OUR MISSION PARTNER: YOUTH OUTLOOK

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ABOUT YOUTH OUTLOOK

Youth Outlook is the first and longest-running social service agency in Illinois solely dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth. They work in seven counties in northern Illinois, offering drop-in centers for youth, caregiver, and parent support, plus community education and professional development.

Programming available for LGBTQ+ Youth and Families at Youth Outlook:

๐ŸŒˆ Drop-In Centers

  • Drop-in centers for LGBTQ+ youth, ages 12โ€“20, continue to meet weekly with locations in DeKalb, Peoria, Ottawa, Joliet, Naperville, Palatine, Downers Grove, Bolingbrook, Elmhurst and Sterling.
  • Can’t attend in person? They offer virtual drop-in programs on Zoom on Tuesdays (for ages 12โ€“20) and Wednesdays (for ages 18โ€“24).
  • They also facilitate weekly chats through a QChat Space partnership. QChat Space is a unique text-based support group for young people across the country. No video or voice is used. Check out QChatSpace.org for more info.
  • Need support when a drop-in center isn’t available? Be sure to check out Imi, a resource created by and for LGBTQ+ youth.

๐ŸŒˆ Rainbow Sprouts

๐ŸŒˆ Parent/Caregiver Programs

  • Their Thrive Parent and Caregiver group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays in Naperville and is geared towards caregivers actively parenting LGBTQ+ teens.
  • Stay tuned for news later this fall for a Thrive Group for Spanish speakers!

๐ŸŒˆ Health and Wellness Navigation

  • They launched their free navigation services early this year. Their health and wellness navigators can support LGBTQ+ youth and families to find doctors, therapists and other care from vetted, affirming providers. Email hwn@youth-outlook.org to get started!

๐ŸŒˆ Community Education and Professional Development

  • They just revamped the Community Education page on their website, complete with all of the trainings that they offer. Check it out!
  • Click here for a full catalog of their offerings.

๐ŸŒˆ Stay in the Know

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Inclusion Team Co-Chairs

Rachel Shaw Callahan, Co-Chair
Alex Onion, Co-Chair

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Please join us every Sunday for worship at 8:45AM & 10AM in the Sanctuary. The 10AM service is live-streamed on our YouTube channel.