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| Center on Halsted Youth Program
 Center on Halsted (COH) Youth Program is for youth
ages 13-24, who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, are questioning
their sexual orientation, identify as queer, or are straight allies. Our safe, supportive and confidential environment
allows young adults to build their understanding of the LGBT community
and resources, to explore their feelings and experiences, and to meet
other young people.
The program is designed to assist young people in developing a genuine
sense of self and becoming comfortable with both their uniqueness and
their similarities.
Youth Program: Goals
-
 Provide a safe, supportive, and confidential space in which youth
ages 13-24 can explore their feelings, learn communication skills,
gain
a sense of self-identity, and develop self-esteem.
- Promote leadership development and skills building.
- Address prevention issues related to HIV/AIDS, STD's, and substance
abuse, through group discussion, youth-to-youth outreach and education,
and mentoring.
- Offer vocational and career assessment and counseling.
- Offer free, confidential HIV testing in conjunction with Cook County
Hospital.
- Include social programming, such as Youth Prom, talent shows, and
holiday celebrations.
- Provide a place for young people to meet others, have fun, participate
in special events, talk, and make friends.
- Provide opportunities for art and writing projects including filming and spoken word.
Youth Program: Location
 COH Youth Program currently provides
a "Gathering Space" on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays beginning at 3pm and ending at 8pm.
The youth program is also open Saturdays from 12pm until 5pm.
Center on Halsted
3656 North Halsted, Chicago, IL 60613
Youth Program: Schedule
 General Hours of Operation are
3pm to 8pm Monday-Thursday (case management by appointment begins at 2pm weekdays) and 12pm to 5pm Saturdays.
Mondays: Youth Program, Ages 13-24, 3pm-8pm
Monday nights offer youth a safe and structured environment to gather
with peers and socialize.
• Movies and Games begin at 4pm.
• Young Men's group begins at 6pm.
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The Young Men's Group meets Mondays from 6pm to 8pm. This group is designed for young men interested in connecting and sharing with other young men on an exciting range of topics specific to their lives and their world. If you are a gay, bi, or a questioning male we want you here to learn, laugh, and be heard. |
Tuesdays & Thursdays: Ages 13-24, 3pm-8pm
These nights focus on different discussion topics, coming out groups, leadership development, self-expression, role-playing, games and projects. Youth socialize with each other under the supervision of trained, caring adults.
• Explore with peers through art and field trips.
• Learn communication, computer and life skills.
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Up and OUT: This coming out group meets Tuesdays from 5:30pm to 6:30pm that provides a variety of group topics, discussions and activities for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Up and OUT gives youth and young adults an opportunity to share and ask questions about their personal feelings, thoughts and concerns regarding their sexual orientation. Treating coming out as a life-long process, Up and OUT invites all LGBTQ youth to come join other youth in speaking OUT on issues that will assist them in becoming Out and Proud. |
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Study Group: Having trouble studying? Need help getting better grades? Come every Tuesday night from 4:00-5:00pm for study group in the Youth Program space. For more information contact Tyler Secor at tsecor@centeronhalsted.org |
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BELONG: The BELONG Program meets Thursdays from 5:30pm to 6:30pm and uses fun activities to develop leadership skills and community service involvement. The group teaches its members teambuilding, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. BELONG participants gain skills to be active leaders in both work and school. Additionally BELONG encourages its members to take part in COH Youth Program events planning, and local community volunteer services. For more information, contact Natasha Gutman at ngutman@centeronhalsted.org or call Natasha at 773.472.6469 x 223.
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Wednesdays: Ages 13-24, 3pm-5:30pm
All youth are welcome during this time.
Youth socialize with each other under the supervision of trained, caring adults.
• Explore with peers through art and field trips.
• Learn communication, computer and life skills.
Daily Schedule from 2pm-8pm
• 2:00-3:00 Only Case Management (by appointment)
• 3:00-5:30 Homework, computer lab, case management, new youth orientation
• 5:30-6:15 Group discussions, workshops, and guest speakers
• 6:15-6:45 Dinner and community building
• 6:45-8:00 Group discussions, Spanish class, computer center, and community building
Saturdays, Ages 13-24, 12pm to 6pm
L.E.A.D., Ages 13-24, 12pm-4pm
Make art, shoot photos, write poetry, stand up and be OUT! Leadership Excellence through Arts Development (LEAD) meets Saturdays noon to 4pm. LEAD engenders and empowers LGBT youth leaders though an exploration of arts workshops, including creative writing, poetry, songs, painting, performance art, and improv. For more information, contact Janine Denomme at 773.472.6469.
The Young Women's Group, Ages 13-24, 4pm-6pm
The Young Women's Group meets Saturdays from 4pm to 6pm. This time is exclusively for the young women's group. This group is for lesbian, bi, and trans females. Saturday afternoon is an opportunity for young women to explore issues and activities important in their lives. Dedicated staff and female volunteers offer a range of activities including art projects, movies, 'zine production, discussions, writing and more. For more information, contact Janine Denomme at 773.472.6469.
Click on the image to the right to download a PDF version of
"Reflections of Herself"
a recent 'zine
created by
the
Youth Women's Group.
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HIV Testing
We offer free and confidential HIV testing every first and third Monday from 3:30pm to 5:30pm and every Tuesday from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. No appointment is necessary. Our testing professionals also lead workshops on safer sex, sexuality, relationships, and STD/HIV prevention. Counseling is available.
Youth Program: Additional Information
 Youth, parents, counselors, or other social service providers who have questions
regarding our youth programming are invited to contact COH Youth Program
Director, Janine Denomme,
at (773) 472-6469, x 226.
Youth Program: Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities exist in several areas of COH Youth Program.
Following training, volunteers serve as mentors, advisors, role models,
assist with the daily youth gathering space, or work with program staff on special
events, workshops or presentations. If you are interested in volunteering
for COH Youth Program, please visit our Getting Involved page to learn more.
COH Youth Program is partially funded by:
Chicago Department of Children and Youth Services, Chicago Department of
Public health, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, After School Matters, UBS Investment Bank, Polk Bros Foundation, Citibank,
Alphawood Foundation, Ravenswood Healthcare, and United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
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