In the aftermath of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in which in-person klatches were understandably cancelled, our staff were hard at work maintaining support for our LGBTQ+ youth via online klatches, video chats and email support. In addition to extending klatches and online support throughout the summer of 2020 and 2021, members of our staff also created online gaming groups as a way to support our students socializing in an otherwise isolating time.
In the fall of 2021, while strictly abiding by COVID-19 safety protocols, our staff and volunteers were able to join our students in schools once more and klatch attendance numbers soared. Our group of dedicated staff and volunteers are now providing pizza and support to over 300 students a week in 14 high schools and one middle school in Thurston County, with the intention to extend our program to the Olympia campus of the Gravity Learning Center in 2022.
With our klatch and gaming group attendance tripling and the need for our LGBTQ+ inclusivity and competence training programs increasing, Pizza Klatch continues to grow, with the hope to hire additional facilitators/advocates and eventually extend our programming beyond Thurston County in the next few years.
If you're interested in donating to help us continue the important work we do, you can click on the donate link, text PIZZAPOWER to 91999 or purchase any of our PK merch from our website, including brand new designs with art created by our very own PK students and alumni. Thank you for supporting Pizza Klatch and the LGBTQ+ youth of Thurston County!