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.

Become A Sponsor

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Advisory & Planning Committee

Volunteer With Us!

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Jun 7

Join us at the Family Fun Zone at the Grand Rapids Pride Festival on June 17th, from 12-6 PM! Family Futures is bringing an exciting “Does It Sink or Float” game to engage curious young minds. Capture the joyful spirit of your child or their group in polaroid pictures, and decorate them together at the GR Children's Museum’s “Proud to be Portraits.” Thanks to Meijer, the fun continues with coloring pages, giant Jenga, and bean bag toss! We’ll have rock painting, chalkboard, and more!

Will we see you and your family at Calder Plaza? We hope you come and create lasting memories with your loved ones! Don’t forget we’re still accepting volunteers to help make Pride Festival a success. Sign up at the link in the bio, and you’ll receive a free t-shirt!

Image description: Black background with the words “family fun zone” stacked on top of each other. “Family” is colored green, “fun” is blue, and “zone” is purple. A rainbow bar separates the bottom third of the image, which has a white background and the logos of Family Futures, Meijer, and Grand Rapids Children’s Museum side by side. On the right side of the image, a yellow box reads “Unapologetically Me, 2023, Grand Rapids Pride Festival” in black text, with various icons stylized underneath it in two columns.

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Jun 6

We are taking PRIDE in our sexual health this month with THREE testing dates!

Knowing your status is a great way to be safe, informed, and protected at Pride Festival and to have the best party imaginable! 🎉

As always, appointments are preferred for all testing clinics held at the GRPC. Bring a friend, partner, roommate, loved one, or Pride party squad to get tested with you! You can call the Pride Center at (616) 458-3511, visit the websites posted in the image, or email our Health Equity team (health@grpride.org) anytime to secure your slot! Walk-ins will be accepted based on the availability of our testing staff.

At Pride Festival, testing will be limited and walk-in only, with no guaranteed availability. If you know you need to get tested, please try to book an appointment for one of our clinic dates! All testing is free and confidential.

And, of course, from the Health Equity Team, happy Pride!!! 🎉

[Image Description: Six colorful blobs with accenting squiggles form the border of a large rounded beige text box in the center of the image. The text box is split into thirds by small rainbow dots, with each testing date taking up its own third. The top section reads: "HIV + Hep. C Testing w/ Red Project. Tuesday, June 13 (5:30pm) @ the GRPC. for appointments: bit.ly/grpc-hiv-testing."The middle section reads: "Testing @ Pride Festival. Located near the sensory area, on Ottawa Ave." Below, the bottom section reads: "STI Testing w/ Kent County Health Dept. Thursday, June 22 (4:30pm) @ the GRPC. for appointments: bit.ly/grpc-sti-testing." Each section follows a similar formatting: black text for the testing heading, a gray subheading for the date and location details, and "for appointments" in rainbow colors.]

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Jun 5

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May 29

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May 26

Hi friends! Did you know that Grand Rapids Pride Center has a new clothing pantry??? We need some help quickly to get it properly up & running, though!

Volunteers are needed today (Friday) and Tuesday, 10:00am - 4:00pm to help us sort through clothing, get things hung up or folded, and also box up what we will be passing on to other partner organizations. We could also use more plastic hangers if you have extras lying around!

A gentle reminder, masks are required inside the GRPC. Fern the Pug will also be present both days if you need a break with some pug cuddles or support. Thank you!

Image description: A color-blocked background that is light blue on top & coral on the bottom. Text says, "Volunteers needed; Help us: spruce up our new clothing pantry, sort & pack clothing to donate elsewhere, move boxes of clothing to other area of GRPC; Plastic hangers are also needed! If anyone has extras to donate, we could use some, please!" In the coral block is an illustration of a person with long brown hair hanging clothing on a clothing rack with a box at the bottom of the rack. To the side is more text that says, "When: Friday, May 26 10-4 & Tuesday, May 30 10-4; Where: GRPC 343 Atlas Ave SE; Questions? Contact Aaminah health@grpride.org or call (616)458.3511"

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May 25

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May 24

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May 23

Are you ready for some laughs?!

Miami’s sassiest seniors return for one more hurrah in an all-new show written by Robert Leleux and directed by Eric Swanson. You'll find Sophia out on bail, after being busted by the DEA for running a drug ring for retirees. Blanche and Rose have founded CreakN, a thriving sex app for seniors. And Dorothy is trying to hold it all together, with help from a new young sex-crazed lover. Relive the heartfelt hilarity of four ladies who never stopped being your friends!

We are running a promo in partnership with @mppresent to get you 2 FREE tickets to the opening night on June 8th!! From now until May 25th at 10am, use the promo code PRIDE and get your tickets today!

Here is the link for the promo: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/08005E4EED8F63F9

Golden Girls fans can get more show info at www.GoldenGirlsTour.com

Hope to see you there!

