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Elevate Every Voice

Join us in empowering our youth

Saratoga Youth Safe Space is a group intended to bring BIPOC youth (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) as well as LGBTQ+ youth, and allies, together to have a place of reflection, dialogue, and support – safe spaces where youth can process their emotions, develop a stronger sense of self, and build a common language to address issues of race, ethnicity, sexuality, and gender diversity.

Hear from Our Community

Slide 1 of 4

"... As a young black woman growing up in Saratoga Springs, I faced numerous challenges due to racism. Understanding the intersectionality between being gay and black was difficult for me, as I struggled to find a safe space to express myself. ... Saratoga Youth Safe Space has become like a family to me, and I know that every Sunday when I walk in, I'll leave feeling more hopeful about the future for our youth. The youth are the teachers, not the other way around. I aspire to see this organization continue to flourish, and I'm optimistic that the lessons the youth learn from each other will have a positive, transformative impact on our world.”

- Chandler

My involvement with SYSS grew out of wanting to find a place for my daughter who could be around other BIPOC kids and connect and get support around issues of racism. SYSS has become so much more over the last couple years. Not only is SYSS a place for BIPOC kids and kids that are part of the LGBTQIA+ community to come together and support each other, it has been a facilitator of community support and connection for our members. From partnering with organizations such as Camp Stomping Ground, CREATE studios, and Pitney Meadow, we have connected our kids with other support systems, fun activities, and other safe spaces to be within Saratoga. It's been amazing watching these kids grow, learn, have fun, and most importantly, connect with one another.”

- Jen

“I first stumbled upon SYSS when I sought out organizations that centered diversity and inclusion initiatives as it relates to children in Saratoga Springs, NY. My daughter was in pre-k at the time and when I asked her teacher what DEI initiatives were taking place in the classroom she redirected me to do an online search because no one had ever asked her this before. It was both disheartening and igniting. I first came across SYSS’s umbrella organization SEEN which then redirected me to SYSS. I have an immense passion for teaching and learning and since discovering SYSS I’ve been committed to exploring the many ways to inspire our youth.”

- Careina

"... As I have watched this group grow, it has been so rewarding to see our kids keep coming back. I am so proud of the ways that they have grown and have been able to process their experiences growing up in this community. Our leadership team has also grown and has learned from one another, as well as from the kids. I have loved watching our community partnerships evolve. Our leaders have been able to adjust programming to meet kids where they are developmentally, socially, and emotionally. As a mom of a Black child in Saratoga, I hope that spaces like SYSS continue to grow. Every child deserves to have a place where they can be heard, where they can process shared experiences and learn about themselves.“

- Sarah

"... As a young black woman growing up in Saratoga Springs, I faced numerous challenges due to racism. Understanding the intersectionality between being gay and black was difficult for me, as I struggled to find a safe space to express myself. ... Saratoga Youth Safe Space has become like a family to me, and I know that every Sunday when I walk in, I'll leave feeling more hopeful about the future for our youth. The youth are the teachers, not the other way around. I aspire to see this organization continue to flourish, and I'm optimistic that the lessons the youth learn from each other will have a positive, transformative impact on our world.”

- Chandler

My involvement with SYSS grew out of wanting to find a place for my daughter who could be around other BIPOC kids and connect and get support around issues of racism. SYSS has become so much more over the last couple years. Not only is SYSS a place for BIPOC kids and kids that are part of the LGBTQIA+ community to come together and support each other, it has been a facilitator of community support and connection for our members. From partnering with organizations such as Camp Stomping Ground, CREATE studios, and Pitney Meadow, we have connected our kids with other support systems, fun activities, and other safe spaces to be within Saratoga. It's been amazing watching these kids grow, learn, have fun, and most importantly, connect with one another.”

- Jen

“I first stumbled upon SYSS when I sought out organizations that centered diversity and inclusion initiatives as it relates to children in Saratoga Springs, NY. My daughter was in pre-k at the time and when I asked her teacher what DEI initiatives were taking place in the classroom she redirected me to do an online search because no one had ever asked her this before. It was both disheartening and igniting. I first came across SYSS’s umbrella organization SEEN which then redirected me to SYSS. I have an immense passion for teaching and learning and since discovering SYSS I’ve been committed to exploring the many ways to inspire our youth.”

