Broadway Youth Center

So grateful for all they do,
We were hosting a party centered around SAFE SEX EDUCATION…
We are thankful for everything that was donated and helping to further educate the Lesbian community on safe sex.

Drove well out of my way to get tested here. Called beforehand at 3:30, was told by a fake friendly sounding woman that testing was from 1 – 8. Arrived at 4:30, paid for street parking. Rang the bell, was told that they weren’t testing until 5. Could’ve told me that on the phone…
Waited around until 5. Came back at 5. Went upstairs. There were already about 7 folks in the small waiting room (???). Was told to wait until she called. She called my friend, gave her a form to fill out, and called «anyone else who’s left.» I went in alone – it was just me left – and was told, «Sorry, we only have 4 spots for testing and that number has been filled.» I stared blankly. «So…». She goes on: «Yeah, I know. It totally sucks. But you can come back Monday.» THANKS.
I held my pee in for this?
Am I glad they are testing folks? Of course! Should they have done a better job at communicating? YES.
On a side note, there’s something wrong with all of this testing shit. Everyone’s supposed to get tested, right? Then why are all the clinics only open during work hours? There seems to be 3 shitty types of testing clinics.
1. Costs $ 250, open 1 – 5.
2. Free, open 12 – 5.
3. Free, open 1 – 8 but only sees 3 patients.
Time to open a 24-​hour laundromat/​STD testing center!

a SAFE, non judgmental environment for GLBT youths.

Hot damn! I can’t believe how much the BYC has changed since I began volunteering there back in November of 2006! How I miss thee! The BYC began with only being on the third story, then took over the second floor above Chipotle while keeping the third floor, and now it has received a completely gorgeous make-​over. Check it out at:
The BYC is a fun «safe space» completely open to any youth between the ages of 12 and 24*. It especially focuses on providing those youth who are homeless, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender) or at-​risk at accessing resources and services to promote their overall health and well-​being. They do practically everything you can think of including:
–FREE STD testing (HIV [oral swab], Chlamydia & Gonorrhea [urine sample], & Syphilis [blood draw-​only available when a medical provider is present)
–HIV prevention programs
–Medical care
–Drop-​in services
–Housing searches & resourses
–Crisis intervention including counseling & psychotherapy
–GED tutoring & testing
–Financial literacy, employment & independence life-​skills workshops
–LGBT-​specific mentor program (the nation’s first!)
–Community-​based research projects
If you’re not looking for any of these things, feel free to stop in for FREE CONDOMS during these difficult economic times. Go check it out for yourself!
*If you’re older than 24, go two ‘El’ stops north on the red line to the main hub for all ages called Howard Brown Health Center at Irving Park & Sheridan.