CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Time Out Youth Center, a local LGBT youth services agency is expanding their outreach to transgender youth and partnering on a new program for those youth who have experienced sexual abuse. On Friday, the group will also hold a celebration for a new computer lab and cyber center donated by the David Bohnett Foundation.
The group, located at 2320 N. Davidson St., has announced it is re-opening its Q-tribe program for youth who are 12-20 and identify as transgender or are gender questioning or non-comforming.
Meeting on Thursdays at 7 p.m., this group helps to “promote personal growth and discovery through shared experiences, education and respect with a goal of providing a safe space where transgender youth can be their authentic selves in a judgment-free environment,” the center said.
“Trans-identified youth have a different set of needs and should have a safe space for them to be themselves and find support,” said Executive Director Rodney Tucker. “We are excited to offer this group for trans youth in our region.”
Trey Greene serves as the Q-tribe facilitator. He is a student at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte pursuing a Masters of Social Work. He serves as the center’s Masters of Social Work intern. As a trans-identified person, Greene is tasked with helping “individuals move toward self-acceptance and greater authenticity, especially for those struggling because of their identity or traumatic experiences,” the center added.
As an open group, Q-tribe requires no pre-screening to attend.
In other news, the center is teaming up with Safe Alliance to host an eight-week skills-building group workshop beginning March 10, 6 p.m., at Safe Alliance, 601 E. Fifth St., Suite 400. LGBT youth who have had traumatic sexual abuse experiences and are 16-years-old and older are encouraged to attend.
Subjects that will be explored are: safety; grounding; compassion; healthy relationships; PTSD: taking back your power; taking good care of yourself; healing from anger; asking for help; and coping with triggers.
The environment for the work is one that promotes safety and inclusion. The group is free to survivors of sexual assault.
For more information on the group or to obtain an intake appointment, call Kendall Tosco at 704-367-2776 or email her at kendall.tosco@safealliance.org.
Center opens new computer lab
Time Out Youth Center will also celebrate the opening of a new computer lab made possible by a grant from the David Bohnett Foundation. The celebration and open house is scheduled for Friday, March 6, 6-7:30 p.m., 2320-A N. Davidson St.
The cyber center includes several new iMac desktops and a printer.
Center leaders said the foundation’s support will expand tech access for the youth they serve.
“The David Bohnett CyberCenter is a tremendous asset and resource to Time Out Youth Center and the youth we serve,” said Steven Wilson, Time Out Youth Center board chair. “Thanks to the generosity of the David Bohnett Foundation, the CyberCenter has experienced tremendous growth in programs, budget and staffing, allowing us to serve over 270 youth annually through Center activities. All told, the CyberCenter will be a thriving and central place for LGBT youth in Charlotte, greatly supporting our efforts to connect, inform and enrich our vibrant community.”
The David Bohnett Foundation has opened and funded 62 other similar cyber centers.
“In establishing the CyberCenters, technology entrepreneur and philanthropist David Bohnett’s vision was to provide LGBT communities with a ‘wired’ hub through which its members could connect with each other and explore educational, professional and recreational opportunities,” a press release reads.
The first David Bohnett CyberCenter opened at the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center in 1998.
info: timeoutyouth.org.
— Matt Comer contributed