Resources for LGBTQ Youth
This resource list represents only some of the many agencies and services that are supportive of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning youth. Every attempt has been made to assure that these groups are supportive and/or provide specific services for sexual minority youth.
It is the policy of Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children’s Services to respect, support, and nurture each individual foster child’s total development, including issues of sexual identity. To this end, DFCS recognizes that special placement, disclosure/privacy, court, and licensing approval considerations are intrinsic to appropriately serving LGBTQ youth.
Counseling
Family and Children’s ServicesOffice: (408) 292-9353
950 Julian St.
San Jose, CA 95126
Family and Children’s Services is a private, non-profit human services agency serving individuals, couples, and families throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The agency offers a wide variety of comprehensive, affordable counseling, education, and prevention programs and has collaborations with local schools, community based organizations, county providers, and corporations. Offers a full range of mental health services to gay/lesbians/bisexual individuals, couples and households.
The LGBTQ Youth SpaceOffice: (408) 343-7940
452 S. First St.
San Jose, CA 95113
Offers confidential counseling to LGBTQ youth ages 16-24. Counseling drop-in hours are Wednesdays 4 pm to 7:30 pm. Services are available for eligible youth and young adults covered by Medi-Cal, Medicare, and major insurance carriers, as well as those who are uninsured. However, they will not turn anyone away.
Amy L. Caffrey, LMFTOffice: (408) 871-1397
80 Gilman Ave., #32
Campbell, CA 95008
Specializes in working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, couples, and families.
Lindsay Smith, LCSWOffice: (408) 772-7052
315 University Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Specializes in teens and substance abuse.
Alum Rock Counseling CenterOffice: (408) 294-0500
1245 E Santa Clara St.Hotline: (408) 294-0579
San Jose, CA 95116
Bill Wilson CenterOffice: (408) 243-0222
3490 The Alameda
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Bill Wilson has emergency drop-in housing for youth 11-17. Outpatient counseling is also offered if the person qualifies for this service.
The Centre for Living with DyingOffice: (408) 243-0222
1265 El Camino Real, Suite 208
Santa Clara, CA 95050
The Centre for Living with Dying program provides emotional support to adults and children facing life threatening illness or the trauma of having a loved one die. The Centre also provides crisis intervention services and broad-based educational programs on grief and loss. Whether clients choose individual counseling or grief groups, they are gently given tools for coping with loss and trauma. The Centre also provides family counseling and group counseling for children, teens and adults.
Domestic Violence
Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence Hotline: (408) 279-2962
Office: (408) 501-7550
Offer crisis intervention, peer counseling, emergency assistance, emergency shelter, assistance with temporary restraining orders, housing referrals and counseling. Special services for lesbian and gay victims of domestic violence.
Support Network for Battered WomenHotline: (800) 572-2782
Offer 24 hour crisis line, crisis intervention, peer counseling, emergency assistance, emergency shelter, assistance with temporary restraining orders, housing referrals and counseling. Special services for lesbian victims of domestic violence.
Break the Cycle Hotline: (888) 988-TEEN
Available 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
National Domestic Violence Hot LineHotline: (800) 787-3224
CUAV – Community United Against ViolenceCrisis: (415) 333-4357
Office: (415) 777-5500
Services are provided in English and Spanish. The crisis line services are provided in any language. CUAV is a multicultural organization working to end violence against and with the LGBTQ community. CUAV offers a 24-hour confidential multilingual crisis line, free counseling, legal advocacy, and emergency assistance.
Families
COLAGE – Children of Lesbians and Gays EverywherePhone: (415) 861-KIDS
COLAGE is the only national and international organization in the world specifically supporting young people with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered parents. The offer support and advocacy, and have groups, activities, trips, pen pals, a national conference, a newsletter publication for kids, information and resources, and more.
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Phone: (408) 270-8182
PFLAG is a monthly support group open to parents, spouses, siblings, and friends of lesbians and gays. San Jose meetings take place at United Church of Christ at 1980 Hamilton Ave., San Jose, CA on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Gilroy meetings are provided as needed.
Health
DimensionsPhone: (415) 487-7589
3850 17th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Comprehensive health services for LGBTQ youth. Drop-in or make an appointment, open from Thursdays 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Health Initiatives for YouthPhone: 415-274-1970
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 430
San Francisco, CA 94104
Provides resources and training to young people about health and wellness, including zines which discuss and challenge common notions about HIV, queerness, health and gender.
HIV/AIDS Testing
The Crane CenterOffice: (408) 792-3720
976 Lenzen Ave., Room 1800
San Jose, CA 95126
The Crane Center is a Santa Clara County unit that provides free HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases testing (parental consent is not needed if age 12 or older by appointment).
Planned ParenthoodOffice: (408) 277-0777
Planned Parenthood health centers offer high-quality sexual and reproductive health care, including family planning, gynecological care, STI/STD testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, and abortion services.
Billy DeFrank CenterOffice: (408) 293-3040 x 119
938 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
HIV testing available three times per week by walk-ins and appointment.
Housing
Bill Wilson CenterOffice: (408) 243-0222
Bill Wilson has emergency drop-in housing for youth 11-17. Outpatient counseling is also offered if the person qualifies for this service.
Community SolutionsOffice: (408) 779-2113 or
Different locations are found in Gilroy and Morgan Hill (408) 842-3118
Provides a comprehensive spectrum of prevention, intervention, treatment, residential and housing services to the communities of South Santa Clara County, south San Jose, and San Benito County.