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May 22

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May 19

Community care includes sexual health!

Walk-ins are available for next week's testing, but appointments (especially if you're bringing a friend!) are preferred.

To book, you can:
- Go to bit.ly/grpc-sti-testing
- Email our Health Team at health@grpride.org
- Or, call our office at (616) 458-3511!

[Image Description: The image shows brown text over a beige background, framing an illustrated image of four people looking away from the viewer with arms around eachothers' backs. The top text reads: "You don't need to get tested for STIs alone. Bring a friend!", while the bottom reads "STI testing at GRPC is open to all, and we have availability for you AND the people you love. Thursday, May 25 from 4:30pm - 6:30pm. Appointments @: bit.ly/grpc-sti-testing." The four people in the image appear as follows, from left to right; (1) a shorter person with mid-length blonde hair, a green long-sleeved sweater, light-wash blue jeans, and no visible skin tone, (2) a taller person with Black skin, short, black hair, an orange t-shirt with red piping, and yellow pants, (3) a mid-height person with olive-toned skin, long dark brown hair, a two-toned blue vertically-striped long-sleeve shirt, and bright pink jeans, and (4), a second mid-height person with Brown skin, short black hair, a yellow windbreaker jacket, and orange pants.]

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May 18

Get Personal for Pride! Join us for our next Health Equity in Action event on Thursday, May 25. As always, this is a drop-in-style event where dinner is provided and an opportunity for the community to come together and mingle.

There will also be a presentation on Healthy Sexual from Serette King of Gilead, which offers the chance to chat about how we communicate about consent, STI status, PrEP, intimate expectations, what we want in a partnership, etc. We will also have a wealth of resources for you to stuff a bag full of goodies you may need to get prepared for Pride Fest, including the chance to talk with our Healthcare Coordinator, Aaminah, if you need resources on cutting back or quitting smoking or vaping (remember, Pride Fest is a smoke & vape free space). Fern the Pug, our resident support animal will also be available to offer pug cuddles & emotional support!

KCHD will be here 4:30-6:30 to do STI testing and 5:30-7:30 for 2nd dose Mpox vaccines available to anyone who needs a 2nd dose. Appts are preferred for both of these services, but walk-ins are accepted. If you'd like to make an appt, please contact our Healthcare Coordinator, Cheyanne, at cheyanne.killin@grpride.org or (616) 458.3511

Image description: Text on a peach & white background says, "Get Personal for Pride; Thursday, May 25, 5:30-7:30pm, drop-in style, dinner provided. Healthy Sexual presentation by Serette King of Gilead. 2nd dose Mpox vaccinations from KCHD. Fill your bag with goodies to prepare for Pride Fest. Community bonding, conversations, & fun. Fern the Pug - resident support animal. Below the text are the logos for GRPC, Gilead, and KCHD."

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May 18

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May 15

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May 9

Do you still need your 2nd dose of Mpox vaccine? Grand Rapids Pride Center has you covered! We are partnering with the Kent County Health Dept on May 25th 5:30-7:30pm to provide 2nd doses on-site at GRPC & all are welcome. Appts are preferred to ensure enough doses are available, but walk-ins will be taken. Contact Cheyanne at cheyanne.killin@grpride.org or (616) 458-3511 to make an appt.

Get Personal for Pride: This is a drop-in style event with free dinner, a presentation on Healthy Sexual from Serette King of Gilead, & a bunch of resources. KCHD will also be here for STI testing 4:30-6:30pm & you can also contact Cheyanne for appts for that.

Image descriptions: The first 2 images show 3 illustrations of people in masks & casual dress on a peach & white background & the third image uses the same background minus the illustrations. Image 1 text says: The 2nd Dose Matters; The 2nd dose of Mpox vaccine is supposed to be given around 28 days following the 1st dose. But even if you miss that appt, you should still get your 2nd dose as soon as you are able. Grand Rapids Pride Fest is June 17, where we will be in crowds & close contact, so GRPC & KCHD are partnering to help everyone prepare for this by offering a vaccination clinic at GRPC. Everyone is welcome to come get your second dose.

Image 2 text says: The 2nd Dose Matters; Come get your 2nd Mpox dose at GRPC Thursday, May 25, 5:30-7:30pm - even if you're "late" getting the 2nd dose it still matters & you can still get the dose! Appts are preferred so we ensure we have enough vaccine on hand. (contact info as in caption)

Image 3 text says: Get Personal for Pride; Thursday, May 25, 5:30-7:30pm, drop-in style, dinner provided. Healthy Sexual presentation by Serette King of Gilead. 2nd dose Mpox vaccinations from KCHD. Fill your bag with goodies to prepare for Pride Fest. Community bonding, conversations, & fun. Fern the Pug - resident support animal. Below the text are the logos for GRPC, Gilead, and KCHD.

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May 7

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May 5

Come and join us for our Happy Hour Celebration where we will be honoring the expansion of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA)!!!

