The Attic Youth Center started out as a non-funded school project geared towards helping a sector of the LGBT community that was often ignored. Now, 20 years later, The Attic has become one of Philadelphia’s most valuable LGBT resources.
In 1993, Dr. Carrie Jacobs started The Attic Youth Center while pursuing a doctorate degree. The Attic, which was an eight-week project for Jacobs and one other student, brought 41 youth through its doors once a week. Now, the center sees an average of 65 youth daily, opening its doors to 15,000 young people every year.
For Jacobs, the lack of programming for LGBT youth inspired her to continue the services with virtually no funds.
“I would have been heartbroken if it ended,” she said. “There were no other safe spaces available for LGBTQ youth.”
Jacobs organized and presented research about the need for youth-focused LGBT programming to the board of directors of Voyage House, where The Attic was originally housed. The board concurred that the project should continue, although Jacobs and organizers were tasked with fundraising.
The center has since seen three homes.
It was housed in the Voyage House from 1993-96, but quickly outgrew that space.
“Forty-50 youth were coming up to The Attic every week and it was like sardines in a can because The Attic was small,” Jacobs said. “We organized a group called the Youth Planning Committee, which we still have today, and the youth went out and looked for a new space. We found a space around the corner from Voyage House.”
The Attic moved to 419 S. Lombard St., where it operated for several years until an anonymous donor offered The Attic funding to purchase a new space, at 255 S. 16th St., which sold for about $315,000.
The center settled into its new space in July 2003.
“I believe that once we moved into the current building, we became an institution here in Philadelphia for LGBTQ youth,” Jacobs said. “Together, we created a space that the youth could call their own.”
The center is now run by 12 full-time staff and another dozen part-time employees.
The staff is not the only element that has expanded over the years, as programming has grown by leaps and bounds.
“We originally had one program, a weekly support group,” Jacobs explained. “It was a three-hour program with social time and support time. Our programming has expanded tremendously over the years. We provide comprehensive programming at this point. We went from a weekly support group to 15-20 different programs.”
Current programming covers an array of topics — from health and wellness to arts and culture to leadership and workforce development.
Jacobs said The Bryson Institute, which provides LGBT training, has impacted both youth and adults throughout the region.
“Even today, a lot of schools and agencies do not know how to effectively support LGBTQ youth,” she said. “The Bryson Institute of The Attic has provided training for over 30,000 individuals, and their main goal continues to be to educate institutions on best practices for working with LGBTQ youth.”
Although the staff has been integral in launching and maintaining innovative programming, the youth have also played a key role in program development.
“The programming is created and developed from youth ideas and input and that is what is unique about The Attic,” Jacobs said. “Often, adults create programs for youth to fit into, but here at The Attic the youth collaborate with staff to build programs that work for them.”
Scott Barnes, co-chair of the committee planning The Attic’s upcoming anniversary gala, said the youth who visit the facility represent diverse backgrounds, but their differences seem to bring them together.
“Every time I walk in there, there are kids aged 13, 17, 16 — black, gay, trans, white, advantaged backgrounds, disadvantaged backgrounds — it is a melting pot and they are so loving of each other,” he said. “You could have the crappiest day, but they are all smiles. It is a safe haven.”
The Attic’s history of providing a safe haven will be marked at its annual gala, Nov. 16 at the Crystal Tea Room.
Barnes and fellow co-chair Tami Sortman started planning for the event in late February. The gala is sold out, with more than 600 guests expected. Barnes noted that the 15th-anniversary gala had about 300 guests.
On Wednesday, The Attic announced that headliner “Glee” star Alex Newell had to cancel his appearance due to work obligations. Newell is planning a meet-and-greet in Philadelphia with VIP ticketholders.
The Attic will now welcome headliner Jai Rodriguez, of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.”
Special guests will include out CBS 3 anchor Jim Donovan and former “The Apprentice” cast member Omarosa Manigault.
Barnes said he envisions a bright future for The Attic and expects new growth in the coming years.
“The Attic is already filled with heart and has great youth, staff, donors and board. It is about spreading the love so they can spread their organization — whether that means an additional facility or larger facility. If the love for The Attic can be spread, the possibilities are endless.”
Jacobs also said she sees The Attic expanding so that it can continue to thrive in the next 20 years and beyond.
“I can’t say what our youth will need in 20 years, but I hope to still be providing programs to support the evolving needs of our young people. It would be great to have more youth allies both at The Attic and in the community.” she said. “But today, The Attic family and our programming has grown so much that we need a larger building so that we can continue to grow and thrive. A new home is what I hope within the next few years.”
