ROGERS, Ark. — The Equality Crew is a nonprofit that strives to promote diversity, inclusivity, and equality through a variety of free programs for LGBTQ+ youth. They've been serving the Northwest Arkansas community since December 2021 and have served over 500 individuals.
"Our major mission is just to provide them open and diverse, welcoming spaces where they can kind of celebrate their identity and find community support and connection," said Michael Bennett-Spears, program director for The Equality Crew. "There are a lot of things available for LGBTQ+ adults, and so we come in for the youth and teen years, so that way they can just move on through and feel supported throughout their life."
The organization offers resources like a mentorship program that allows youth to connect with a mental health professional or a community leader, an inclusive prom, a group for families navigating raising an LGBTQ+ child, a teen council, and more.
"As a gay man growing up in Arkansas that didn't have those supports, it really kind of helps that heal some wounds yourself as an adult, to be able to be the adult you wished you had when you were that age," Bennett-Spears explained.
However, the organization is asking for the community's support, as they are at risk of having to close their doors because of a lack of funding to maintain operational costs and a lack of leadership.
"We've had some struggles with funding in the last fiscal year," Bennett-Spears said. "We've got six board members, no professional grant writer, any of that. And so that's kind of really lessened our capacity."
The group is hosting community town halls to discuss the future of the nonprofit and gather ideas on possible solutions to keep access to these resources available. Their next one is virtual on Sunday, Aug. 13.
"We know that Northwest Arkansas is one of the most resource rich areas in the state," Bennett-Spears said. "It only makes sense for us to open up and reach out to the community and say, 'Hey, we need some help here.'"
Bennett-Spears says that one of their options is to move to a more volunteer based organization and divide up some of their programs for other LGBTQ+ nonprofits to take over.
He says that if they completely closed down, hundreds of area youth would be losing these vital resources.
"It would be a very dire impact," Bennett-Spears said. "We've got youth who have set in programs and said the only reason they're here with us today is because of these programs."
Ahn Dao Kolbe is a longtime volunteer for The Equality Crew. She said her goal will be to always show up for these kids who need it.
"Just having an adult that shows up and go, wow, I'm seen. I'm not invisible, I'm acknowledged, I'm being heard. I am enough," Kolbe said. "Provide that safe space always for our next generation is so very important and pivotal."
She said now is the time to get the community involved and aware of this resource.
"I think a lot of people don't realize the impact, unless it affects them personally," Kolbe said. "If you're in the schools, this is about your students. Or if you're a mental health professional, this is about your clients. So what can you give in order to continue to give back?"
Both Bennett-Spears and Kolbe are confident that volunteers will still be there for the youth, no matter what The Equality Crew looks like soon.
"It definitely is heartbreaking, but I know as a mentor, I would hope to continue to show up, whether it's like one on one as a mental health professional or just a mentor," Kolbe said. "I feel confident that the volunteers will still continue to step forward and provide some sort of support,"
"Whether it's through the equality crew or not, our dedication to that mission stays true and ensuring that the youth continue to have access to these things no matter what," Bennett-Spears said.
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