Sanctuary Policy

I. Purpose

The Youth Pride Association (the “Organization”) is committed to safe and equitable services for all members of the LGBTQ community. Knowing that LGBTQ members come from many diverse geographical regions with varying views on the LGBTQ community with often negative outcomes, the Youth Pride Association Board of Directors find it necessary to ensure program participants are treated with respect, dignity, and compassion and are not further harmed by the Organization’s services or actions. 

This Sanctuary (this “Policy”) (a) prohibits voluntary compliance with local, state, and federal law enforcement individuals in any matters of a possible program participant (b) ensures that any personal information collected is necessary for providing program services (c) any personal information is kept strictly confidential, and (d) establishes exempt parties from this policy. 

By establishing safeguards and transparency for program participants , we can better establish an environment where participants can feel valued, safe, and supported while ensuring that the organization is meeting its ethical and legal obligations.

II. Policy

It is the policy of the Youth Pride Association that voluntary compliance with local, state, and federal law enforcement individuals in any matters of a possible program participant is expressly prohibited. All directors, officers, employees, independent contractors, consultants, and volunteers of the Organization (each, a “Covered Person” or “you”) must act in accordance with this Policy and all applicable laws and regulations at all times, unless expressly exempt under Section IV: Exempt Parties.

Program Participant shall include any persons who engage, interact, or otherwise participate in any of the Organization’s programs or activities, including completing any online forms, signups, or otherwise contacting the organization

Law Enforcement shall include any individuals employed, empowered, or otherwise associated with any organization, agency, or other body with the legal power to detain, prosecute, or otherwise restrict a person, group, or other entity. This shall not include any persons tasked exclusively with the safety or welfare of a child.

III. Limited Compliance with Law Enforcement

This Policy shall not prohibit voluntary compliance with Law Enforcement should it pertain to the safety of a Covered Person, the Organization, or the safety of others. This policy does not prohibit voluntary compliance with Law Enforcement with written consent of the program participant.  This Policy does not prohibit the voluntary compliance where there exists clear legal obligation to inform relevant authorities. This policy does not restrict involuntary compliance with Law Enforcement relating to legal proceedings. 

IV. Exempt Parties 

This policy shall not apply to any mental health professionals, whether or not the professional is enumerated for their services, whereby this policy would hinder legal and ethical obligations as a mental health care provider, and would place their license to practice within their respective field in danger of being revoked. 

This policy also shall not apply to instances of suspected and ongoing child abuse or neglect of a minor, where it is the legal and ethnical obligation of the  Covered Person to report such child abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities. 

This policy shall not apply in instances where there exists clear legal obligations to inform relevant authorities.

V. How to Raise a Concern

Concerns may be submitted either in writing or orally. No specific form is required to be filled out in order to submit a Concern, but you are encouraged to provide as much information and detail as possible so that the Concern can be properly investigated. A Concern may be submitted:

  1. To the administrator of this Policy (the “Policy Administrator,” who is an employee, officer or director of the Organization, as required by law), at amanda.curtin@ypapride.org;
  2. By discussing it with a supervisor or manager, who will in turn forward the Concern to the Policy Administrator for review where appropriate; or
  3.  In writing (including by e-mail) to the Chair of the Executive Board of Directors of the Organization (the “Board”) at president@ypapride.org, who will in turn forward the Concern to the Policy Administrator for review where appropriate.

Concerns may be raised anonymously; however, any individual reporting his or her own violation shall not satisfy his/her disclosure obligation hereunder with a Concern raised anonymously. Any individual who is the subject of a Concern is prohibited from participating in any board or committee deliberations or voting relating to the evaluation of such Concern in accordance with this Policy; provided, that the Board is not prohibited from

requesting that such individual present information as background or answer questions at a meeting of the Board prior to the commencement of deliberations or voting relating thereto.

VI. Procedures for Receiving and Reviewing Concerns

Any supervisor, manager, or other person receiving a Concern should contact the Policy Administrator (whose contact information is provided in Section III above), who will coordinate further action. 

The Policy Administrator will assess each Concern on a preliminary basis to determine to what extent an investigation into the Concern is required, and will direct all aspects of the investigation of any Concern. The Organization will use its best efforts to conduct the review in a confidential manner, so that information will be disclosed only as needed to facilitate review of the investigation materials or otherwise as required by law. You must cooperate as necessary in connection with any such investigation. Any person who does not cooperate in connection with any such investigation may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of

employment. In the event a Concern involves or implicates the Policy Administrator, the Policy Administrator will promptly recuse himself or herself from the investigation and inform the Board in writing. The Board may investigate such Concern or appoint impartial attorneys to investigate the Concern.

VII. Policy Distribution

A copy of this Policy will be distributed to each Covered Person promptly following the adoption of or any amendments to this Policy, and at such time as a person becomes a Covered Person. A copy of this Policy must also be made publicly available to any parties that provide clear interest in reviewing such policy. This distribution requirement may be satisfied by posting a copy of this Policy on the Organization’s website or at the Organization’s offices in a conspicuous location accessible to employees and volunteers.

VIII. Policy Adoption and Oversight

The Board is ultimately responsible for providing oversight of the adoption and implementation of, and compliance with, this Policy.

This Sanctuary Policy was adopted by the Board on December 30th, 2024.