The Center’s Youth Programs are led and facilitated by our Youth Leadership Team with the guidance of our adult volunteers. Youth and Young Adult Leadership Team is a group of selected youth ages 15-24 who plan and facilitate our youth/young adult programs. Youth/young adults are formally interviewed by our adult volunteers and selected each year for this leadership opportunity. Our Youth Leadersh
ip Team learns and develops skills related to event planning, public relations, team building, public speaking, and leadership, and can also benefit from leadership training, networking, letters of reference, and scholarships. We work to support, engage, and empower LGBTQ+ youth in North Carolina. Programs under this banner include:
Youth Drop-In: Monthly program planned and led by our Youth Leadership Team with guidance from adult mentors. Each month there are prompted activities or discussion topics for youth ages 13 to 18 that are still in primary school. This is open to any and all youth in that age range regardless of location. Youth Drop-In Jr: Monthly program planned and led by the members of our Youth Leadership Team with the guidance of adult mentors. Each month there are structured activities geared towards youth ages 12 and younger. Youth Coffee House: A place for those who are exploring their identity to get peer support, learn and engage in discussion, and play games in a low-pressure environment. TransGens: Monthly discussion group for parents and their adolescent transgender or gender-expansive children. Program and discussion topics are geared toward adolescents in middle and high school (6th-12th grades) and their parents. The aim is to build community, provide support, and have discussions about transition-related topics. The format will vary between open discussion and guided discussion topics. Family Day: Quarterly meetups for LGBTQ+ folks and Allies that provide a chance to gather and commune in an affirming environment. ASPYRE: Annual camp(s) meant to empower young members of the LGBTQ community and their allies to achieve personal growth through advocacy and activism while making a positive impact in their communities. T Part-E (currently on hold): Monthly discussion group and affirming space for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive youth and young adults ages 13 to 24 to share experiences and discuss issues that are specific to the trans community. Food and delicious tea are provided when meetings occur in person. Q***r YA Book Club (currently on hold): Twice a month book club where youth and young adults 13-24 come together to enjoy snacks, beverages, and a discussion of queerness through books! Books and discussion points are planned by a member of our Youth Leadership Team with the guidance of an adult mentor. Youth CRISP (Conversations on Religion, Ideology, Spirituality, and Philosophy) (currently on hold): Monthly program that seeks to establish a supportive group for exploring and processing the intersections of identity and religion/spirituality. Centered on sharing stories and understanding experiences, this group features reflections from diverse speakers and discussions based on a variety of religious/spiritual traditions. Parents of Q***r Youth Alliance (PQYA) (currently on hold): A support and discussion group intended to serve as a safe space for parents to find support, build community, ask questions, and address the challenges they face raising LGBTQ+ children. Childcare and youth activities will be provided during the meeting.
