Volunteer Opportunities - BYC

The Broadway Youth Center, a program of Howard Brown Health Center and our community partners, offers free and accessible services to thousands of LGBTQ youth, youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and street-based youth each year. These services include: (1) Drop-In, a basic needs program; (2) Health Services Clinic; (3) Education and Vocational Services, including an LGBTQA GED Program; (4) Resource Advocacy, an individualized program that supports youth navigating systems or referrals; (5) Counseling; (6) HIV/STI Testing and Treatment; and (7) Youth Leadership Opportunities. To apply for a long-term volunteer/internship position, please complete the the questionnaire below and email to Stephanie Gentry-Fernandez at stephaniegf@howardbrown.org. 

1. Are you applying to be a volunteer or an intern?

2. If you want to be an intern, are you currently affiliated with an institution such as a university or trade school?

3. Would you want to volunteer/ intern with Drop-in or Health Education/ Testing?

4. Why do you want to volunteer/ intern at BYC?

5. What kind of support will you need to provide quality services?

6. If you are selected to volunteer/ intern at BYC, what are skills, talents, or passions would you bring to the space?

7. What do you think are the reasons for homelessness?

8. Can you work in a loud, fast-paced, social, crowded environment that can often feel like a high school cafeteria during lunchtime?

9. BYC offers a safe space for anyone ages 12-24 and their children. This includes people of color, queer and transgender people, people living with HIV/AIDS, formerly incarcerated and/or institutionalized people, street-based people, and people trading sex for survival needs or otherwise involved in street-based economies. How would your work support this type of safe space?

10. What personal frameworks or life philosophies will you bring to the organization, and how do you think these frameworks or philosophies inform/guide your work?

11. Please describe any physical accessibility needs that you think we should know about.For more information, contact Stephanie at stephaniegf@howardbrown.org or 773.299.7613.

Drop In Worker

The Drop in worker is responsible for providing youth-centered support to at-risk LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) youth, youth experiencing homelessness, and/or street based youth. This will be achieved by providing basic needs and linking youth to resources and services within the Broadway Youth Center. The BYC approaches youth work from a youth-centered, sex-positive, and harm reduction framework. This means that youth are the experts in their own lives and deserve access to a wide array of information and non-judgmental resources.

The BYC's drop in hours of operation beginning June 3, 2013 will be Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from Noon - 3 p.m. Beginning in July, hours will expand to Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from Noon - 3 p.m. We expect a weekly commitment from volunteers and interns for at least six months. All volunteer and intern drop in workers must complete a two-day training at the Broadway Youth Center. Training dates are not finalized yet, but we anticipate the next training to be in early/mid June. 

Health Educator/Tester

The health education volunteer position offers the opportunity for individuals to learn the day-to-day workings of community-based HIV prevention and testing program.  Volunteers will be trained to provide HIV interventions such as HIV/STD testing and counseling, community-based outreach, and support/education groups for youth, ages 12-24 years old. Volunteers will have additional opportunities to enhance their knowledge of HIV prevention best practices, including harm reduction and anti-oppression principles, through consistent interaction with other young, passionate health education professionals, as well as with the clientele accessing services at the Broadway Youth Center (BYC).

The BYC STI/HIV testing hours of operation are currently 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Monday,  Tuesday, and Thursday, and 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Friday; and the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturday of the month.  Beginning in July, testing hours will be 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.  on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Wednesday. All volunteers and interns must be available for at least one test counseling shift a week for at least six months.  All volunteer and intern health educators/testers must complete a two-day training at the Broadway Youth Center.  Training dates are not finalized yet, but we anticipate the next training to be in early/mid June

Drivers!

Have a car?  Looking to use it for good?  Have Thursday from 11AM-12 PM free?  The BYC is looking for drivers to pick up a food donation from First Slice in Albany Park and drop it off to Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ in Lakeview.  Because drivers have no contact with youth, no training or paperwork is required.  Please email or call Kylon Hooks at KylonH@howardbrown.org (773-299-7624) or Stephanie at Stephaniegf@howardbrown.org (773-299-7613) if you are interested in helping out!

One-time and/or group opportunities:

The BYC is always in need of items for the youth who utilize our services. These items make a huge difference in the lives of LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. We encourage you and your club or organization to get involved by organizing a toiletry or basic needs drive for the BYC. We are always accepting donations and this is a great way to get involved in the community! 

Right now the BYC is especially in need of:


surface wipes with bleach

socks

underwear

deodorant

razors 

shaving cream 

Contact Stephanie Gentry-Fernandez, Volunteer & Community Partners Coordinator at BYC, at stephaniegf@howardbrown.org for more information about setting up a "Much Needed Items" drive.