Postal Swim 2012

Each year the Fins Aquatics Club hosts its annual Postal Swim which is also the team's primary team fundraiser for 2012.

The Postal Swim will be held on January 22, 2012 beginning at 9 am at the Friends Select School (16th and Race Streets). For more information please contact David La Fontaine at finsvicepresident@gmail.com.

To download the pledge form click here

We have committed half of the proceeds to benefit The Attic Youth Center. This is Philadelphia's largest independent LGBTQ center which focuses exclusively on gay youth age 14 to 21. Why did we select The Attic Youth Center as our beneficiary for the second year in a row and the fifth time since 1997?

Gay teen suicide rates are on the rise with gay teens being four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Adadolescents who were rejected by their families for being LGBT were 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide. And for every attempted suicide by a young person, it is estimated that 100 to 200 attempts are made.

According to a recently released study by Campus Pride on how gay students are treated in higher education, gay students experienced significantly greater harassment and discrimination, and they were more likely to consider leaving school because of it. The study also found there is a lack of safety and inclusiveness for gay students on campuses across the country.

The Attic Youth Center addresses these issues every single day. The Bryson Institue at the Attic Youth Center was created in 1998 in the aftermath of the murder of Matthew Shepherd. His death brought the homophobia and discrimination experienced by LGBT youth in suburban and rural areas to the forefront of nation attention. The Institute through education reaches out to youth and schools as well as institutions and workplace and by doing so takes a comprehensive approach to combating bigotry and bullying and creating a culture of inclusion,

The Attic Youth Center is Philadelphia's safe haven for LGBT and questioning youth. They are doing very important work and I know we are all proud to be an ongoing supporter of this most important effort. Ask your family and friends to support us during this fundraiser. And more importantly spread awareness of what the AtticYouth Center offers to the gay community. Please ask everyone you know to contribute. Donations to the Attic Youth Center are tax deductible.