Attic Youth Center

THE ATTIC YOUTH CENTER CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, AND QUESTIONING (LGBTQ) YOUTH TO DEVELOP INTO HEALTHY, INDEPENDENT, CIVIC-MINDED ADULTS WITHIN A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY, AND PROMOTES THE ACCEPTANCE OF LGBTQ YOUTH IN SOCIETY.

IN 2023, THE ATTIC PROVIDED YOUTH WITH THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES: 1)CONNECTED OVER 500 LGBTQ YOUTH TO THE ATTIC'S FULL CONTINUUM OF PROGRAMMING, WHICH INCLUDES COUNSELING, LIFE SKILLS, CASE MANAGEMENT, YOUTH LEADERSHIP, ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, PERFORMING AND CREATIVE ARTS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES. 2)OFFERED OVER 300 EDUCATIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC GROUP SESSIONS INCLUDING IDENTITY, HEALTH AND RELATIONSHIPS, ARTS, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. 3)PROVIDED CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR OVER 75 PARTICIPANTS INCLUDING DEVELOPING RISK REDUCTION PLANS, ENCOURAGING CONDOM USE & FREQUENT TESTING, AND CONNECTING YOUTH TO RESOURCE SUCH AS MEDICAL/MENTAL HEALTHCARE, HOUSING REFERRALS & SUPPORT, AND LEGAL SERVICES. 4)PROVIDED 75 INITIAL CONSULTATIONS AND ONGOING WEEKLY INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING TO 62 YOUTH, THEIR FAMILIES, AND PARTNERS, EQUAL TO APPROXIMATELY 1,700 COUNSELING SESSION. 5)INCLUDED ATTIC YOUTH IN THE INTERVIEW PROCESS FOR ALL ATTIC EMPLOYMENT FINALISTS. 6)THE ATTIC'S BRYSON INSTITUTE TRAINED OVER 900 PARTICIPANTS THROUGH TRAININGS ON BEST PRACTICES FOR MEETING THE NEEDS OF LGBTQ YOUTH DURING FY 2023. HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2023 1)THE ATTIC WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO ON-SITE PROGRAMMING IN 2023, OPEN MONDAYS THROUGH FRIDAYS, WITH NEW GROUP OFFERINGS, COUNSELING, DROP-IN HOURS, AS WELL AS DAILY DINNERS INCLUDING TAKE-AWAY OPTIONS. 2)PROVIDED 35 TRANSGENDER AND GENDER DIVERSE YOUTH WITH EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, AND OTHER CRITICAL NEEDS THROUGH TRANS YOUTH RESILIENCE FUND. 3)HOSTED ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL OPEN HOUSE DURING JUNE FOR CURRENT AS WELL AS NEW LGBTQ YOUTH, FRIENDS, AND FAMILIES TO MEET STAFF, ENJOY REFRESHMENTS AND LEARN ABOUT THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFERED AT THE ATTIC. 4)ATTIC YOUTH AND STAFF PARTICIPATED IN THE 2ND ANNUAL PHL PRIDE MARCH AND FESTIVAL IN JUNE 2023. 5)CONTINUED TO PARTNER WITH MAZZONI CENTER, ON THEIR 5-YEAR CDC GRANT TO EXPAND STI AND HIV PREVENTION, TESTING, AND TREATMENT TO YOUNG MSM OF COLOR. 6)PROMOTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO PERMANENT POSITION. 7)HIRED A NEW DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING SERVICES, NEW DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, ALONG WITH NEW THERAPISTS AND LIFE SKILLS STAFF, FURTHER BUILDING AGENCY CAPACITY. 8)A NEW YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL WAS FORMED AND MEETS ON A BIWEEKLY BASIS AT THE ATTIC. YLC HELPS YOUTH DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS, DISSEMINATE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORKS, ELEVATE THEIR VOICES AND INCREASES THEIR ENGAGEMENT IN THE ATTIC COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. WE EXPECT THAT CONSISTENT PARTICIPATION IN ATTIC PROGRAMS WILL RESULT IN YOUTH DEMONSTRATING: -INCREASED SELF-ESTEEM AND COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. -INCREASED KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF HEALTHY COPING BEHAVIORS AND LIFE SKILLS. -INCREASED SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL COMPETENCIES (E.G. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, ADAPTABILITY, TEAMWORK). -INCREASED LEADERSHIP SKILLS (E.G. PUBLIC SPEAKING, GROUP FACILITATION, ADVOCACY). -IMPROVED LITERACY, STUDY SKILLS, AND ACADEMIC COMPETENCIES.