Our Mission and Purpose: Time Out Youth offers support, advocacy and opportunities for personal development and social interaction to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, ages 11 through 20, in the greater Charlotte, NC, area. 

We will:  

• Provide a safe environment for LGBTQ youth and their allies by fostering interaction, learning and affirmation.   
• Build a youth's self-concept to its fullest potential through uniquely targeted programming.    
• Offer diverse opportunities for group activities that are open to all and closed to none. 
• Promote awareness, understanding, acceptance and inclusion for LGBTQ youth.        

Our programs include weekly support group meetings, movie nights, one-on-one counseling, crisis intervention and emergency housing. 

Our advocacy efforts include a school outreach program aimed at raising awareness among educators of the special challenges faced by LGBTQ students. Additionally, we have a Speaker's Bureau which offers presentations by our youth and an adult moderator on what it means to be LGBTQ at home, at school, at work, and in the community.        

Our funding comes primarily from individual donors, foundation grants and corporate sponsorships. We offer numerous volunteer opportunities for adults working directly with our youth as mentors or discussion group leaders, and assisting with special events.