Startup Ladies Summer Social and PRIDE Celebration at Urban Apples

Thanks to the sponsorship of Startup Lady, Liz Conzo-Kershner, The Startup Ladies are kicking off the summer and celebrating PRIDE in style! Please join us for an evening of very sippable hard ciders and cocktails, delicious appetizers, great company and lively conversation at the newly opened Urban Apples in Westfield.

This is the perfect opportunity to visit with fellow members and get to know new people. Our board members and Ambassadors will be wearing our signature rainbow leis so that you can introduce yourself to them and they will introduce you to anyone else at the party.

In honor of PRIDE month and in celebration of our LGBTQ+ members, 100% of the proceeds from this event will support IYG.

There is no cost to attend for Startup Ladies members, however registration is required. The public may purchase tickets for $50/each. Each attendee will receive 2 drink tickets and lots of Urban Apples appetizers.

Why are PRIDE events important to attend even if you're not gay?

You may be straight, however when you show up to support a marginalized group like the LGBTQ+ community, you are saying, "You are an important part of our community, deserving of love and respect, and I support you." Don't we all want to feel like that everywhere we go? For too long, LGBTQ+ Hoosiers have been chastised and have had way too many rights taken away from them. The Startup Ladies is a safe and affirming community that welcomes and celebrates our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary+ entrepreneurs, investors, and executives - every single day.

6:00 pm - Guests arrive in rainbows, eat & drink!

7:00 pm - Welcome and information about IYG

8:00 pm - Wrap up

• Entrepreneurs at any stage
• Investors who want to support their founders
• Executives who provide ancillary services to startups, founders and investors

• Support and discussion groups
• Arts and crafts
• Basic Needs
• Sexual health education
• STI/HIV testing
• Educational support
• Rapid rehousing (Project Prism)
• Case management
• Affinity groups
• Risk prevention
• Pen pal program

​In addition to scheduled programs, youth also have the option of hanging out with like-minded peers! Board games, videogames, karaoke, arts and crafts, and dancing are just a handful of common activities.

One of the most important resources we offer to the youth is case management. Our case managers interview and evaluate youth to complete intakes and assessments. This helps to determine at-risk youth and the additional support they require such as connecting them to services provided by partner organizations for mental health, housing, and legal assistance. For youth experiencing homelessness, our case managers help them to navigate the system and obtain copies of their social security cards, state identification, and birth certificates. Many parents withhold these documents when they throw their child out of the family home. Without these documents, it is nearly impossible for youth to apply for services, enroll in school, apply for a job, or apply for the High School Equivalency exam.

One in four LGBTQ+ youth that comes out to their family is kicked out of their home. Many youth “couch surf,” stay with family/friends, or end up living on the street. IYG offers a plethora of resources for these youth including:

• Laundry
• Shower
• Food pantry
• Rapid rehousing assistance
• Cleaning products
• Hygiene products
• Clothing
• Transportation assistance

​IYG also connects youth to services provided by partnering organizations for housing, medical/mental health, educational resources, and legal assistance.

IYG's Indiana GSA Network provides support to Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSA) and Diversity clubs in middle and high schools across the state. Support comes in the form of information, community, skill-building resources, regional and state-wide events, and annual site visits. IYG also helps student leaders and faculty advisors to startup, develop, and maintain GSAs in their own schools, as well as LGBTQ+ competency education opportunities for teachers and school staff.

IYG offers education and support to parents/guardians, family, and other caring adults. Meetups, online support, and both one-on-one and family counseling sessions are all available!

Indiana Youth Group has rebranded! The new branding is not just a change of symbol, it is a reaffirmation of our pledge to support the whole person in every individual who comes to IYG. The shape and colors represent our adaptability and commitment to remain relevant and responsive to the needs of the young people we serve at all current and future locations. Learn more at: https://iyg.org

We believe that diversity and inclusivity make our startup culture more fun, experienced, and intellectually stimulating. Anyone (including men) are invited to participate in ALL Startup Ladies educational programming, events, and membership.

The Startup Ladies strive to uphold the highest ethical standards of inclusiveness and respect. In the event of a violation of these standards, we reserve the right to ask you to leave an event or to terminate your membership.

Members may attend this event at no additional fee. The public may purchase individual tickets to this special event for $50/ticket.

Host or Publisher The Startup Ladies