Center for Human Development's Empowerment Program

Center for Human Development's Empowerment Program provides non-clinical group support to LGBTQIA2S+ youth, ages 12-20, in the highly diverse and underserved area of East Contra Costa County. We are the only program in our area providing LGBTQIA2S+ youth with critically needed support and connection to local culturally responsive resources, at no cost. Empowerment's staff are devoted to developing safe, confidential spaces at schools and in the community where youth can express themselves authentically, learn about the LGBTQIA2S+ community and history, and develop important skills for positive wellbeing and lifelong resilience.

As we are seeing an increase in hateful rhetoric and policies to strip the rights and visibility of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in our area and around the country, most of the youth we work with do not feel safe to disclose their queer identity to their families or at school, fearing harassment, rejection, and physical violence. A 2023 national survey by The Trevor Project found that only 1/3 of LGBTQ+ youth live in an affirming household and 46% of LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-17 seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. Our work to support and offer safe spaces for LGBTQIA2S+ youth is vitally important.

Your donation to Center for Human Development's Empowerment Program during #GiveOUTDay will help fund a field trip to the Castro and toward providing safe, supportive services to LGBTQIA2S+ youth in East Contra Costa County. Thank you, on behalf of Center for Human Development and the LGBTQIA2S+ youth we serve.

Youth Testimonials:

"Empowerment will help you be the best you you can be!" ~AM

"A very safe place, welcome to all." ~ZC

"You can be comfortable and express yourself freely!" ~RK

"I love to come to this group because I know there are people here who understand what I am going through." ~AB 

"You learn a lot of new things about the LGBTQ+ community in a safe space." ~CB

"My experience in Empowerment was wonderful. I love it." ~FA

"Don't be embarrassed about sharing, it honestly helps a lot." ~EA

"You get to meet new people that are like you." ~MA

"If I didn't have Empowerment I'm not sure who or where I would be today. This program had helped me more than I can say." ~JP

"I got to hear more 'about' other's problems and it helped me realize I'm not alone!" ~DJ

"It's a fun, safe place." ~SL

"It helped me be aware of some specifics of my own identity and made me feel less alone in my identity at school." ~JP

"I got to know new people and talk about my problem. I talk about what is happening in my life easier." ~AG

"I felt more relieved and supported than ever before. I loved it." ~AN

"I want others to know that Empowerment helped me like me for me and that it's okay to be gay." ~MA

"Empowerment has helped me to know more about my community and discover more about myself." ~AA