The Jambar

Issue date: 2/23/10 Section: Features

Media Credit: Image Courtesy of the Cocha Mocha Members of the Cocoa Mocha program dress up in masks during a coffee social. The organization supports LGBT of all ages.

On the third Friday of every month, from 7-10 p.m., the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Youngstown hosts a coffee social. The event, known as Cocoa Mocha, is an effort organized by the Welcoming Congregation to support teens, young adults and families of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders. This monthly program offers open mic nights, guest speakers, films and self-defense classes.

Program founder Marita Emmert started Cocoa Mocha in January 2009. Her mission was to establish the program as a monthly youth group to support LGBT teens and families, but also welcome members of all communities. Most importantly, Emmert wanted to construct a program where LGBT youth and young adults can communicate with their peers about issues they are experiencing. The program also helps bring parents of LGBT teens closer to their children and better understand their concerns.

"The Welcoming Congregation and I are concentrating on youth of all ages, giving LGBT youth a safe place to hang out during the weekend," Emmert said.

Marguerite Felice, co-founder of Cocoa Mocha and Welcoming Congregation, views the program as a safe haven for LGBT teens and young adults, as well as their parents. Felice is vice president of the local chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, and is working to help schools formulate gay-straight alliances. PFLAG is a national effort to secure the rights and well-being of individuals in the gay and lesbian communities.

"I wanted to create a family friendly event for the LGBT community. There is huge representation of high school students, as well as adults. Many of our participants and regulars are students from the YSU Early College," Felice said.

Felice hopes to expand the Cocoa Mocha program, and views it as a means of creating awareness. She mentioned that the program celebrates the Day of Silence, which is a day established by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Since 1996, the Day of Silence has been held every April, and features students taking a day-long vow of silence to represent the silencing of members of the LGBT community.

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