Youth Group

Social and support group for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-17yrs.

About Youth Group

Our youth pride themselves on being easy to talk to, open, and eager to make new friends. We would love for the opportunity to meet you! Every Wednesday, our group offers confidential access to friendship, engagement in the form of discussions and activities, and therapeutic services.

We would love for the opportunity to meet you! If you’re a parent of a LGBTQ+ youth and would like to schedule a tour and/or meeting before your child attends Youth group, please reach out to us at (616) 458-3511. We want to make sure everyone who attends group feels safe and is comfortable.

WHEN

7 PM – 9 PM
Every Wednesday

WHERE

Grand Rapids Pride Center
343 Atlas Ave SE
Grand Rapids MI 49506

CONTACT US

For more information:
Call: (616)458-3511
Email: info@grpride.org

Here is what our current youth have to say about group:

“Everyone is, like, accepting and easy to connect with even if you don’t talk to them right away. I mean, because like, there are always going to be those people you don’t talk to, but you could. So it’s good to know that they are there.” -EB, 15

“We have social anxiety and food. Welcome!” – AB, 13

“I feel like I can be comfortable here, because I am not out at school and my parents don’t know. So it is a really comfortable place for me.” – KR, 16

Get Involved

The Grand Rapids Pride Center aims to be at the center of a vibrant and inclusive community that supports all LGBTQ individuals.

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Sep 25

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Sep 22

Join us next week for this month's Queer Literary Society session!

This upcoming Friday, September 29, we'll meet at noon in our library to connect over September's Book of the Month: "Chicana Lesbians: The Girls Our Mothers Warned Us About," edited by Carla Trujillo. As always, we'll have coffee, tea, snacks, and a lovely discussion led by Courtney, our MSW Intern!

The event is free, with no sign-up or registration needed; all are welcome! Feel free to bring a friend, a partner, a roommate, a reading buddy, or whoever you'd like!

[Image Description: There is a lavender purple rectangle in the center of the image, with a gradient light blue, periwinkle, orange, yellow, and magenta background behind it. The top of the lavender rectangle reads "Book of the Month" in purple text, followed below by a photo of the cover of "Chicana Lesbians: The Girls Our Mothers Warned Us About," edited by Carla Trujillo. Next to the cover on the right and left are two white and light purple clouds, one of which reads, "Join us Sept. 29th, 12PM."]

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Sep 22

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Sep 21

Let's check in, folks!

If you go through this list and find that you're in need of some self-care, know that all of us at GRPC are here and ready to remind you that you are worthy of being taken care of. You are worthy of water, you are worthy of food, and you are worthy of love and connection.

You're also worthy of being safe, and that includes in your partnerships and encounters. If a free, confidential test is on your self-care to-do list, stop by the Pride Center on Thursday, September 28 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm! Walk-ins are available, but appointments are preferred and can be made at https://bit.ly/grpc-sti-testing.

[Image Description: The image is centered on a pale yellow and white rectangular text box with five white horizontal bars with colorful checkboxes, which is designed to look loosely like a manilla folder. The background is a two-toned pale blue gradient, with thin pink swirls at the top left and bottom right corners. The top of the 'folder' reads "When is the last time you..." followed by "Drank a glass of water? Had something to eat? Checked in with a loved one? Took a screen break? Got tested for STIs and HIV?" each in their own horizontal box. The first four checkboxes, colored in magenta, cyan, yellow, and coral respectively, each contain a check, but the fifth, colored in green, has a question mark instead.]

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Sep 20

Our next Health Equity in Action event is coming up next week Thursday, September 28 from 5:30-7:30pm. As usual, it will dovetail with KCHD being with us to provide STI testing 4:30-6:30pm also (you can call to get an appt & walk-ins are also accepted.)

This month's event focuses on disability services, and our partners are @artsinmotionwm and @disabadvocates and representatives will be on hand to discuss their services and the support they offer. Dinner will be served, and Fern the Pug will be on hand for anyone needing some support/cuddles. Please join us, especially if you are looking for ways to meet more 2-SLGBTQ+ folks in the community and connect with others. We'd love to have you.

