Youth Services

Youth Services is the only agency in the Tulsa area focused solely on serving the needs of adolescents and transitional aged young adults.

We help youth and their families by providing a continuum of services in the following areas: Runaway and Homeless Youth Services, Counseling, Delinquency Prevention and Youth Development.

Our Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQQ) and Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) program focuses on making schools safer for all youth regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. This program has been remarkably successful at reducing bullying schoolwide.

Research shows that LGBTQQ youth make up around 10% of the total youth population, but are exposed to a disproportionate amount of discrimination, prejudice and verbal and physical abuse. The social stigma these youth experience may lead to an increased risk for drug and alcohol abuse, low self-esteem, suicidal ideation, homelessness and high risk behaviors.

Our LGBTQQ services include:

• Gay Straight Alliance support
• Out Together: a weekly group for LGBTQQ and ally middle and high school students
• Rainbow Corps: a weekly group for LGBTQQ 18-24 year olds
• Youth Leadership Retreats
• Education and Professional Development
• Access and referrals to other services such as counseling and adolescent health education.

 

For more information about our LGBTQQ and GSA program, please contact Victoria Wiener at 918.382.4429 or vwiener@yst.org.