Why WJCS Center Lane is so Important for LGBTQ+ Youth

WJCS is very proud to have founded Center Lane in 1995 as the first center for Gay and Lesbian youth in Westchester. We still have the only center and the most comprehensive program in Westchester county for LGBTQ+ youth. Unfortunately, results from national surveys of LGBTQ+ youth show all too clearly why programs like Center Lane are crucial. Here are some of the harsh statistics*:

90% of LGBTQ youth report mental health concerns like depression, anxiety and stress and 95% report trouble sleeping at night
More than 40% of LGB and 84% of Trans youth have seriously considered suicide, and 29% of LGB and 40% of Trans youth report having attempted suicide, with higher numbers for youth of color
67% of LGBTQ youth report that they’ve heard family members make negative comments about LGBTQ people
34% of LGBTQ youth were bullied and 10% were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property
Over 50% percent of trans and gender expansive youth said they can never use school restrooms that align with their gender identity
Only 26% say they always feel safe in their school classrooms
Only 5% say all of their teachers and school staff are supportive of LGBTQ people

Fortunately, there is good news**:

WJCS Center Lane’s programs are proven effective. Evaluations of Center Lane’s programs in 2019 showed:

97% agreed that “I learned something new about the LGBTQ+ Community from Center Lane.”
92% agreed that “I’ve learned more about myself as a LGBTQ+ person or aspiring ally from Center Lane.”
98% agreed that “Center Lane has helped me respect and be kind to everybody in the LGBTQ+ community.”
100% agreed that “Center Lane is a good place to find an LGBTQ+ community.”
100% agreed that “The adults at Center Lane care about me.”

Center Lane participants have said:

“Center Lane has offered the thing that every LGBTQ+ child needs but often does not have: community. Through Center Lane’s conferences and programs, I have made friends and learnt information that I would never have come across otherwise.”
“Center Lane allows LGBTQ+ youth to share their feelings, be able to hear the right name and pronouns, and to have a place to feel comfortable.”
“Even though, we are a vulnerable population, we continue to persist and create spaces to include all and try to make others feel at home. Center Lane helps LGBTQ+ youth with their mental and emotional health and allows us to develop new social interactions.”
“Center Lane has created a space for me to meet other LGBTQ+ youth especially those of color, it is a space that has saved my life countless times and will continue to save LGBTQ+ youth from whichever obstacle they face.”
“[TransParentcy] has helped me navigate through numerous mental health issues, social difficulties, dysphoria, and other difficulties of being trans. I am so grateful I have this safe space to express my feelings and also help other transgender youth, Transparency has definitely been a very positive influence on me. Not to mention, some of my closest friends I met there.”
It is okay to not know or understand exactly who you are or where you are at, however, it is really important to do your best to respect yourself and everyone around you while you are learning and figuring things out.”
“I learned how much we need to really value each other and each other’s experiences.”