About Us

Safe Homes is a program for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning young people between the ages of 14 and 23. Led by youth and professional staff, as well as volunteer adult advisors. We offer support and resources in a safe and nurturing environment.

Safe Homes is a program of The Bridge of Central Massachusetts, a human service agency headquartered in Worcester. Safe Homes is one of forty one programs operated by The Bridge and is the only program in Central Massachusetts which provides specialized services to LGBTQ youth.

Our Mission

Our Mission is to create safe and supportive services for LGBTQ youth in the environment where they feel nurtured and validated in all aspects of their identity.

Our Goal

Our goal is to decrease isolation and to nurture the health and well being of LGBTQ youth. We do this through education, outreach, advocacy and support. There is something for everyone at Safe Homes.

What’s New?

Video Project Initiative For Unaccompanied Youth

Kat Chapman, from the MA Coalition for Homelessness is coming to Safe Homes on February 9th to interview Laura Farnsworth, Safe Homes Manager, about the LGBT youth homelessness crisis.  The video will be shown to State Legislators to gain their support for the House bill "An Act Providing Housing and Support Serives for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth".  To learn more about the act and the scope of the video project click here

Funding Helps Youth at Safe Homes

Safe Homes is funded in part by a recent grant of $16,000 from Greater Worcester Community Foundation.  The grant received in the Fall of 2011 Cycle will help provide operating and program costs for the program that serves over 300 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) youth yearly.

Funding from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation will:

• Ensure that our LGBT youth know about Safe Homes through: the website, a youth written blog, and Facebook; and through flyers and brochures left in places that youth frequent
• Provide ongoing supportive counseling and structured educational and social programming
• Provide advocacy for LGBT youth at home, in schools, and in community settings
• Provide training for volunteer adult advisors and peer leaders

Thank You Greater Worcester Community Foundation for your commitment and support.

Got LGBTQ Rights? Yes!

 This video talks about LGBTQ student rights in Massachusetts, but much of the information applies to students in public schools across New England.  Know your rights, get educated.  Click Here to watch this very important video.

e-newsletters

To view our Spring 2012 e-newsletter please click here

To view our Winter 2012 e-newsletter please click here 

Take the 2011GSA Census  and let your GSA’s needs in the safe schools movement be heard!