Pride Month is meant for celebration but for many in the LGBTQ+ community, a lot of what is being celebrated is being supported.

The Q Center in Syracuse is one of the many places across the Empire State that community can come in for a myriad of resources.

“We have support groups and social events for youth ages five to 25 and then from 25 to 29, our case management services," said Karen Fuller, a family advocate at the center.

Not only does Fuller see the ways the center staff help on a daily basis, but also the growing number of people more comfortable than ever reaching out.

“I used to average about one to two new families a month. Now it's around one to two new families a week,” she said.

Taking a quick tour around the facility, you start to understand the scope of everything available.

“So this is one of our group rooms. In here is our full kitchen,” said Fuller as she pointed out the amenities housed in the office along West Genesee Street in the Salt City. “We also have our washer and dryer. This is where group is facilitated. We provide these services all year round, Pride is just one month, but there are 11 more months and always youth looking for support; looking to build community.”

In one room is tangible resources and safe gathering place. One room over is geared towards access and education.

“This allows kids to come in during the school year if they need access to the internet to do any schoolwork,” she said. “We have these computers but they're also used for how to write a resume; interviewing tips. How to cook meals for one, you know, one or two people.

Moving down the hall there are offices for different resources and essentially critical because according to the Williams Institute of UCLA, 17% of sexual minorities experienced homelessness in their lifetime. That's twice more than the rate for the general population.

“We have gender neutral restrooms we have two of them here. We our second one also has a shower,” she pointed out. “And that is so that if youth aren't comfortable, you know using the shower at home or if we have youth that don't have a home that are actually homeless. We have a place for them to come, have a shower and do laundry.”

“Being able to meet a family and see you know, at the very beginning they're unsure and they have a lot of fears and knowing that all these doubts that they have are going to go away,” Fuller remarked. “It’s humbling in a way that I am able to be such a part of that.”

The Q Center can help with everything from what they physically offer on-site to referrals.

This includes medical doctors, lawyers and plenty of resources for families looking to be allies for their children. All services from the Q Center are free.