Making Change

When a MainStreet Bank employee got the opportunity to donate through Making Change, she chose to support a local organization for LGBTQ+ youth, providing the help her friends didn’t have when they were growing up.

“My best friend from high school and my best friend from college are gay,” she explained. “When I was in high school, in the ‘90s, there was no place for anyone at our age to go. They never had a spot to be accepted for who they are.”

She did some research and found Safe Space NOVA, a group for LGBTQ+ teens in Northern Virginia. Started in 2016, the organization’s mission is to foster a safe environment where LGBTQ+ teens can be themselves and the support they need. Through education and social programs for youth aged 14-18, the organization provides a refuge from bullying, stigma, and judgment.

Founder Jordan L. Costen-Sumpter first had the idea to start the organization while in graduate school in the Washington D.C. area. During his college years, he had discovered a love of mentoring while volunteering as a tutor for local high school students. But Jordan wanted to do more. So he looked to his past for inspiration.

“I thought of myself at 14, feeling like I didn’t have anyone who I could talk to in my community or my household about being gay,” he explained. Jordan realized he was in a unique position to help. “I really wanted to be that support for other youth in the area.”

At the time, there were no youth-oriented LGBTQ+ support groups in Northern Virginia, so Jordan decided to create one. While studying IT by day, he started taking night classes at Northern Virginia Community College, earning his certificate in nonprofit administration and leadership.

“The goal was to create a space, curate a space, if you will, that would be supportive and affirming for LGBTQ youth,” said Jordan.

Having access to that supportive space makes a huge difference for teens and can even save lives. A Trevor Project survey in 2022 found that half of LGBTQ+ youth aged 13-17 had considered suicide, and 18% had attempted it. But for young people who had support in their lives, the rates went down by more than half.

“A huge part of our population who seek out our services are not necessarily open or out to their families and friends,” said Jordan. Safe Space NOVA gives them a way to get support they may not have at home.

Through board game nights, virtual hangouts, and events like an annual pride prom, Safe Space gives teens access to an accepting community where they can be themselves without fear of judgment. They even offer a sexual education program, giving teens a place to learn about healthy relationships and ask questions.

The physical and emotional safety of the kids who come to Safe Space is one of the most important missions of the organization. All the adult volunteers who work with kids are carefully vetted and run through background checks. All the youth who attend events have to sign up ahead of time, and they carefully select locations that can’t easily be accessed by strangers.

Creating and hosting their events isn’t cheap, and Jordan says donations are key to making sure they have enough resources to run their programs.

Several MainStreet Bank employees were inspired by the organization’s mission and joined together to donate through the Making Change program. Since 2023, employees have contributed over $5,000.

“It’s a great place to put your money,” one employee said. “This place gives these kids the direction to be who they want and let them know it’s okay — it’s okay to be who you are.”