The Youth Program @ the Center is a safe place for young people aged 24 and younger to connect with our community. Our purpose is to build community among LGBT youth and straight allies, and encourage healthy community engagement. We empower LGBTQ youth and their straight allies through leadership building, creative and performing arts, and education. At the Center we hold weekly meal nights, art activities, host an annual queer youth prom, and more. Download our program brochure for more information.

All of our programs and services are free to our community. There is no need to sign up for our programs you simply need to show up. Drop-ins are always welcome! For workshops and trainings you must contact us in advance. If you have any questions or are nervous about showing up by yourself, please contact us below. All of our staff is queer and trans-identified, and respect and support all facets of youth identity.

What our youth are saying

"I learned some things that I never knew like Harvey Milk and Transgender rights. I enjoyed having an office with great staff... going on field trips, going to schools...the internship was a fun job and I recommend it to any queer youth that wants to have a life changing experience, learn new things and meet amazing people."
- Ryan, 20

"If it weren't for Meal night, I wouldn't have met people that I relate to. I really enjoyed it, and it helped me to connect with the LGBTQ community more."
- Issac, 17

Going on NOW @ the Center

Free Your Mind* - "Beauty and the Budget"
Every Monday from 5-8pm, Room Q11. Starts February 1st!
Get involved with Free Your Mind to plan our 2010 drag and fashion competition, "Beauty and the Budget" art show in May! We will meet every Monday starting Feb 1st from 5-8pm to plan, create, design, and execute the most sickening youth event of Pride 2010! Bring your ideas! Debut your fashion, your performance, and/or your art. Choose your fashion and raise awareness in your community! Raise money for a good cause! Food and supplies are provided. Youth who participate will receive a $50 stipend upon completion. Contact beck for more info.

*Check below for our Free Your Mind special event trainings for January 2010.

Youth Meal Night
Every Tuesday 5-7pm, Room Q11
Youth Meal Night is a safe space to meet with your trans/queer/ally friends, have a free dinner and watch a movie. We also provide board games, community news/announcements, community closet (free clothes), resources and support, and rapid HIV testing provided by the AIDS Health Foundation, Larkin Street Youth Services, and the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. If you need resources or assistance, come and get connected. Representatives from 5+ youth organizations are available every week. Contact beck for information.

Youth Program Internships
Recruitment starts every fall!
Since 2007, the Youth Program has the privilege of providing paid part-time internships to local LGBT young people. Interns work hard to serve their communities and provide youth expertise and experience to our Youth Program. They perform a vast array of duties: outreach, program planning, facilitation of groups and services, leading workshops, provision of referrals, and more. Recruitment starts every fall. Learn more about our Youth Program Internship Alumni here.

Events

Free Your Mind - Direct Action/Street Theatre Training for Youth!
Want to learn how to use civil disobedience and street performance to make your political statement LOUD and PROUD? Then come get politicized! Join us for two special Free Your Mind trainings provided by RUCKUS.org that aim to teach Direct Action and Street Theater to interested Queer/Trans youth. Food will be served, with a side of SOCIAL JUSTICE! Drop-ins are welcome but space is limited. Please sign up at Youth Meal Night or by emailing Beck.

Trainings will be:
Wednesday January 20th from 5-8pm, Room Q11
Wednesday January 27th from 5-8pm, Room Q11

Save the Date! SF Queer Youth Prom 2010 - Friday, June 11th, 2010

Starlight Seduction: SF Queer Youth Prom 2009
Youth Prom staff thanks all who came out on Friday June 12th for our 3rd Annual 2009 Queer Prom: Starlight Seduction. Over 300 young people showed up to dance and party the night away. We gave away $500 in prizes from H&M to our lucky royal court and raffle winners and had some crackin' music by DJ Ome. Special thanks to our Youth Program volunteers, Hot Cookie, SF Party Shop, One Stop Party Shop and our San Francisco LGBT Community Center staff for helping us put this on. Also thanks to all the young folks that made this our biggest and best SF queer prom! Check out our prom pictures.

Services

Workshops
Our workshops are fun, educational and free! We provide workshops to student groups and youth-serving organizations. Our workshops aim to build bridges, challenge stereotypes, address hate speech and discuss issues facing the LGBTQ youth community.

Tours
Want to see the ins and outs of our amazing facility? We offer tours to LGBTQ youth and the local groups that serve them. Get to know more about the work we do and the resources we offer to help support our community and future! Tour includes stops at our sky terrace, Cybercenter and Reading Room and more.
Download a Workshop Presentation & Tour Request Form

Join our Online Network

For up-to-date Youth Program news, events and resources join our social network:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sfcenteryouth
MySpace: www.myspace.com/sfcenteryouth
YouTube: www.youtube.com/lgbtyouth

Donate to the Youth Program

Have any extra suits, ties, slacks? How about extra art supplies or board games lying around? We are always on the look out for things that help our youth succeed and exercise their minds. You'd be surprised how the little things in life can take us far. Contact us about donations!

Contact Us

Interested in working with us? Stay connected and don't hesitate to hit us up! Contact one of our program coordinators for more information on our programs, tours, workshops and more.

Services for young people 18-24:
Beck
beck@sfcenter.org
(415) 865-5560