By Kate Hill

Staff Writer

SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Alliance) Kids, Inc. is a Cazenovia-based advocacy organization dedicated to encouraging, empowering and elevating LGBTQIA+ youth in rural communities, and to educating those around them to foster safe and inclusive environments in which they can thrive.

On Saturday, Nov. 9, the organization will present its first annual “SAGA Kids Cup” fundraiser from 3 to 6 p.m. at Caz Sports Bowl, 3 Carriage Lane, Cazenovia.

The goal of the event is to raise funds for the organization and awareness of its work, while also supporting a local business.

“SAGA Kids, Inc. was founded and created out of the needs here in Cazenovia,” said the organization’s founder and director, Sara Muñoz. “Although our goals, both current and long term, involve us growing and helping other communities, our roots are here in Cazenovia. It is important to us as an organization to support the local businesses that support us and the youth that we serve.”

Tickets are $25 per adult and $20 per child under 18.

The ticket price includes three games of bowling, shoes, prizes, pizza and soda.

Guests who bring cans and bottles to donate will receive an extra door prize entry.

SAGA Kids, Inc. began as a youth support group, established by Muñoz in Feb. 2018 to provide a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth to be themselves and to have open conversations with their peers.

In an effort to extend the group’s influence and broaden its services, Muñoz reached out to several other Madison County organizations, including BRiDGES and Planned Parenthood.

“[We are] growing and thriving very organically,” Muñoz said. “ . . . As our organization continues to grow, we will continue to evolve our goals to meet the needs of the LGBTQIA+ youth.”

SAGA Kids, Inc. joined the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce (GCACC) in March 2019. Muñoz now serves on the GCACC Board of Directors.

The organization is currently in the process of applying to become a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Today, SAGA Kids, Inc. continues to offer its bi-weekly youth support group at the Cazenovia Public Library.

According to Muñoz, the organization is currently working with schools and libraries throughout Madison County to establish the connections necessary to start groups in other communities.

“It is our hope that by fall 2020 we will have the groundwork and volunteer base to have meetings in at least three other school districts [apart] from Cazenovia,” Muñoz said.

In addition to its youth group, SAGA Kids, Inc. offers monthly parent/ally support groups; presents annual self-harm coping mechanism workshops for teens and adults; organizes special events and community service opportunities; participates in pride events and civil rights discourse; offers community training and education programs; presents twice annual LGBT+ focused sex education classes; and offers peer-to-peer mentoring and various youth workshops.

In the future, the organization hopes to offer additional services such as transgender seminars and to gain the funding and support needed to open a safe space community center in Madison County.

“Although the community center is our goal, it is important that we have the volunteer base and financial stability to sustain such a space over time,” Muñoz said. “Our hope is that, with continued community support and the ability to apply for grants after the 501(c)(3) paperwork is finalized, we will be able to take more aggressive steps towards acquiring such a space.”

Proceeds from the Nov. 9 fundraiser will help support the organization’s regular programming like youth and parent support groups and annual workshops.

The funds will also go toward special events, such as a youth parent panel, community service projects, and an upcoming Community Safe Space Initiative, which will involve in-service training for local businesses to help create a safer and more inclusive community for all.

To learn more about the organization and the SAGA Kids Cup event, visit sagakids.org or email [email protected].