Out Youth: Desk Donation Program spotlight
Meet Out Youth, a nonprofit providing LGBTQIA+ youth and their caregivers with a drop-in community center, therapy, support groups, and more.
Each month, UPLIFT Desk works with a different charity or nonprofit to help them stay healthy and happy while they work to make our community a better place. The latest UPLIFT Desk Donation Program recipient, Out Youth, is a nonprofit organization that has been providing vital resources to LGBTQIA+ youth and their caregivers in Austin, Texas for over 33 years. Out Youth received ten UPLIFT V2 Standing Desks to help with the amazing work they do.
"We pride ourselves on standing up for LGBTQIA+ youth and their families," Out Youth Director of Programs & Operations Jaryn Holbrook Janeway said. "And now, thanks to UPLIFT Desk, we can literally stand while we do our life-changing and life-saving work!"
The organization provides a safe space for young people in this traditionally marginalized community to be themselves, and it offers a variety of services to help them thrive. This community faces numerous challenges, including bullying and discrimination, homelessness, mental health challenges, reduced access to healthcare, and limited resources for addressing these issues. Out Youth provides not only a safe space to turn but resources to help support the LGBTQIA+ community in Austin.
Out Youth offers a variety of programs and services, including:
- Drop-in community center
- Individual therapy, support groups, and case management services
- Texas GSA Network (supporting gender and sexuality alliance clubs in Texas)
- Educational training and series (Q+Edu, Be a Beacon, and professional development)
- Out Youth Family Program for clients, alums, donors, volunteers, and allies
- Jerry Strickland Jr. Memorial Library, the largest privately managed collection of LGBTQIA+ books and media in the state of Texas
The Out Youth drop-in community center is a place where youth can socialize with LGBTQIA+ peers and allies, go to counseling, receive essential items such as groceries, hygiene items, and gender-affirming clothing. Visitors can even check out books from the library. The center is open to youth ages 13 to 23 and is free to attend.
In addition to the community center, Out Youth also offers individual therapy, support groups, and case management services. Individual therapy is available for youth who are struggling with issues related to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Support groups are offered for youth who are dealing with similar experiences, such as coming out, bullying, or discrimination. Case management services are available to help youth access housing, food, healthcare, and other resources.
"Everyone we interacted with at UPLIFT Desk was kind, considerate, and affirming of our staff members," Holbrook Janeway said. "Though there have been many advancements for the LGBTQIA+ community since Out Youth was founded in 1990, things are still challenging. The ten free desks were nice, but to find that the people who work at UPLIFT Desk were even nicer will always be remembered."
