SMYRC
A Safe Place for Youth to be Themselves

By: Nikki Jardin

The building is fairly nondescript and sits on a block of quickly flowing traffic on Belmont Avenue. But upon entering the door of the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC), any hint of blasé quickly fades and a cozy vitality kicks in.
Just through the lobby, fast paced club music can be heard. People are milling about or sitting comfortably on cushy couches. Two are playing pool, while others are involved in a card game or sit at one of the many computers. The atmosphere is lively, relaxed and feels like a home you may actually want to take off your coat and stay awhile at.
SMYRC opened its doors in 1998 and has since made itself a safe haven for young people who have come out of the closet or who are questioning their gender or sexual identity. It is there for youth ages 23 and younger.
Onyx, regular at the center, was busy preparing for that evening’s Drag Night performance when talking about SMYRC.

“I don’t know where I would be without SMYRC. In fact I don’t even want to think about what my life would’ve been like. I like to quote my mom who says, ‘I don’t know how long you would’ve lived without SMYRC.’ You hear it all the time around here, but it’s true, SMYRC saved my life.”

The center operates five programs, including drop-in hours three days a week to anyone who identifies as a sexual or gender minority youth . It also offers counseling for both individuals and families, and the popular Bridge 13 Project that facilitates workshops to schools, colleges and residential centers throughout the state in order to educate youth and adults to the issues surrounding young people who identify as a sexual minority.

Favor Ellis, the Center’s Program Manager would like to see Foster Parents and Case Workers receive training through Bridge 13, but contends that funding is “seemingly impossible to come by.” Ellis has seen this particular project have wide impact on people’s education around sexual minority and credits youth involvement.

“They get to train the trainers; it’s a great leadership opportunity for youth,” says Ellis.

Currently, SMYRC facilitates up to 6 trainings per week to a wide variety of venues, which, while offering educational value, also helps spread the word about the Center.

Youth find out about SMYRC through various means. Some are referred by teachers or counselors; others had friends bring them down. One young woman, Amanda, said she was fortunate to have parents that were willing to find resources for their then 14 year-old. Amanda has been coming to the center for over six years now.

“Basically, I had really awesome parents. My mom looked up support groups because they weren’t sure what to do. At that time there was a satellite SMYRC group in Clackamas County and she would take me there,” she says.

Like most non-profits, SMYRC has a solid volunteer base, and currently has adults aid in staffing the drop-in center. SMYRC volunteers go through two days of training before they are allowed to work with the youth, something people tend to be surprised by.

“People who identify as a sexual minority sometimes feel they don’t need a training to come in and work with our youth,” says Ellis, “but people are excited when they learn something new. We like to talk about how Gender Identity and Sexual Identity is fluid, so it’s interesting how we can all have different experiences around that.”

Ellis also adds, “It’s really important that SMYRC stays here for our youth. Every adult that comes here wishes they had a place like this when they were growing up, and it’s important to remember that these youth are the ones changing the community on a large scale.”

To donate monetary or other resources, or to find out more information, please go to www.smyrc.org or call 503-872-9664. SMYRC is located at 2100 SE Belmont St in Portland. You can also find SMYRC on MySpace, Facebook and other online tools.

You can reach writer Nikki Jardin at: Nikkij@idmagazineor.com