Hope Shores Alliance helps support LGBTQ+ community
ALPENA, Mich. – Hope Shores Alliance helps victims and their families end various forms of violence and discrimination, it also aims to help people in our local LGBTQ community.
The organization offers counseling and other support services.
Staff is experienced to help with all types of people. One staff member said identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community has been beneficial to her job.
“With me being in this role I feel it’s super helpful because I am apart of those communities”, said Hope Shores Outreach and Services Advocate Paige Johnson. “So they are going to feel more comfortable coming forward with things and I’ve had a couple of survivors come forth because they did feel comfortable finally.”
Johnson said people who identify in this community are also victims of assault and gender discrimination.
“More often than not, it’s people that have been hurt off gender based violence, from these populations and feeling like you’re not being head, it’s probably one of the worst things,” said Johnson.
Johnson said Hope Shores is a safe space for all. Staff at the organization say they are working on adding more safe spaces in Alpena.