We will be celebrating Governor Whitmer’s signing of Senate Bill 4, which expanded protection for LGBTQ+ Michiganders in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act by adding gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.

Special guests include Senate Leader Winnie Brinks, Congresswoman Hilary Scholten, and State Representative Jason Hoskins!!!

It will be held Friday, May 19th from 6 to 8pm at Varnum's Rooftop Deck. You may go purchase tickets here: https://www.eventeny.com/events/honoringexpansionofelcra-5932/

We will have snacks available provided generously by @basaltgr !

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May 4

Please join the Grand Rapids Pride Center (GRPC) and @grtransfoundation (GRTF) for a joint Ice Cream Social Open House on May 20!

GRTF recently started renting the back office space from the GRPC, is adding an exciting new funding opportunity to their docket, and also officially hired their Executive Director and administrative staff - they’re not just volunteers!

GRPC has also had significant staffing changes & additions, as well as new & expanding programming. So this is a perfect opportunity to come tour both of our spaces, meet our new teams, and hear about the supportive programs that both of our organizations offer to the LGBTQ+ community!

FREE ICE CREAM (until we run out) + AMAZING GIVEAWAYS! (We will be providing sneak-peeks of the giveaways in the coming weeks, but you have to attend to get something!)

We hope to see you there! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

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May 3

May's HIV testing date is quickly approaching!

Walk-ins are always available, though making an appointment in advance is preferred. We, and our partners at Red Project, can't wait to see you!

We'd also like to extend a friendly reminder that masks are required in our building and are available at the door. :)

[Image Description: Two-toned red and navy blue text is centered at the top of the image and reads: "It's time to book your HIV Test!". Below this title reads: "Tuesday, May 9. 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm." and "For appointments: https://bit.ly/may-hiv-testing or email health@grpride.org". The text for this is navy only, and is paired with a red-bordered QR code that leads directly to the bit.ly link. The bottom half of the image holds a large, semi-circle Earth in varying tones of pink, with two illustrated people holding red HIV awareness ribbons. The person on the left is lighter-skinned, wearing a hijab and a long dark pink tunic, and is holding the ribbon close to their heart. The person on the right, who is darker-skinned, is wearing a blue t-shirt and red pants, with the HIV ribbon pinned to their torso and held proudly above their head. Above them, following the curve of the Earth, reads: "Knowing your status is always the safest route!". All of this is on top of a very light pink background, with three small pale blue clouds acting as accents near the border.]

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May 2

The Grand Rapids Pride Center is currently working to beautify our space and prepare the Center for our Spring and Summer programming, and we'd love to have some help!

We are asking that folks please come as you are able this Saturday, May 6, from 12pm to 4pm to our Spring Cleaning! Weather-permitting, we will be cleaning, organizing, prepping, and polishing up all of our indoor and outdoor community spaces.

There is no sign-up required for this event, and there will be tasks ready for folks of all ages and all abilities! Water, snacks, and fun will be provided!

[Image description: Text says, "Call for Volunteers! GRPC Spring Cleaning - May 6 12pm-4pm, All ages welcome! Snacks + Water provided" Illustrations of brightly colored (in pink, yellow, and purple) cleaning gloves, a spray bottle and a feather duster are along the bottom of the image, all on a cream background.]

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May 1

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Apr 30

New On-Site Resource Alert! On Wednesdays, 1:00-4:00 pm, Marcus (he/him), a Cherry Health Americorps Outreach & Enrollment Specialist, is now available at Grand Rapids Pride Center (343 Atlas Ave SE) to assist community members.

Marcus can help with first-time Medicaid or food assistance/EBT applications, Medicaid redetermination, MiBridges, and Community Resources Discussions. We have computers on-site as well to facilitate the application process. Marcus can help connect you with other community resources, and you can also meet with a Healthcare Coordinator from the GRPC's Health Equity Program for additional support if needed/desired. Please bring some form of identification (Driver’s License, Social Security, or Birth Certificate) & any information received in the email from the state of Michigan regarding the benefits. Appointments are strongly preferred because these applications take some time, but walk-ins are welcome, time permitting. When contacting us to make an appointment, please let us know your name, pronouns, how many people you're applying for, and what services are needed so we can block out sufficient appointment time.

You can always reach the Health Equity Program at health@grpride.org or email Cheyanne (she/her) directly, as she manages the appointments, at cheyanne.killin@grpride.org. You may also call (616) 458-3511 with questions or to make an appointment.

Image description: Text on a light background says, "Medicaid Navigation & Support with Marcus (he/him), Outreach & Enrollment Specialist, Every Wednesday, 1:00-4:00 pm. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome - health@grpride.org to make an appointment or with questions." Below the text are the Grand Rapids Pride Center and Cherry Health logos. The light background text box is set over an abstract background in golden yellow, burnt orange, and white.

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 >