If you have any questions, please call us at (616) 458-3511 or email the Health Equity team at health@grpride.org.

Image description: A pink background with yellow & blue fireworks in the upper corners. Text overlays a centered yellow, pink, and blue disco ball or ornament. The text says, "Join us for a fun evening of community connection." Below that additional text says, "Learn about some local disability resources! Partner agencies will Arts in Motion (AIM) & Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC) to talk about the services they offer & how they can support you." Below this on what looks like a tiled dance floor of pink and blue is text that says, "Thursday, September 28 5:30-7:30 pm @ GRPC 343 Atlas SE - Dinner provided

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Sep 18

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Sep 17

Grand Rapids Pride Center will remain closed on Monday, September 18, to allow several sick staff some more recovery time. We really need some volunteers to help us put away items & clean up from our QTPOC da Block this past weekend so that the office and community center can be functional again. If you can help, please come out to GRPC at 343 Atlas Ave SE 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Pizza will be provided at lunchtime for volunteers also, and we are very grateful for your help. If you have questions, please email info@grpride.org.

Also, a reminder for folks needing services: You may still reach out via info@grpride.org or reach our Health Equity Program for the TAP program or other resources at health@grpride.org while the physical office is closed. Thank you for your patience.

Image description: Text inside a bright pink tilted text box says, "GRPC is closed Monday but needs volunteers to help clean up". The pink text box is layered over a larger turquoise background, & below the pink text box is text that says, "If you can help clean up from QTPOC da Block, please show up 10am-3pm. Pizza will be provided. THANK YOU" & below that is a small cream colored text box & text that says "343 Atlas Ave SE". To the left is a small pastel rainbow, & to the right is a pink star with a smiley face and legs with big high-top sneakers. There are also three stylized stars at the bottom left & top right corners of the larger pink text box. The entire turquoise background is framed in a narrow, cream-colored frame.

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Sep 16

QTPOC DA BLOCK HAS STARTED! COME OUT!

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Sep 15

TOMORROW! QTPOC Da Block is almost here! Mark the end of summer together from 2PM - 6PM at the Grand Rapids Pride Center. We'll have food from @el_granjero_gr, @daddysdough, @adoboboygr, @applausecateringgr and more! You can snag some fresh produce courtesy of @southeastmarketgr as well. Games provided by @houseruleslounge will be available for anyone who's feeling strongly inclined to start an uno tournament 😜

@auntiechanel will be playing tunes for us all day long alongside some incredible performers! Join Minnie V Laurier, Nickoberappin, Jeena Doucure, Luz De La Rica, and Darius Colquitt of BAM Talent as they keep the party going. Set 1 is at 3 PM, with the 2nd set following at 4 PM. Swipe through to take a glimpse at the stars dazzling our stage ➡️

QTPOC Da Block is a family friendly event. We ask that allies of the BIPOC, 2S-LGBTQ+ communities find other ways to support and allow this community to hold space with one another intentionally.

While you're here, ask staff or volunteers about GRPC resources and programs so we can connect you!

Due to the large number of events across Grand Rapids, please prepare for parking to be limited and/or a few blocks of a walk. There will be no parking available at our office, so we encourage carpooling and getting dropped off as closely as possible to our street.

See you tomorrow!🤎🖤🏳️‍🌈343 Atlas Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

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Sep 14

Due to staff illness, we must close the office until at least Monday. We are still available virtually and can be reached at info@grpride.org for general inquiries or you can reach out to our Health Equity team at health@grpride.org for any Healthcare/Resources related inquiries.

Please stay safe and take care of yourselves and each other!

Image Description: Text on a pink background says, "GRPC is closed until Monday due to staff illness. We apologize for the inconvenience. Groups are still meeting afterhours. QTPOC da Block is still happening on Saturday!" The text is framed by green vines & leaves on which there are yellow and blue flowers with small smiling faces.

