Bard Microcolleges bring high-quality, full-scholarship, liberal arts education to communities often excluded from the university experience. Each microcollege is created in partnership with a community-based institution. Their strength is the result of alliances between organizations that are conventionally separate from one another but have overlapping missions, common purpose, and shared core values. The pilot Bard Microcollege launched in Holyoke, Massachusetts in August 2016, starting with just 18 students. Bard’s partner for this microcollege is The Care Center, an innovative community-based educational organization with expertise supporting the academic achievement of young mothers with limited financial resources. Bard Microcollege Holyoke is a tuition-free college for women, inclusive of trans and non-binary students, whose education has been interrupted by parenting, financial challenges, and other family responsibilities.

The LGBT Asylum Task Force is a ministry of Hadwen Park Congregational Church, UCC, formed in 2008. We welcome LGBTQ people of all faith traditions as we provide housing, food, and connections to legal, educational, medical, and mental health resources at other local agencies. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work for up to two years after arriving in the US. Our vital ministry provides comprehensive support for the entire duration of the needed two years.

The Mission of Pathways for Change, Inc. is to provide quality and multicultural services to those whose lives have been impacted by sexual violence and to provide education geared toward ending violence, serving Central Massachusetts.

We are Safe Homes, a drop-in program supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) young people, and their straight allies, between the ages of 14 and 23. We provide a variety of enriching programming and opportunities to our youth, including gender affirming clothing and supplies, access to a clinician, and more. All of our services are always free, and always confidential. Safe Homes offers two locations, Safe Homes Worcester and Safe Homes North, located on the Fitchburg State University campus. We also host a virtual drop-in via our Discord server. Safe Homes is a program of Open Sky Community Services, a human services agency headquartered in Worcester. Safe Homes is one of over 100 programs operated by Open Sky throughout Central Mass.

Love Your Labels is celebrating, supporting, and advocating for LGBTQ+ youth. We support LGBTQ+ youth through our Threads Fashion and Identity program, celebrate families through Drag Story Time, and amplify queer joy at Threads Pop Up events and our annual Queer AF; Art and Fashion Show. Through our programs and events, Love Your Labels explores identity and expression with LGBTQ+ youth through art, fashion, and design and works with families and communities to create inclusive and loving space everywhere.

LUK is a nonprofit multiservice agency dedicated to improving the safety, health, and emotional well-being of youth, families, and adults. As a community-based organization, LUK offers an array of child and family services throughout Central Massachusetts. Visit LUK.org for more information.

Translate Gender is a trans-led, consensus-run, 501c3 non-profit located in Western MA. Since 2006, we have led efforts to fight gender oppression and educate communities about our needs as trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive people. We primarily serve trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth (ages 3-18) and their families. Through our programs, we help people build healthy and thriving lives through supportive community groups, counseling, special events, and creative leadership and mentorship. To learn more, visit translategender.org.