December Stories and Highlights
Meet Ruben Garcia
Our 2024 Top Donor and
Lavender Legacy Award Honoree
Friends,
Let me tell you about my friend, Ruben.
Ruben and I met a few years ago, and it didn’t take long to realize we had a great many things in common—a shared love for dancing, Dungeons & Dragons, fun weekend getaways, and, most importantly, a sense of community. From the start, I could tell Ruben was one of those rare people who’s deeply committed to making the world a better place. He often said he was “determined to do good.”
The running joke is that I call Ruben “grumpy,” mostly because he’s mastered the perfect “disappointed dad” impression. Anytime I say something he doesn’t like, he’ll stop whatever he’s doing, yell “What?!” with mock outrage, and launch into a (sometimes) playful scolding.
But the truth is, Ruben is anything but grumpy. Behind that stern, stoic veneer is someone who’s deeply practical, always focused on finding solutions, and unafraid to speak his mind. He’s one of the hardest-working, most self-made people I know, and despite everything he carries in his own life, he’s always there to listen. If there’s even the smallest way he can make your day better, he’ll find it—that’s just who Ruben is.
We’ve shared many conversations about the challenges of running an organization like Side by Side. Ruben understood the great need for support, and while I secretly hoped to “wear him down” enough to donate his time, he had his own plan.
Ruben told me he wanted to use his hard-earned capital to invest in the kind of change he wanted to see in the world. He worked tirelessly to build that capital, and when he finally reached his financial goal, we celebrated. I was so proud of him. But after the short celebration, he looked at me and said something I didn’t expect:
“Now tell me, what does Side by Side need?”
I was shocked. If you know me, you know I’m a big cheerleader for my friends, but in that moment, Ruben turned the spotlight back on the youth we serve. He said, “Getting here means nothing if those around me continue to struggle.”
Then, he wrote a check to Side by Side for $10,000!
That’s the kind of person Ruben is. But he didn’t stop there. He challenged me to find a match for his gift—to raise $20,000 by year’s end to ensure Side by Side can continue to provide a space where LGBTQ+ youth feel seen, safe, and supported.
This is where you come in. Ruben recognizes that in today’s climate, we all need to dig deep, look inward, and find ways to give back. So, I’m asking: will you help match Ruben’s incredible generosity?
Every dollar matters, whether it’s $10, $100, or $1,000. Together, we can meet this $20,000 goal and honor Ruben’s vision of making the world a little brighter for those who need it most.
Thank you for being part of this community and for believing in our mission. Your support makes all the difference.
Marquis D. Mapp, QMHP-C (he/they) Executive Director
Ruben’s story reminds us that community and generosity are the cornerstones of creating change. His selflessness inspires us to reflect on how collective action can make a tangible impact—and we’ve seen that spirit in so many ways this season.
One beautiful example is our UGRC Thanksgiving Dinner at Diversity. We had an incredible turnout this year for Thanksgiving Dinner! A huge thank-you goes to UGRC/Black Pride RVA for organizing this meaningful event and to Diversity for generously hosting.
Rosa and one of our Side by Side families helped serve up turkey, candied yams, and more alongside volunteers from UGRC, Allianz, and members of the community. The day was filled with warmth, delicious food, and a shared sense of togetherness. It’s an honor to take part in this growing tradition each year, and we love seeing how it continues to bring so many people together in celebration and support.
We want to take a moment to welcome 2024 Lavender Circle Members and express our heartfelt appreciation. The Lavender Circle is a special designation for donors of Side by Side who contribute $1,000 or more over the course of the year. This includes general donations, tickets for events like Springtime Gala and Glitter Glam Jam, and even auction purchases.
A gift of $1,000 supports our programs, including our Support Groups, Parent Discussion Group, and Counseling Services for our young and vulnerable youth. Your generosity helps us provide these critical services and ensures that we can continue to support LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
Cynthia Bing-Wo
Megan Collins
Shelley Davis
Kristen Lacy
Craig Noble
Sianc Richards
Megan Shockley
Brandon Stumpf
Mark Becker and Erik De Leon
Christina Moore
Mayme Donohue
James Hartman
Hans Karras
Wirt Confroy
Jon Scher
Bill Harrison
Eleanor Brown
Christina Luxon
George Marget
Ruben Garcia
Jeffrey Smith
Mitchell Cole
Kathryn Fessler
John Mason Steele
Emily Hulette
Donna Brodd
Paul Munson
Kristine Articuno
Thank you again for your continued support!
Last but not least, we are so grateful for our amazing volunteers who showed up to help clean and shine the Youth Center on November 17th! The crew included youth, parents, board members, staff, and community members who saw our call for help and stepped up without hesitation.
We couldn’t do this without you. Your time and effort are what make our center a place of safety and support for the youth we serve. Thank you to everyone who showed up and put in the work—we truly couldn’t have done it without you!