RESOURCES
Dandelions symbolize resilience and quiet strength. Often dismissed as weeds, they thrive in even the harshest conditions—just like those in our community who persist despite systemic barriers to care. Their roots run deep, reminding us that support, knowledge, and access to resources can foster growth in unexpected places.
DANDELIONS
Noun /dande-len/
Welcome to our Resource Hub!
The Dandelion Resource Guide is a curated collection of mental health tools, support networks, and affirming services for LGBTQIA+ youth. Rooted in resilience and care, it’s designed to help you find healing, community, and the resources to grow—no matter where you’re starting from.
The Dandelion Resource Guide
Too often, LGBTQIA+ youth are left to navigate mental health challenges without access to outwardly affirming, identity-specific resources. Mainstream systems frequently overlook queer experiences, leaving young people feeling unseen, unsafe, or unsupported.
The Dandelion Resource Guide was created to change that—to center queer voices, offer culturally responsive information, and make healing feel not just possible, but rooted in community. Because everyone deserves to bloom in a space where they are fully affirmed.
The Dandelion Resource Guide
Looking for support, info, or just a place to start? We’ve got you covered with easy-to-read guides, helpful tools, and everything you need to feel seen, heard, and supported.
Experience & Education
Knowledge is power. Through lived experience and evidence-based education, we illuminate the realities faced by queer communities and foster growth, resilience, and awareness. Explore toolkits such as Coming Out and The Role of Chosen Family—resources built to empower queer identity.
Mental Health & Wellness
We center LGBTQIA+ mental health by exploring the impact of stigma, offering affirming resources, and empowering individuals to prioritize their well-being. This section includes toolkits like Signs of Mental Health Struggles and Understanding Internalized Homophobia to support self-awareness and healing.
Allyship & Advocasy
True change starts with active allyship. We provide tools, language, and pathways for advocacy—amplifying queer voices, challenging injustice, and building a world rooted in equity, empathy, and pride. Learn through guides like Allyship 101 and The Role of Parents to become a better advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Explore Local Resources
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If you’re navigating the journey of raising a transgender or gender-expansive child, you’re not alone. Whether you're looking for guidance, connection, or reassurance, www.hesalwaysbeenmyson.com is here to support you.
Created by Janna Barkin—a mom, author, and advocate who’s walked this path—this site offers heartfelt stories, helpful tools, and trusted resources for parents, caregivers, and anyone wanting to better understand and uplift trans youth.
You’ll find:
Support group information for families
Educational articles and blog posts
Speaking events and interviews
A place to feel seen, supported, and empowered
Start exploring today and find the community you deserve.
www.hesalwaysbeenmyson.com -
Navigating the journey of supporting queer and trans youth can be challenging, but you don't have to do it alone.
Mavi Pilloton (they/them) is a dedicated educator and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) trainer with over a decade of experience in creating affirming environments within schools and communities.
With a Master's in Education, Equity, and Social Justice, Mavi specializes in:
Designing queer and trans awareness trainings for educators, healthcare providers, and organizations.
Developing curricula that foster understanding and acceptance of diverse identities.
Facilitating workshops that address the unique challenges faced by queer and transgender individuals.
Their work is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves to feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
Discover resources, upcoming events, and ways to collaborate at:
👉 www.mavipilloton.com -
Compiled by Janna Barkin
Find Your Way
The purpose of the Find Your Way campaign is to promote help seeking and connection to local youth resources to support well-being. This campaign, along with the Resource Guide, is designed by youth for youth and promotes messages that are accessible and relatable.
Find Your Way offers opportunities for involvement in youth driven projects in collaboration with the Suicide Prevention Collaboration, OD Free Marin, The Marin County Free Library and other partners. Find Your Way also offers a scholarship program for youth (ages 12 – 25 years) who are already participating in community programs in Marin County, or those who are interested in volunteering or participating in community work.
The digital guide serves as a centralized hub of information on support services, hotlines and community resources available to young people in areas of mental health, substance use and recovery, sexual health, basic needs, immigration and more.
Never A Bother
Never a Bother is a campaign launched in 2024 by California Department of Public Health’s Office of Suicide Prevention. Their big goal is to prevent suicide among teens and young adults in California. They also want to reduce self-harm, while encouraging friends to recognize the power they have to support someone in crisis.
Finding help can feel overwhelming—but you're never a bother for reaching out. The NeveraBother.org help compass is a simple, supportive tool that guides you to mental health resources based on your needs. Whether you're looking for support for yourself, a friend, or a young person in your care, the compass helps you figure out what kind of help might be most useful—meeting you where you are, with no pressure or judgment.
Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic
The Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic (SGIC) offers affordable and affirming psychological services for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ+), as well as those questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. The SGIC offers specialized counseling to address issues related to LGBTQ+ identities, as well as counseling for other life issues in an affirmative space.
Get Connected
SGIC services can be accessed by calling the Gronowski Center at (650) 961-9300 and inquiring about the SGIC. If you are a provider interested in more information about SGIC services, please contact SGIC Director, Liz McConnell, PhD, at: emcconnell@paloaltou.edu.
Positive Images
Positive Images (PI) is an LGBTQIA+ Community Center that provides support to Sonoma County’s LGBTQIA+ population, with an emphasis on identities and individuals at the margins. They provide direct services, advocacy and education. They envision a Sonoma County where all LGBTQIA+ people are valued, compassionate community members, building a just and equitable society.
Get Connected
Address: 200 Montgomery Drive Suite C, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Call: (707) 568-5830
Email: Info@Posimages.Org