Saga Program Launches at The Center on Colfax with Mission to Empower LGBTQIA Youth

Compassion, competency, community, and connection are all driving factors behind the recently launched Saga program at The Center on Colfax. This is a young adult program that offers access to vital resources and development for LGBTQIA youth. Recently, Saga celebrated its official kick off brunch featuring Gila Moonstar, a local drag entertainer. OFM was able to interview Young Adult Program Manager, Viet Nguyen (She/They) regarding the launch, the Saga initiative, and the future of the program.

Tell me about the inspiration behind the Saga program?

The inspiration behind Saga is that we, as staff at The Center on Colfax, found a lack of engagement opportunities for young adults ages 18-24. The age range (for the program) is specifically considered emerging adults who are actively going through the processes of identity development and searching for community as they exit high school. This certain age range is also a group that actively searches for what they would define as success for their future, either through going to college or other means to fulfill what they would define as success for themselves.

What kinds of resources can LGBTQIA youth have access to through Saga?

Saga cohort members and anyone who is interested in becoming a cohort member will be able to access professional development resources and one-on-one advisory consultations with Denver Workforce. This can look like: how to build your resume, resume critiques, interview preparations, and how to dress up for an interview as an LGBTQIA person. Other resources that are readily available are financial advisors that are able to do one-on-one sessions with our members and one-on-one assistance with applying to college and/or help with completing FAFSA. In addition, we will have events and workshops such as how to do basic car repair workshops by Good Judy’s Garage , basic bicycle repair workshops delivered by Bikes Together.

How has Saga changed or transformed its participants (or how does the program seek to do so)?

This program is constantly morphing to fit the needs of our cohort members. As the program manager, I have thus far structured this program to meet the goals that participants have indicated that they want to work on. For example, multiple cohort members need help with attaining a sustainable job or seeking for a job that actually feeds their passion for work, and other members need help looking for online college programs that fit their needs and schedule. This program is specifically designed to help cohort members in how they would define success for themselves. It has shifted to a peer-led group, and cohort members shape the contents of this program.

How has Saga changed or transformed those in charge of organizing the program?

Well, at first, I had a certain vision set for this program and my personal way of defining what success is for me as the program’s manager. However, as I continue to learn what the needs are for LGBTQIA young adults in Denver and surrounding areas, that vision of success has also changed. I find myself often empathizing with the challenges our young adults face as they experience what we know as reality. Along the way, that has helped me understand how to change this program to fit the needs of our members. I am a person who believes that everyone deserves at least three meals a day and to be paid a sustainable wage to be able, to work in places that treat them well, and to do the kind of work that feeds their passion and makes them feel successful. 

What message does Saga have for the community right now?

The message from Saga is that this is a place that people can find community and that this is the program that will support individuals in whatever they define success for themselves.

What are some future initiatives for Saga?

Some future initiatives for Saga are to bring in workshops that build cultural competency. For example, we will celebrate different cultural holidays such as Lunar New Years, or have cooking days that focus on international cuisine. We also want to bring light to different parts of the LGBTQIA community that are often overlooked, such as: developing programming for Asexuality Awareness Week, educational workshops about being transmasc or transfemme, and how to do drag for drag queens and drag kings.

Do you have any events coming up in the next month or so?

The Femme Underground will take place on March 16, at Hi-Dive at 7:00 p.m. This event is to celebrate Women’s History Month and give visibility to women in underground music. This concert features three women-fronted bands: Ipecac, Plasma Canvas, and Suspended. All proceeds go to support Haseya Advocate Program, a Native women-led organization that serves Indigenous survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

A full calendar of events, to include Saga drop-in dates can be found at the LGBTQ Colorado website.

Featured image credit LGBTQ Colorado