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Sep 11

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Sep 7

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Aug 22

We’re partying until the very end of summer! Mark your calendars; Grand Rapids Pride Center’s QTPOC da Block event is coming up on September 16th at our home base from 2 PM - 6 PM. We’re so excited to host our first Pride event for our BIPOC queer and trans community members to come together for a function full of music, games, joy, and chosen family. This is a closed event, meaning that we ask allies to find other ways to support at this time to allow BIPOC to hold space with each other intentionally.

We’ll have food and resources, so feel free to drop in anytime during the event, get what you need, and make some new connections! We hope to see you there, and can’t wait to share a few hours of love and unity with you all. This event is FREE, so stop by and bring a friend!

Image Description: A blurred photo of a group of brown-skinned friends from the Grand Rapids Pride Festival is the background of this graphic. The acronym “QTPOC” is in a bright pink and glowing font, with “da Block” following after in a neon yellow text. The bottom left corner also reads the event details in neon pink lettering: "September 16th, drop in between 2 PM - 6 PM @ the Grand Rapids Pride Center. 323 Atlas Ave SE.” In the center of a graphic is an image mimicking a text from GRPC saying, “Come through for a community function full of music, joy, games and chosen family! We’ll have food and resources too ;).”

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Aug 22

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Aug 19

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Aug 18

The rainbow text is right; getting tested is necessary for your (and any potential partners') safety! It is also a profound act of self-care and community care!

In case you haven't yet, you can get your STI and HIV test for FREE, next Thursday here at the Pride Center!

Both walk-ins and appointment slots are available from 4:30pm to 6:30pm, but only appointments can be guaranteed.

To book your appointment, you can:

- Book directly online at https://bit.ly/grpc-sti-testing
- Call the Pride Center at (616) 458-3511
- Email the Health Equity Team at health@grpride.org
- Or, stop by in-person and tour our space while you're here!

[Image Description: The phrase "getting tested is necessary" repeats 13 times in a vertical stack, with each line of text in a different color. The colors form a rainbow, fading from light blue at the top to mid-blue, pink, purple, and red by the mid-image. Then, the colors progress from red to orange, yellow, light green, and mid-green before returning to blue again. The background is plain black.]

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Aug 14

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Aug 7

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Aug 4

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Aug 1

If you're unsure, or it's been more than a year since your last HIV test, it's time to book an appointment!

The Grand Rapids Pride Center staff is happy to get you up-to-date in a safe, confidential, and affirming space for your FREE HIV and Hep. C test.

To book an appointment:
- Schedule directly at https://bit.ly/grpc-hiv-testing
- Call the Health Equity Program at (616) 458-3511 ext. 104
- Email the Health Equity team at health@grpride.org

[Image Description: The image's wavy maroon and deep gray background serves as a dark contrast to the lighter red and coral spark-shaped accents on the bottom left and top right corners and a coral text box in the middle of the image. In all-caps black text, the text box reads, "When's the last time you were tested for HIV?" and is adorned with a red HIV ribbon on the right-hand side. ]

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Jul 31

Grand Rapids Pride Center | Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community

The Grand Rapids Pride Center aims to be at the center of a vibrant and inclusive community that supports all LGBTQ individuals.

Education & Training

Sensitivity Training
LGBTQ Glossary
Parent Resources
Request Training

Programs & Services

Support Groups
Victim Services
Calendar
View All >

EMAIL
info@grpride.org

REACH OUT
(616) 458-3511

LOCATION
343 Atlas Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

CENTER HOURS
MON – FRI 10A-4P
SAT & SUN CLOSED

EMAIL
info@grpride.org

REACH OUT
(616) 458-3511

LOCATION
343 Atlas Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

CENTER HOURS
MON – FRI 10A-4P

Education & Training

Sensitivity Training
LGBTQ Glossary
Parent Resources
Request Training

Programs & Services

Support Groups
Victim Services
Calendar
View All >