SUPPORT GROUPS

YouthConnect

Hudson Pride Center’s YouthConnect Program offers LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 13 and 24 weekly programming that supports the healthy building of community, peer-to-peer connections and collective/individual wellness and empowerment.

Through this program, Queer youth have access to events, workshops & support groups that build on: community care, self-love, uplifting & honoring individual/collective strengths, mental health awareness/support, learning leadership skills, embracing & appreciating diverse racial/cultural/intersectional identities, exploration of gender & sexuality beyond the binary, inclusive safe sex education and self/community empowerment through creative art, writing and self-expression!

YouthConnect also provides direct 1:1 support to assist Hudson County youth with accessing LGBTQ+ affirming mental health services, emotional/mental/physical wellness resources, substance-use treatment & care referrals, legal support resources for the advocacy & protection of undocumented youth, linkages to suicide prevention/crisis support resources and linkages to HIV/STD testing and PrEP Services/Counseling through Hudson Pride Center. Trans Support Services are also provided for youth in need of access to HRT, letters of support, referrals for gender affirming surgeries and support with legal name/gender marker changes.

YouthConnect meets every Friday at the Center from 6pm-8pm. Youth are encouraged to come after school hours and socialize and connect before more structured programming.

Connect with our YouthConnect Community on Instagram for the latest updates on our upcoming events, workshops, and resources! For more information on our YouthConnect Programming, please email our Youth Program Coordinator, Susie Gervolino (she/her), at susie@hudsonpride.org

Family Ties

Family Ties is a support group for parents and guardians of LGBTQ+ youth (17 and under). We believe in peer support and educational tools to help parents and guardians better understand their LGBTQ+ youth and their needs while promoting a positive parent/child relationship.

Feel free to bring your child with you! Our Youth Staff at Hudson Pride will have creative activities for youth to do in a separate room during your meeting.

Family Ties meets twice a month on Saturdays from 4pm-6pm. Sessions operate on a hybrid (in person & virtual) schedule. Please email our Director of Youth Services, Stephanie Mills (she/her), at Stephanie@hudsonpride.org for more information.

BEYOND THE BINARY

Beyond the Binary is a distinct space for transgender, gender non-conforming, and/or non-binary folks to receive healthy practices and peer support. We offer facilitation around trauma-sensitive mindfulness techniques and a safe space for conversation and resource sharing as well as workshops and events. Beyond the Binary can provide linkage to gender affirming healthcare navigation, counseling, and other unique supportive resources!

Beyond the Binary meets every Tuesday from 6pm-8pm:

The 1st Tuesday of the month is Virtual

The 3rd Tuesday of the month is In-Person

The 2nd and 4th Tuesday’s are Hybrid.

For more information on our Beyond the Binary Programming, please email our Beyond the Binary Facilitator, Gabriella Gomez (she/her), at gabby@hudsonpride.org.

LEZFEST

Lezfest is a social platform designed to connect Queer Women throughout New Jersey and to provide beneficial resources that will champion in equality for Queer Women. The platform is built on the foundation of empowerment, advocacy, health, and activism. We support eradicating social injustices, enhancing queer women representation, and celebrating our diverse community. Through activities like open mics, mixers, and dating events members are provided opportunities to connect with peers and establish life-long relationships. To learn more about free membership, contact us at Lezfest@hudsonpride.org or follow us on our social media platforms: LezFest Facebook and @lezfest_hpc on Instagram.

Rainbow Elders of New Jersey

Rainbow Elders of New Jersey is a contact, information and support group whose mission is to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults. We are in partnership with two organizations— The Hudson Pride Center in Jersey City and SAGE: A national LGBTQ+ organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for LGBTQ+ older adults.

Rainbow Elders of New Jersey meets:

Virtually on Tuesdays from 6pm-7:30pm

In-person at the Hudson Pride Center from 6:00pm-8:00pm on the second and fourth Thursday of each month

Although our prime audience is LGBTQ+ adults 50 and older, we welcome people of all ages to join us. Often we have guided group discussions on topics either brought up by the group or selected from a list. Speakers also present at our meetings on topics relevant to the needs of LGBTQ+ older adults.

In addition, we discuss SAGE materials and talk about SAGE– its mission and programs. Participants are made aware of resources, especially those included in SAGE’s National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. The group also receives valuable information from a variety of local sources about resources available to them as residents of Jersey City, Hudson County, and the State of NJ. For more information contact Gordon Sauer at gordon@hudsonpride.org.