The OUT MetroWest Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Sawyer Bethel, LICSW has been named Interim Executive Director of OUT MetroWest. A member of the Board since 2015 and a partner in the organization’s work since 2013, Bethel is deeply committed to LGBTQ youth and the greater community.
A licensed social worker, Bethel was most recently a Program Supervisor and in-home therapist for community-based services at Boston GLASS (GLBTQ Adolescent Social Services), through the Justice Resource Institute. Bethel began working with OUT MetroWest in 2013 as a volunteer adult advisor for WAGLY, a peer-led, adult-supported program for LGBTQ high school youth, and has sat on the Board of Directors since 2015, serving as a member of the Finance Committee.
“We’ve learned firsthand how well Sawyer is able manage multiple leadership tasks with energy, humor, and compassion,” said Donna Tambascio, Board Chair. “We’re confident that Sawyer will lead our tremendous staff and volunteers to build on our short but impactful history of enriching the LGBTQ community in MetroWest through programming, education, and advocacy.”
As Interim Executive Director, Bethel will help ensure that the organization’s mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning, fundraising, and community outreach, including educating the community about sexuality and gender while advocating for a more just and compassionate world.
“Ensuring that LGBTQQ+ youth and their families have strong community ties and programs that support their education and well-being is a passion of mine,” said Bethel. “I’m excited that now I’ll be able to more deeply help navigate OUT MetroWest in service to these resilient and amazing youth, in collaboration with a dynamic team, a dedicated Board, and committed donors.”
Jack Lewis, OUT MetroWest’s inaugural Executive Director, was elected State Representative for the 7th Middlesex District serving Ashland and South Framingham last fall and was sworn in this past January. Bethel will officially take the post April 25, 2017, for a term to be determined.
In addition to WAGLY, OUT MetroWest offers Umbrella, a trans-facilitated program for transgender and gender non-conforming high school youth; Nexus, a first-in-the-Commonwealth program for LGBTQ and allied middle school youth; and newer drop-in and LGBTQ family activities. OUT MetroWest began to operate youth programs in 2011 and became an independent not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization in 2015.
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