Youth

The Gay Alliance Youth Program provides comprehensive advocacy and support services to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their families in Monroe County and the surrounding areas.

The 3,500 sq. ft. Youth Center is solely dedicated to providing a safe and supportive place for youth ages 13-23 to discuss issues, make friends, and get support. Services include weekly support groups, drop-in hours, evening and after-school specialty groups, social activities, leadership opportunities, crisis intervention, and short-term counseling.

Download our current Youth Program calendar:

September 2011 Calendar

NEED HELP NOW? Consider reaching out to one of these resources.

	Center for Youth-Rochester 24 HOUR HELPLINE & YOUTH EMERGENCY HOUSING 585-271-7670 www.centerforyouth.net

Are you having a tough time and need someone to talk ASAP? The Trevor Hotline is the only national 24-hour, toll free, 365 day-a-year confidential suicide hotline for gay, lesbian, transgender and questioning youth. Call them at 1-866-488-7386 or visit the online at THE TREVOR PROJECT

YOUTH TALKLINE: Toll-free 1-800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743) HOURS: Monday thru Friday from 8pm to Midnight, Eastern Time Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The GLBT National Youth Talkline provides telephone and email peer-counseling, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States.

Biography of Jessica Cohen, Youth Services Director

Jessica Cohen has been the GAGV Youth Services Director since January 2008. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Health Science with a concentration in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling from SUNY Brockport. Jessica has worked with adolescents in a variety of settings, including residential and outpatient chemical dependency treatment settings. She was previously a Youth Program Assistant at the Gay Alliance and a member of the Speaker's Bureau. Jessica currently sits on the Board for Rochester's chapter of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), and continues to advocate daily for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth.