On a rather ordinary early January day we took a train to the Staten Island Ferry then got on the boat to take us to staten island and a twenty minute walk later we arrived. The building is nice, with a colorful interior. Another elevator ride later we arrived. We sat down with the woman who has worked there the longest and asked her a couple of questions. First off she made us aware that that was the only Pride Center on the island, then she told us about the different types of activities that they host. She told us about their self defense classes to community potlucks. All of these aspects are what build a welcoming environment with such nice people. They also hold senior classes and have free counselling. And they try to help kids who have not yet come out as well as the ones who have. Its a great program with amazing people and opportunities. She told us to continue with our social justice project and what we are doing is great and that’s what inspires people. We learned so much about the LGBTQ youth community it was great. It was quite intriguing. And really nice to know that what we are doing will make a difference, because one thing she told us that will stick with me is that educating people is one of the best things you can do. LGBTQ youth who go to that center sometimes come from a unaccepting household, but others have people at home who accept them, but they want to make friends. They also hold activities such as bowling and dances, but they also have classes in self defense.

Gwen, Myself, Isabella, Annabelle, and Mika.