LGBTQIA+ Youth Services, Programs & Support Groups

Youth First is one of the only LGBTQIA+-focused programs in North Texas that addresses the challenges LGBTQIA+ teens face at home, school and in the community.

Youth First serves LGBTQIA+ and allied youth, ages 12-18 and equips them with the tools and resources they need to live an authentic life through year-round, free programming that decreases high-risk behaviors, reduces social isolation, and increases self-esteem.

Support Groups and Education Reduce High-Risk Behaviors

Gender Identity Night
STAY Suicide Prevention Support Group
Queer Youth of Color Nights
Queer Sex Ed

Social Programming Decreases Social Isolation

Doors open at 5 p.m. on the nights of our support groups for youth to use socially.

Friday Family Dinners (postponed until further notice))
Game Nights
Movie Nights
Field Trips (Musicals/Shows, Dallas Zoo, Six Flags, etc.)
Pride Ball Prom
Holiday Parties

Creative Self-Expression and Community Involvement Builds Self-Esteem

Art and Writing Club
Creative Works Summer Program

If you are an LGBTQIA+ youth age 12-18 or a parent that is interested in learning about Youth First activities, please email Lauren Veatch at lveatch@myresourcecenter.org to be added to our announcements list.

Follow @youthfirstbyRC on Instagram and Facebook

Behavioral Health Services Strengthen Coping Skills

LGBTQIA+ focused mental health and substance abuse for youth.
Behavioral Health counseling services are available for teens in either individual, group or family settings.
- Click here for behavioral health services.

More Program and Activities

oct 2021 calendar — Youth First Calendar of events for September

Gender Identity Night* is a support group for transgender and gender-diverse youth, ages 12-18, facilitated by Youth First staff and transgender adult mentors on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.* Youth are empowered to share their feelings, seek advice, and make connections with peers who have shared experiences. Some group topics include: coming out, healthy boundaries and relationships, family, school, communication, self-love, and more.

STAY (Saving Teens and Youth)* is a suicide prevention support group that empowers LGBTQIA+ and allied youth, ages 12-18, to break the stigma of talking about mental health, and creates a safe and supportive environment to discuss anxiety, depression, self-harm, and more. STAY gives youth the tools they need to talk to their peers about mental health and teaches them how to get help for a friend who might be feeling suicidal.

The second and fourth Thursdays of each month, Youth First has Queer Youth of Color (QYOC) Night* – a support/discussion group for LGBTQIA+ youth of color, ages 12-18. It is a peer-to-peer support group that is facilitated by community volunteers that serve as mentors for the youth. Some topics that are discussed include: embracing your identities, representation, visibility, self-worth and healthy relationships.

Friday Family Dinners are postponed until further notice. Friday Family Dinner is a weekly social activity for LGBTQIA+ and allied youth, ages 12-18, and their family members and guests on Fridays. Youth and their guests share a family-style meal together where friendships are formed, family ties are strengthened, and youth are supported. Youth First is open until 10 p.m. on Fridays so youth and their guests can play games, socialize, and spend quality time together after dinner. If you are interested in donating food for Friday Family Dinner, click here to contact us.

Queer Sex Ed provides a safe space to talk about things not always talked about in conventional sex education like transgender anatomy, consent, healthy relationships, and more. The group meets in person at Resource Center starting the first Wednesday of the month from 7-9 p.m. You can find out more about Queer Sex Ed here.

Tentatively scheduled for Spring 2022 . The Pride Ball Prom is a unique “come as you are” prom for LGBTQIA+ and allied youth 12-18 to celebrate who you are! Our 2019 Pride Ball Prom was an awesome success with 250 youth attendees!

Art and writing can be a powerful form of self-expression, coping and sharing your unique voice with the world. Once a month, youth get instruction and support to explore new ways to express themselves through art and writing. All materials are provided*. An annual summer Art Camp and Art Exhibit open to the Dallas Community are some additional art programming youth can participate in! *Donations of items from our Amazon wish list are gratefully accepted.