- Careina

"... As I have watched this group grow, it has been so rewarding to see our kids keep coming back. I am so proud of the ways that they have grown and have been able to process their experiences growing up in this community. Our leadership team has also grown and has learned from one another, as well as from the kids. I have loved watching our community partnerships evolve. Our leaders have been able to adjust programming to meet kids where they are developmentally, socially, and emotionally. As a mom of a Black child in Saratoga, I hope that spaces like SYSS continue to grow. Every child deserves to have a place where they can be heard, where they can process shared experiences and learn about themselves.“

- Sarah

"... As a young black woman growing up in Saratoga Springs, I faced numerous challenges due to racism. Understanding the intersectionality between being gay and black was difficult for me, as I struggled to find a safe space to express myself. ... Saratoga Youth Safe Space has become like a family to me, and I know that every Sunday when I walk in, I'll leave feeling more hopeful about the future for our youth. The youth are the teachers, not the other way around. I aspire to see this organization continue to flourish, and I'm optimistic that the lessons the youth learn from each other will have a positive, transformative impact on our world.”

- Chandler

My involvement with SYSS grew out of wanting to find a place for my daughter who could be around other BIPOC kids and connect and get support around issues of racism. SYSS has become so much more over the last couple years. Not only is SYSS a place for BIPOC kids and kids that are part of the LGBTQIA+ community to come together and support each other, it has been a facilitator of community support and connection for our members. From partnering with organizations such as Camp Stomping Ground, CREATE studios, and Pitney Meadow, we have connected our kids with other support systems, fun activities, and other safe spaces to be within Saratoga. It's been amazing watching these kids grow, learn, have fun, and most importantly, connect with one another.”

- Jen

“I first stumbled upon SYSS when I sought out organizations that centered diversity and inclusion initiatives as it relates to children in Saratoga Springs, NY. My daughter was in pre-k at the time and when I asked her teacher what DEI initiatives were taking place in the classroom she redirected me to do an online search because no one had ever asked her this before. It was both disheartening and igniting. I first came across SYSS’s umbrella organization SEEN which then redirected me to SYSS. I have an immense passion for teaching and learning and since discovering SYSS I’ve been committed to exploring the many ways to inspire our youth.”

- Careina

"... As I have watched this group grow, it has been so rewarding to see our kids keep coming back. I am so proud of the ways that they have grown and have been able to process their experiences growing up in this community. Our leadership team has also grown and has learned from one another, as well as from the kids. I have loved watching our community partnerships evolve. Our leaders have been able to adjust programming to meet kids where they are developmentally, socially, and emotionally. As a mom of a Black child in Saratoga, I hope that spaces like SYSS continue to grow. Every child deserves to have a place where they can be heard, where they can process shared experiences and learn about themselves.“

- Sarah

Chandler Hickenbottom

Youth Leadership Director, Group Leader

In 2020, Chandler Hickenbottom began her journey as an activist in the Black Lives Matter movement and co-founded Saratoga Black Lives Matter in Saratoga Springs. It was also the year that she proudly came out as a Pansexual woman. As a young black woman growing up in Saratoga Springs, she faced numerous challenges due to racism. In 2021, with the support of local organizations (Saratoga Black Lives Matter, SEEN, CREATE Studios and Camp Stomping Ground), she established Saratoga Youth Safe Space to provide a platform for young people to express themselves, feel seen and heard, and build allyship.

Jen Alexander

Administrative Director

Professionally, Jen Alexander did civil litigation and represented folks in employment civil rights violations, as well as representing children in getting appropriate services in education. She has also served on the Saratoga Springs School District DEI committee, is a Board member of the Pitney Meadows Community Farm. She has a passion for community building and an ongoing desire to contribute to make the world more equitable, inclusive, and loving. Her involvement with SYSS grew out of wanting to find a place for her daughter where she could be around other BIPOC kids and connect and get support around issues of racism.

Careina Yard

Communications Director, Group Leader

Careina Yard, founder of C.Yard Films LLC, is a filmmaker and educator currently residing in Saratoga Springs, New York. Using the medium of film, she explores taboo spaces of race, sexuality, and the external gaze. Her work contests representative and narrative norms depicting Blackness as monolithic. Careina earned her MA ‘18 at NYU Gallatin, where she integrated the fields of Education, Film, and the African Diaspora. She also received her MSEd ‘16 in Childhood Education from St. Johns University. In addition to filmmaking, Careina continues to empower marginalized communities through restorative practices and critical race theory.

Sarah Quereau

Parent Liaison, Assistant Youth Leadership Director

Sarah Quereau has worked as a school mental health professional for 17 years. As a school psychologist, Sarah has advocated for student and family needs. She currently serves on the DEI Committees for the Saratoga Springs City School District and for Saratoga Independent School. She has worked with schools to develop safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students and has recently begun to brainstorm with administrators about the lack of safe spaces for kids of color. When she moved to the Saratoga area, she realized how much need there was in this community for safe spaces.

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