OUTreach Resource Centers: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Utah

OUTreach Resource Centers has been at the forefront of providing educational, health, and enrichment interventions for LGBTQ+ youth across Utah. Through innovative programs, community partnerships, and dedicated volunteers, OUTreach has created pathways to safety, acceptance, and opportunity for young people facing unique challenges.

This legacy archive honors the historical work and impact of OUTreach Resource Centers while preserving important resources for communities continuing this essential work.

Our Mission and History

Founded with a commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-23, OUTreach Resource Centers expanded from a single location in Ogden to multiple centers across northern Utah, including Logan, Tremonton, Brigham City, and Clearfield. This growth responded to the urgent need for affirming spaces and resources in communities where LGBTQ+ youth often faced isolation, rejection, and limited support options.

The organization’s mission centered on creating safe environments where young people could develop self-efficacy, build supportive relationships, access essential resources, and envision positive futures. This work was particularly vital in addressing the disproportionate rates of homelessness, suicide risk, and educational disruption experienced by LGBTQ+ youth in Utah.

Through partnerships with educational institutions, healthcare providers, community organizations, and dedicated individuals, OUTreach developed comprehensive support systems that addressed the multifaceted challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth. These collaborative approaches demonstrated how communities could come together across differences to support vulnerable young people.

Core Programs and Services

OUTreach Resource Centers developed a range of programs and services designed to address both immediate needs and long-term wellbeing for LGBTQ+ youth. These initiatives were continuously refined based on youth input, emerging research, and evolving community needs.

Safe and Sound Host Home Program

The Safe and Sound Host Home Program represented an innovative approach to addressing LGBTQ+ youth homelessness through prevention, early intervention, and family reconciliation. This program connected youth experiencing housing instability with trained host families who could provide temporary safe housing while longer-term solutions were developed.

Beyond emergency housing, the program provided family mediation services, helping parents and youth navigate conflicts related to LGBTQ+ identity and develop healthier communication patterns. In many cases, these interventions allowed youth to return to safer home environments with improved family relationships.

For youth unable to return home, the program provided pathways to independence through life skills training, educational support, and connections to sustainable housing options. This comprehensive approach addressed both immediate safety needs and longer-term stability.

Educational Advancement and Employment Preparation

Recognizing that education and employment represent critical pathways to stability and self-sufficiency, OUTreach developed robust programs to support youth in these areas. These included homework assistance, GED preparation, college application support, and connections to scholarship opportunities.

Employment preparation workshops covered resume development, interview skills, workplace rights, and professional communication. The “Dressing for Success” program provided professional clothing and accessories for job interviews, removing practical barriers to employment opportunities.

These educational and employment initiatives were particularly important for LGBTQ+ youth who often faced discrimination in these settings, helping them overcome systemic barriers while developing the skills and confidence needed for success.

Mental Health and Wellness Support

Mental health support represented a cornerstone of OUTreach’s programming, addressing the elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ youth. Professional counseling services, peer support groups, and crisis intervention resources created multiple pathways to mental health assistance.

The S’More Support Group provided a safe space for youth to process experiences, build coping skills, and develop supportive peer relationships. This group combined therapeutic techniques with youth-centered approaches that honored the expertise young people had developed through their lived experiences.

Wellness programming extended beyond mental health to include physical health education, nutrition support, substance abuse prevention, and connections to LGBTQ+-affirming healthcare providers. This holistic approach recognized the interconnected nature of various aspects of wellbeing.

Youth Leadership Development

OUTreach’s youth leadership development programs empowered young people to become advocates for themselves and their communities. These initiatives built public speaking skills, community organizing capabilities, and policy advocacy knowledge that allowed youth to participate in creating more inclusive environments.

Youth leaders played central roles in community education efforts, sharing their experiences and insights with schools, healthcare providers, religious organizations, and policymakers. These youth-led educational initiatives proved particularly effective in building understanding and support for LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Many participants in these leadership programs went on to pursue education and careers in social services, education, healthcare, and public policy, creating ripple effects that extended far beyond their immediate involvement with OUTreach.

Community Partnerships and Collaborations

OUTreach Resource Centers developed innovative partnerships with diverse organizations and individuals, demonstrating how collaborative approaches could create comprehensive support systems for LGBTQ+ youth. These partnerships leveraged complementary strengths and resources to address complex challenges.

Educational partnerships with institutions like Brigham Young University brought research capabilities and academic resources to bear on issues like youth homelessness, while providing OUTreach with data to inform program development and advocacy efforts.

Creative collaborations with artists and musicians, such as the YEYEY Kickstarter campaign, demonstrated how cultural production could support social change while introducing new audiences to LGBTQ+ youth issues.

Online communities like r/exmormon provided platforms for resource sharing, volunteer recruitment, and community education, extending OUTreach’s reach beyond geographic limitations.

Accountability partnerships with organizations like the Better Business Bureau strengthened OUTreach’s operational practices while building credibility with donors, partners, and the broader community.

Resources and Support

OUTreach Resource Centers developed and curated extensive resources for LGBTQ+ youth, families, educators, and community members. These materials addressed common challenges, provided practical guidance, and offered pathways to additional support.

The resource library included materials on family acceptance, educational rights, healthcare access, legal protections, and spiritual support. These resources were designed to be accessible and practical, offering concrete steps for addressing specific challenges.

Physical spaces were designed using inclusive design principles that created safe, affirming environments where youth could fully participate regardless of ability, identity, or background. These thoughtfully designed centers became models for other organizations serving diverse youth populations.

Community education workshops provided training for educators, healthcare providers, religious leaders, and other professionals on supporting LGBTQ+ youth. These workshops built capacity across multiple sectors to create more inclusive environments.

Get Involved

The work of supporting LGBTQ+ youth continues to require dedicated individuals and organizations committed to creating more inclusive communities. There are many ways to contribute to this important work:

Educate: Learning about the experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ youth is an important step toward creating more inclusive communities. Explore our about page for educational resources and information.

Advocate: Speaking up for policies and practices that support LGBTQ+ youth wellbeing makes a significant difference. Organizations like The Trevor Project provide resources for effective advocacy.