What We Do
OLAS provides psychological support and community-building to Latinx LGBTQ+ asylum seekers in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California, reaching 200+ people yearly. OLAS is an emerging best practice in providing psycho-educational support to asylum seekers.
Workshops and Retreats
OLAS workshops and retreats create safe community spaces and a chosen family for LGBTQ+ Latinx asylum seekers. Grounded in the five pillars of individual sharing, meditation, nature, education, and expressive arts, our events increase a sense of belonging, promote collective healing, and enable participants to connect with themselves and a broader community of support.
Educational Forums
We offer online and in-person classes on themes such as financial literacy, taxes, and public speaking.
Storytelling and Narrative Change
In collaboration with Amplifying Sanctuary Voices (ASV), we develop multimedia stories that we share through educational exhibits, public events, and classroom presentations. These stories amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and deepen empathy and understanding of their experiences in the broader society.
OLAS LGBTQ+ Sanctuary Project 