About Us

Mission Statement

To provide a safe and confidential environment for social interaction among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning youth through support, advocacy and education.

Safe and Confidential

• All volunteers are 21 years old or older.
• All volunteers must pass a CANTS (Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System) background check by DCFS (Illinois Department of Children and Family Services).
• All volunteers are mandated reporters. They are required to report suspected child maltreatment immediately when they have reasonable cause to believe that a child (under 18) known to them in their professional or official capacity may be an abused or neglected child.
• All volunteers must successfully undergo training in a variety of topics, including community resources, mentoring, crisis management, coming out and diversity issues, and the basics of HIV/AIDS prevention.*
• Two or more volunteers who meet the criteria above must be present at all official events of the Open Door Youth Center at any time youth (under 21) are present.

Support

• Coming Out Issues
• Role Models
• Issues with work and school
• Self-esteem
• Suicide
• Acceptance of self
• Body image

Advocacy

• Issues with work/school
• Hate crime issues
• Crisis help
• Verbal abuse
• Self-esteem
• Suicide
• Intervention

Education

• HIV prevention
• Self-esteem

A Brief History

1997 

February • Valentine’s Day Dance for PFLAG youth – a drop-in event
March • PFLAG youth drop-in held becomes monthly
April • First committee meeting held to write a grant requesting funds to educate and inform gay youth on HIV/AIDS
May 23 • Gay Prom attended by 35+/- youth from Bloomington, Normal, Peoria, Champaign and Decatur.
May • Organizing committee meetings begin. $3000 grant received and budget submitted.
September • Youth Center begins weekly events at MCATF Community Center. Initial attendance averages 5-6 youth.
October • The youth name their group the “Open Door Youth Center.” 18 volunteers take first training.

1998 

Open Door Youth Center schedule line begins.
February • Valentine’s Day Dance drew 28 youth.

2001

August • Fifth consecutive annual HIV prevention grant awarded for $6000.
Fall • 2-9 youth attend weekly group events.