Emergency Housing Consortium (EHC) 24 hour hotline: (408) 298-2660
31 N 1st Street
San Jose, CA 95112
Hours: Drop in center: Monday-Friday, 2-8 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 4-8 p.m. Overnight shelter: Monday-Friday, 8 p.m. – 8 a.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 8 p.m. – 9 a.m.
The Ark HouseOffice: (415) 861-6130
A 15-bed residence for LGBTQ young adults in San Francisco; stays of 3 to 6 months.
Rape Crisis Center – YWCA of Silicon ValleyOffice: (408) 287-3000 or
(650) 493-7273
The YWCA helps residents of Silicon Valley to minimize the traumatic aftermath of sexual assault by providing a 24-hour crisis hotline, immediate crisis counseling and assistance, information and referrals, and accompaniment services to medical, police, and court facilities. Their goal is to minimize the traumatic aftermath of sexual assault and to promote safety, freedom from abuse, and unrestrained mobility for everyone in our community.
Hotlines
GLBT National Help CenterHotline: 1-888-843-4564
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline provides telephone and email peer-counseling, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States. Services are free and confidential. They speak with callers of all ages about coming-out issues, relationship concerns, HIV/AIDS anxiety and safer-sex information, and lots more! They also maintain the largest resource database of its kind in the world, with over 18,000 listings. Their database contains information on social and support groups, as well as gay-friendly religious organizations, sports leagues, student groups and more. They also have information on GLBT-friendly businesses including lawyers, doctors and various counseling professionals.
California Youth Crisis LineHotline: 1-800-843-5200
The California Youth Crisis Line is a statewide, toll free, 24-hour, confidential phone line available to young people between the ages of 12-24, and concerned friends and family members. CCY provides crisis intervention counseling on many issues including family problems, sexual assault, eating disorders, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, suicide and more. CCY offers support, encouragement, and referrals to youth needing assistance or in crisis situations.
The Trevor Project Hotline: 1-866-488-7386 The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. The Trevor Project operates the only accredited, nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth.
Legal Issues
Lambda Legal (Western Regional Office)Office: (213) 382-7600
Legal information and assistance with sexual orientation related and HIV/AIDS related discrimination. Mondays — 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesdays — 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesdays — 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursdays — 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday — 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Call 213-382-7600 and ask for the Help Desk.
Legal Advocates for Children and Youth (LACY)Office: (408) 293-4790 Represents minors in legal matters such as guardianship and emancipation.
National Center for Lesbian RightsOffice: (415) 392-6257 870 Market St., Suite 570 San Francisco, CA 94102 Offers free legal information and support for youth who suffer abuse at home, school or psychiatric institution.
Related Youth Centers
AQUA (Asian Queer and Under 25)Office: (415) 292-3420 x315
Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center
730 Polk St., 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94109
Retreats, workshops, peer education program, and drop-in support social group for young queer Asian/Pacific Islanders.
The LGBTQ Youth SpaceOffice: (408) 343-7940
452 S. First St
San Jose, CA 95113
For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and ally youth and
young adults ages 13-25. DeFrank has a safe and confidential space to hang out,
support groups, art workshops, activism, movie nights, field trips, open mic nights, dances, volunteer opportunities, HIV testing, etc. Free snacks, internet access, video games,
and safe sex supplies/condoms. www. youthspace.org
Girlz AlliancePhone: (510) 357-5515 x37
Girls Inc. of Alameda
13666 E 14th St.
San Leandro, CA 94578
Teenage lesbian, bisexual and questioning female support group meets Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 pm.
LYRIC (Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center) Office: (415) 703-6150
127 Collingwood St.
San Francisco, CA 94114
LYRIC is a community center for LGBTQ youth which offers comprehensive services for youth 23 and under. Please see their website for more information.
The Outlet ProgramOffice: (650) 965-2020 x22
711 Church Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
LGBTQ youth services program in Mountain View. Provides counseling & community, leadership training & advocacy, and outreach awareness.
SMAAC Youth Center (Sexual Minority Alliance of Alameda County) Office: (510) 834-9578 1608 Webster Street Oakland, CA 94612 SMAAC Youth Center serves youth (primarily ages 14-24) drawn throughout the City of Oakland, Alameda County and the Bay Area. The Center targets LGBTQ youth of color.
School Issues
GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network)Office: (212) 727-0135 GLSEN is an educational advocacy organization that works to make schools safer and more inclusive for LGBT students and staff.
Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Contact: Cassie Blume, Manager of Youth Outreach Services at Billy DeFrank Center (408) 293-3040 x 111 Gay Straight Alliance Network is a youth led organization that connects school based Gay Straight Alliances to each other and community resources through peer support, leadership development and training.
Spirituality Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) Office: (408) 279-2711 65 S 7th St. San Jose, CA 95112
Dignity San FranciscoOffice: (415) 681-2491 @Seventh Avenue Presbyterian 1329 Seventh Ave. San Francisco, CA Social/support activities for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered Catholics.
Transgender issues TransYouth Family Adocates (TYFA) Info: 1-888-462-8932 Parents, family, friends and caring adults are dedicated to educating and raising public awareness about the medical and cultural challenges faced by children with gender variant and gender questioning identities and the families who love them.
Trans FamilyInfo: (216) 691-4357 TransFamily is a support group for transgendered and transsexual people, their parents, partners, children, other family members, friends, and supportive others.
07/12
DFCS Social Services Agency
Bert Borja, MSW, LGBTQ Social Worker Specialist. Ph. (408) 501-6814. 373 W Julian St., San Jose, CA 95110