The LGBT Youth Drop-In Space at the Center provides a supportive, safe, and welcoming space where LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 meet, connect with others, participate in activities and events, hang out, talk, attend educational workshops, access other agency services and programs, and most importantly, be themselves.

ON-GOING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH:

The LGBT Youth Drop-In Space: Drop In at the Center is available to youth ages 13-24 to provide a safe, welcoming and fun space to get connected with other LGBTQ and ally youth.
The drop-in space is open Monday through Thursday from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM and Fridays from 2:00 to 7:00 PM.

Youth Program Orientation: Every participant ages 13-24 at the Staten Island LGBT Center MUST attend orientation ONE TIME. Youth Program Orientation is EVERY Monday, 4:30pm-6pm. If these dates/times do not work for you, please contact Elysa at (718) 808-1353, elysa.fein@chasiny.org or just come talk to her!

Safe Space is an ongoing support group for LGBTQ teens ages 13 to 17. At Safe Space you can come and discuss issues going on in your life about any topic with your peers and trained facilitators. All youth must complete an intake before entering the group.  Safe Space meets every Wednesday, 5pm-6:30pm.

Legally Queer is an ongoing support group for LGBTQ teens ages 18 to 24. At Legally Queer you can come and discuss issues going on in your life about any topic with your peers and trained facilitators. All youth must complete an intake before entering the group. Legally Queer meets every Wednesday, 8pm-9:30pm.

BOSS (Being Out Staying Safe): This is a really fun series of workshops for LGBT teens. In a small group of no more than 8 people, we talk about sex, learn about safer sex and what that means for LGBTQ teens. Each workshop is a chance to meet others, become an expert on STDs and HIV and learn/talk about all the juicy details of safer sex! Food/snacks are provided at all meetings and you will receive a stipend if you complete all sessions of the workshop!

Social Network Peer Recruiters: Get trained as a peer recruiter and become part of our LGBT youth outreach team! Learn outreach skills and become an expert on HIV and STI prevention. Our outreach team is the heart of our program, helping to organize events, recruit new peers and spread the word on safer sex, HIV/STI education and prevention. Food/snacks are provided at all meetings and if you complete all sessions of this training you will receive a stipend, plus you receive a small stipend for all outreaches performed after you are trained!

Youth Leadership Committee: Come share your ideas about what you would like to see happening for youth here at the Staten Island LGBT Center and help plan youth events!  This group meets 1-2 times a month and allows youth to develop their own programming here at the Center.

Acting Group: Group meets every other Tuesday at 5:30pm to play theater/ improv games, develop skits and create performances! All LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 are welcome.  

Creative Writing Group: Do you write poetry? Prose? Monologues? Short Stories? Ever wish you had an open and supportive forum to share your writing? Join us for Creative Writing Group where LGBTQ youth can come and share their writing in a safe and supportive space.  All styles of writing are welcome!

For more information about Youth Program services, call (718) 808-1353 or e-mail Elysa.