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One Last Push: Greater Mahoning Valley’s LGBTQ+ Needs Assessment Approaches Deadline
In a concerted effort to shape the future of LGBTQ+ services in the Greater Mahoning Valley, The Buckeye Flame calls upon individuals from Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, and Ashtabula counties to participate in the ongoing LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment. This crucial initiative, closing on December 31, 2025, seeks to collect data regarding the status and unmet needs within the local LGBTQ+ community.
Understanding the Initiative
The assessment is a collaborative effort by The Center for Community Solutions and Equality Ohio, supported by over 50 local organizations. Following in the footsteps of successful assessments conducted in Akron and Cleveland, this survey aspires to provide valuable data for fostering advocacy, policy development, and obtaining funding.
As Andrew M. Snyder, Research Fellow at The Center for Community Solutions, notes, “Historically, LGBTQ+ people have been largely invisible in public datasets.” The lack of robust data has often led to the needs of this community being overlooked by policymakers and funders. Snyder emphasizes that the assessment will provide critical evidence to inform funding, improve community engagement, shape inclusive policies, and empower advocacy efforts.
The Call to Action
With over 200 surveys completed to date, the drive for more responses continues to ensure accurate representation and effective outcomes. The findings aim to bridge gaps in areas such as mental health resources, housing and food insecurity, workplace discrimination, and access to LGBTQ-specific educational content.
“This needs assessment is critical for ensuring that funding is available to LGBTQ+ services in our area,” says Leandrah Alexis, Mahoning Valley Coordinator at Equality Ohio. The project’s success directly affects the development of informed programming that addresses the most pressing needs of the queer community.
Community-Based Approach
Rooted in community-based participatory research, this project employs a highly collaborative model inviting local LGBTQ+ individuals to actively participate in the research process. Anonymity and confidentiality are prioritized, ensuring participants can freely share their experiences without privacy concerns.
Trained facilitators have also hosted listening sessions throughout the year, collecting valuable insights on intersectional experiences affecting LGBTQ+ identities and illustrating issues faced by other historically marginalized groups. This comprehensive approach intends to produce a well-rounded view, helping craft impactful solutions.
Anticipating Community Impact
The final report from the assessment, expected to be released in mid-2026, will play a pivotal role in aligning funding opportunities with community-identified needs. The data will support grant applications, providing evidence-based insights, enhancing proposals, and clarifying community priorities.
Similar assessments conducted in Greater Akron and Greater Cleveland have delivered comprehensive community reports, equity evaluations, and practical tools such as resource link trees and data dashboards. By sharing these resources publicly, the expectation is to leverage collective knowledge for a more equitable approach to serving Ohio’s LGBTQ+ populations.
Encouraging Local Participation
Participation in the survey is essential. Residents and stakeholders are urged to share their experiences by completing the survey at www.lgbtqohio.org, contributing to a future where local services and policies reflect the genuine needs of the community.
In the period leading up to December 31, efforts continue to engage more voices from the Mahoning Valley, as the endeavor can only be successful with widespread support. Participation is not only an opportunity to highlight disparities but also a powerful act of self-advocacy.
Future Implications
With a clearer understanding of the community’s needs, local organizations stand to benefit in terms of resource development, advocacy potential, and overall impact. This assessment will carve pathways for the Mahoning Valley to advance toward an inclusive future, offering lasting benefit to its resilient and diverse residents.
The research, supported by foundations such as the Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation and the Youngstown Foundation, exemplifies a dedicated effort to enrich human rights advocacy and enhance the quality of life for Ohio’s LGBTQ+ population.
In summary, the Greater Mahoning Valley LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment presents a critical opportunity for advocacy and progress within the region. Participation not only ensures the creation of a supportive and accurate representation but also strengthens the community’s voice in matters of policy, funding, and service provision. As the year-end deadline approaches, it implores an echoing call for engagement and empowerment.
