QUEERSPACE YOUTH CENTER
Our Youth Center is a welcoming, inclusive space open to all 2SLGBTQIA+ youth ages 13-17. Come as you are and join us for a safe place to hang, relax, and connect!
OPEN HOURS:
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Snacks and meals are provided.
Be sure to check our schedule below for upcoming activities!
All youth visiting the center for the first time will need to complete our registration form—either online ahead of time or with a staff member when they arrive. Please also bring a photo ID (student ID or driver’s permit) for your first visit.
KEEP QUEERSPACE SAFE:
9 Community Agreements Everyone Must Follow
To keep QUEERSPACE Youth Center safe and welcoming for everyone, we ask all youth to follow these community agreements. If these agreements aren’t respected, you may be asked to leave for a time determined by QUEERSPACE staff and engage in our restorative process before returning. 1. I will treat everyone at QUEERSPACE with kindness and respect. I understand that name-calling, bullying, and disrespectful behavior are not allowed. 2. I will not engage in any racist, homophobic, transphobic, or other hateful behavior. Everyone deserves to feel safe and valued here. 3. I will not participate in any physical harassment or violence of any kind. Violence is not tolerated at QUEERSPACE. 4. I will respect boundaries by avoiding sexual activity or harassment while in or around QUEERSPACE Youth Center. 5. I will always ask for permission before engaging in any physical contact with others. 6. I will respect others' belongings and not take anything that isn’t mine. I’ll let staff know if any equipment is broken or needs repair. 7. I will not use, sell, or be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco (including vaping) while in or around QUEERSPACE Youth Center. 8. I will not bring or use any weapons at QUEERSPACE. If I have a weapon, I will inform QUEERSPACE staff so it can be safely secured. 9. I will help keep our space clean by tidying up any messes I make. Thank you for helping make QUEERSPACE Youth Center a safe, inclusive space for everyone!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Do I need to sign up before coming to the QUEERSPACE Youth Center?
Yes, everyone who visits the Youth Center for the first time needs to complete a registration form. You can fill it out online here before you come or with a staff member when you arrive. Please bring also a photo ID (such as a student ID, driver’s license, or permit) on your first visit. After your first visit, you don't need to sign up or complete the registration form again. You can just show up during our open hours for subsequent visits.
How do I get to the QUEERSPACE Youth Center?
The QUEERSPACE Youth Center entrance is located just off West Franklin Avenue in the Watkins building. For easy directions, enter 702 W Franklin Ave into Google/Apple Maps. You’ll see the QS Youth Center entrance (see photo below). The main entrance has stairs, but an ADA-accessible entrance is also available.
The Youth Center is accessible by bus lines 2, 4, and 113, and it’s just a five-minute walk from bus lines 6 and 17.
Do I have to stay at the QUEERSPACE Youth Center the whole time?
No, you’re welcome to come when you can and stay as long as you’d like (until we close at 6 PM). However, please note that we have a no re-entry policy.
Can QUEERSPACE Mentor & Mentee matches hang out at the Youth Center?
Yes! The QUEERSPACE Youth Center is open Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, exclusively for our mentors and mentees to hang out together. Mentees are welcome to join our Tuesday and Thursday programming with other youth too.
Check out photos from our grand opening ceremony!
Got questions, ideas, or feedback about the QUEERSPACE Youth Center?
Feel free to contact me - Sam Stahlmann, Senior Program Manager, at sam@queerspacecollective.org.