OUR PROGRAMS
  • Provide a sense of belonging and being valued
  • Encourage physical activity
  • Educate youth on dating safety, healthy relationships, and HIV and STD prevention, by providing material not available in traditional classrooms
  • Educate youth on healthy life skills, such as goal-setting, decision making, negotiation, communication, interpersonal skills and stress management
  • Help youth to develop self-sufficiency skills and to work towards achievement of personal goals
  • Provide opportunities for youth to give voice and leadership in making a more inclusive community
  • Provide opportunities to experience supportive adult relationships
YOUTH GROUP
A safe place to be yourself, make friends and develop into a healthy, happy young adult. Open to ages 12-21. Meets every Monday and Thursday evening from 6 pm to 8 pm at the OUTright Center, 748 4th Street SW., Hickory, NC, 28602.  For more information contact: [email protected].
DROP-IN

LGBTQ and allied youth between the ages of 12-21 can stop by, drop in, and hang out during our youth Drop-in.    Every Wednesday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm

FEATURES
• High-speed WIFI & computers!
• PS4 & Wii
• Snacks & beverages
• Games and puzzles
• LGBTQ-themed library
• Homework help
• Lots of comfy sofas and chairs!

CONNECTIONS
Peer support and social group for LGBTQIQA individuals ages 18-30. Engages young adults throughout the Catawba Valley with a safe, confidential and respectful platform to meet other LGBTQIQA people and connect to important resources.  For more info, contact: [email protected]
TRANSGENDER PEER SUPPORT GROUP

The group is open to anyone (12-18) who is trans-identified, non-binary, gender expansive, or questioning their gender identity and looking for a space to be in a community with others who share this identity.  Discussions designed to be appropriate for youth and young adults. Meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at the OUTright Center, 748 4th St. SW. Hickory, NC,28602

CAREER AND ROLE MODEL SPEAKERS

Adult LGBT community role models share their personal journeys, including coming out stories, career paths, their success and challenges.  Their stories provide support and inspiration to our youth and their allies – that they can lead productive and rewarding lives in our community or wherever their paths may lead them.

MONTHLY DISCUSSION GROUPS

Discussion Group topics are determined by the youth members and relate to issues that they are experiencing in school, at home, at church and within the community and allow youth to  receive peer and facilitator feedback,

Discussion topics include: making healthy choices (safer sex, dating and relationships, suicide prevention, self image, and drugs/alcohol/tobacco) to reduce at-risk behaviors as the youth mature into adults.

GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE (GSA) SUPPORT

Facilitate the formation and the ongoing support for Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) through technical support.  Create and promote leadership opportunities for LGBT youth and their allies and provide a means of communication and support for youth.  Support for national awareness days.

Research has shown that just having a GSA in a high school can affect the atmosphere of the whole school toward LGBTQ students with a decrease in harassment and bullying at schools and an increase in school attendance and grade point average of LGBT students.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

These include speaking engagements to interested organizations and groups about the issues facing LGBTQ youth, and training educators, mental health professionals, community leaders and organizations, youth services and faith based organizations, and medical professionals on LGBT issues and bullying prevention.  Our goal is to educate the greater public on the aspects of, understanding, acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ youth, to raise awareness and advocate for equal rights.

BULLYING PREVENTION

Program  provides support, education and advocacy for all students and parents, collaboration and consultation for bullying prevention programs in area schools and community bullying prevention events and activities.

PARENT SUPPORT GROUP

Are you a parent/guardian of an LGBTQ youth? Do you want to meet other parents of LGBTQ youth? PFLAG Hickory offers parents, caregivers and influential adults in the lives of our LGBTQ youth a safe place to talk about how to support their LGBTQ teen.  Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the OUTright Center, 748 4th Street SW., Hickory, 28602.