Our Mission

By encouraging and supporting a process for youth leadership, The Attic validates the efforts of l/g/b/t/q youth to develop personal responsibility for their lives and communities. The Attic’s vision is one of inclusion where all individuals are valued and respected — a community where all young people have access to the resources they need to grow into healthy, independent, productive community members. The Attic’s mission and vision are supported by our multifaceted programmatic approach.

History

The Attic Youth Center is Philadelphia’s only agency exclusively serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (l/g/b/t/q) youth. Since our inception in 1993, The Attic has grown from a weekly support group in the attic of Voyage House into a comprehensive youth service agency. The youth-run community center now serves over 600 youth each month while our outreach programs, including the James H. Bryson Institute of The Attic Youth Center, have affected the lives of many thousands within the five county region. The Attic’s success in providing innovative support for l/g/b/t/q youth is attributable to the unique vision of its founder, a dedicated staff, a steadfast commitment to the safety and development of youth, and to the generous support of caring individuals like you who dared to become involved.