Moms with Pride: Belinda Drake on creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth
Editor Note: In honor of Pride, theCityMoms will feature the incredible moms (and orgs they rep) who work tirelessly to advocate for and support LGBTQ+ people. In this series, we hope you get to know them and make the most of their suggestions to be a better ally not just in June, but throughout the year.
Meet Belinda Drake: mom, mentor, and literal life-changer.
Belinda Drake, Director of Youth Services at Indiana Youth Group, is on a mission to ensure all LGBTQ+ youth have what they need to thrive. Her commitment to youth, her faith, and her family drives how she approaches all aspects of her work, at home and in the community. theCityMoms sat down with Belinda to talk about her passion to serve LGBTQ+ youth in Indiana and how she strives to ensure a more equitable world for her daughter and her peers.
Belinda Drake, Director of Youth Services at Indiana Youth Group
Tell us about Indiana Youth Group (IYG) and your role as Director of Youth Services.
IYG’s mission is to help create a safe space and foster community for LGBTQ+ ages 12-24. As Director of Youth Services, I am tasked with creating and overseeing programs and services to help meet the ever-changing needs of those we serve. I have an amazing team that I work alongside to provide services including a basic needs program, wrap-around case management, housing, and hot meals every night our center is open. We have expanded programming to include young adults ages 18-24, and we [recently launched] a new mental health services program [HUGS] that offers 6-8 week counseling sessions.
Our goal is to make sure LGBTQ+ youth have access to the resources that they need, in a safe space, to grow and thrive just as their (non-LGBTQ+) peers do. I believe that the work we do here is life-saving, especially as we look at the suicide rates of LBGTQ+ in this age group. It is on us (adults) to ensure that the next generation has better life experiences than what we had growing up.
Your work is unwaveringly important, but we’d love to know - what brings you joy outside of your profession?
Family is everything to me. I am a Christian, and outside of God, it’s family. Spending time with our kiddo, my partner, and my extended family, nieces, and nephews; mentoring other youth especially as it relates to basketball; movie nights; and family vacations. The most precious time to me is dinner; sitting around, talking through our day, and checking in with each other.
Belinda volunteering at the Women’s Big 10 clinic
How has your experience as a mother impacted the work that you do at IYG - and how has IYG shaped you as a mother?
I was recently listening to a podcast, and they said that if you've never been a parent you've never been tested on so many levels. Being a parent has allowed me to continue to work on patience and grace as well as understanding what it means to act with a sense of responsibility for a young person. There is nothing that I wouldn't do to make sure my daughter has a good, healthy, and safe life. It’s a lens I have carried over the past 10 years working in social services, and it’s something I bring into my work every day.
As a mother, I think it has encouraged me to be more protective and well-rounded. Being a public figure while parenting is stressful. I carry myself with a different type of accountability. Our kiddo will one day have access to everything I put out there. She is very in tune with what is happening [in the world]. I want to be somebody that she can look up to and feel comfortable talking with about anything. She's going to see this one day. Let’s carry ourselves in a way we want our kids to be proud of.
Belinda with her partner and their daughter
How do you suggest allies extend ‘pride’ beyond June?
I would always suggest reaching out to IYG directly for training and resources to learn about being an ally:
Our engagement department can help you determine what type and level of training fit what you are looking for such as corporate training or individual training.
For those who are seeking out specific volunteer opportunities, sign up and learn more by visiting our Get Involved page.
We can always use financial support to sustain and grow the work. Learn more about donating and other ways to support our work here.
Belinda speaking during the celebration of IYG’s 35th year in operation
Belinda has devoted her professional and public life to ensuring a more equitable world for LGBTQ+ youth. Her work is not only life-changing, but life-saving, and she approaches it with great care and love. As mamas, we cannot thank Belinda (and those like her) enough for looking out for the children in our community.
