Taking Pride in the Community

Taking Pride in the Community:

Foundation Formed to Give LGBTQ+ Members a Leg Up

By: Abby Wasylean

    It was January 18, 2023 when the Swingle Family Foundation was launched in New

Jersey. The Swingle Family Foundation, a non-profit organization, became official on

February 15, 2023, dedicating their existence to helping members of the LGBTQ+

community find knowledge, safe housing, and testing for sexually transmitted diseases and

infections. This non-profit organization is partially made up of members of the LGBTQ+

community who have experienced these issues and are working to make sure that others

have access to information that would help them, regardless of what situation they find

themselves in.

    The Swingle Family Foundation began as a conversation between Nick Swingle and

his father, Ron, about a lapse in support for the LGBTQ+ community. This conversation led

to the creation of a board of directors: Nick Swingle, Andrew Bogoly, Kristyn Swingle, Ron

Swingle, Dakota Wright, and Stacy Payne. When asked about why they started this

foundation and why now, the board of directors said, “We started this foundation because

we noticed that even with the advancement of rights and acceptance for our community

over the last decade, there’s still work to be done... the LGBTQ+ community was missing the

support it needed in Northwestern New Jersey and the eastern Lehigh Valley.” They hope to

impact the community by partnering with existing groups and facilities to assist with the

programs currently in place and fill in the gaps they have found. Right now, The Swingle

Family Foundation is asking for support from their community. In order for them to move

forward with their goals, they require funding from the community to help make them

happen. When asked about how the foundation will face the naysayers in the community,

President Nick Swingle stated, “There will always be opposition to any efforts of a

foundation, especially one set up for the LGBTQ+ community. The opposition may feel that

these services are unneeded. That may be because they were never in need of the services

themselves.”

    The Swingle Family Foundation is aiming to be a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+

individuals and their rights by participating in community outreach and providing services

needed by the community. The board of directors consist of people who have a passion for

supporting the community having volunteered for various organizations and causes as well

as being first responders. The Swingle Family Foundation continues to move forward in the

LGBTQ+ community, making sure that any soul in need gets the help they deserve.


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