ABOUT IOYS

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Our Mission

IOYS builds access, equity, and power with LGBTQIA2+ young people, through leadership, advocacy, community-building, education, and peer support.

Our Vision

Wholeness. Inside and Out.

Our Values

Intersectionality

Nourishment

Self-expression

Integrity

Dancing/dance

Engagement

Openness

Unicorns

Transformation

Our History

When Regina Dipadova founded Inside Out in 1990, it was in the heyday of Focus on the Family and Colorado Springs’ reputation as a city of hate. Dipadova recognized that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, queer, questioning and two-spirit (LGBTQIA2+) youth in the Pikes Peak region are at highest risk in their peer group for various health-related problems, including drug and alcohol abuse, school drop-out, physical abuse, sexual abuse, homelessness, and suicide. To address the needs of the LGBTQIA2+ community Dipadova worked with the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment’s (EPCDHE) McMaster Center for Drug and Alcohol Treatment to start the Inside Out Program for LGBTQIA2+ youth.

The program offered support and recreational activities for LGBTQIA2+ youth as well as counseling for drug and alcohol problems. In September 1995, the Board of Inside Out was formed and began to seek support for program expansion and an increase in services for LGBTQIA2+ youth as a 501(c)3 non-profit. In 1997 Inside Out Youth Services became a nonprofit and expanded their impact. Inside Out continues its work creating a safe space for LGBTQIA2+ youth and their allies, and promoting education and outreach into the El Paso County region.

Impact by the numbers

5,000+

Visits by 277 unique youth to our programs in 2022, including our in-person & virtual programs.

500+

Individual therapy sessions with 78 unique young people.

87%

Of participants indicate a strength in understanding healthy and unhealthy relationships after participation in programs.

33

Trainings, panels, and speaking engagements on how to better support and resource 1,084 LGBTQIA2+ young people.

47,000+

Young people impacted from Safe@Schools program efforts.

33,00+

Young people impacted by our anti-violence work, co-led by LGBTQIA2+ students.

Why It matters

91%

About 9 out of every 10 LGBTQIA2+ youth report experiencing bias-based bullying or harassment

5x

Transgender youth are more than 5 times more likely to contemplate, attempt, or complete suicide than their peers

30%

Of Inside Out youth are currently experiencing homelessness

“Inside Out helps me express thoughts and feelings I am unable to express at home or anywhere else.”

– L., Age 13

Governor Polis and First Gentleman Marlon Reis speak to Inside Out’s mission and impact.

Know the Numbers

Download our 2020 annual report which shares our impact in detail and provides more about our youth and our supporters.

Read our most recent tax audit.

Awards & Recognition

2021: Inside Out won the Mental Health and Wellness award
from Colorado Publishing House.
2020: Inside Out awarded Bronze for CS Indy Best of Colorado Springs Nonprofits category during 30-year anniversary

2020: The AIDS Coalition for Education Recognized Inside/Out Youth Services for Programs Making a Difference in Preventing HIV/AIDS

2019: CO State Proclamation in recognition of Ally Up!

2019: COS City Proclamation in recognition of Inside Out Youth Services

2018: Indy Inclusion Award: Legacy Award Winner

2016: Indy Inclusion Award

2015: El Paso County Public Health award for youth tobacco prevention

2014: Judy Shepard Family Values Award

2014: Organization of the Year COSPride Award

2011: The Steve and Dorothy Humanitarian Award

2008: Colorado Springs Assets for Youth