klatches per week and support over 400+ LGBTQ+ youth and their allies. 

WHAT YOUTH ATTENDEES HAVE TO SAY (Comments are taken from our annual anonymous surveys)

"PK helped me make friends, come out and be more confident in my identity."

“It is a great place to get to know people and get support in tough things.”

“It gives me a safe & fun place to be myself.”

"I really enjoy the openness with everyone here.  Pizza Klatch has made me more open minded on everyone's life & that people are going through more things than you think.  I have learned to accept people no matter their differences."

"Pizza Klatch makes me feel really safe.  It's so awesome, honestly."

“Pizza Klatch strengthened my decision to be an ally.”

“I can talk to new people and feel like I’m not hiding anything.”

"I can be who I am here."

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

To learn more about Pizza Klatch, visit our website at www.pizzaklatch.org. In addition to donations, we are always looking for volunteers facilitators and Board members. If you or someone you know might be interested, apply on our website or contact us at info@pizzaklatch.org.

Thank you for supporting Pizza Klatch and the LGBTQ+ youth of Thurston County! Your generous donation of any amount will help Pizza Klatch to continue our mission to support the LGBTQ+ youth of our community to self-advocate, build community, develop self-confidence and reduce self harm and suicidal ideation.