Address

2100 SE Belmont Street
Portland, OR 97214

Website

www.smyrc.org

Description

Founded by youth in 1998, the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC) creates a safety and support network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning youth through self empowerment, community building and education. Through individual and family counseling, leadership development, outreach and public speaking and specialized skill building programs, SMYRC helps young people succeed in their education, cultivates peer and community support, improves personal health, and fosters employment readiness.

All SMYRC services aim to keep sexual and gender minority youth in school and to reduce and eliminate risky behaviors including smoking, drug and alcohol use, risky sexual behavior, self-harm, and suicide. We prepare youth for independence in post-adolescence and adulthood by offering opportunities to enhance the skills, experiences, self-awareness and tools they need in order to trust themselves to make the best decisions for their own lives.

Category

Arts & Culture, Children & Youth, Human Rights, Other