SMYRC provides a safe, supervised, harassment-free space for sexual and gender minority youth ages 13-23 who participate in positive activities like art, music, community organizing, open mic nights, drag shows, and support groups and receive services including case management, counseling, education, and more. With the goals of increasing academic success and access to jobs, reducing poverty and school drop-out, SMYRC honors, empowers, and supports LGBTQ youth to be their best selves and become leaders in their communities.

SMYRC also offers mental health support services. A Cascadia Behavioral Health LGBTQ Mental Health Specialist is available for appointments for SMYRC participants outside of the SMYRC space.  If you want to register for counseling please fill out a form at https://cascadiabhc.org/cair_form/ and request “birdie Marmaduke (they/them)” in the “other” section. Please select “Garlington Health Center” as the “preferred location”. For more information visit: https://cascadiabhc.org/seeking-help/ or call the CAIR line listed on their website.

Questions? Contact us at smyrcinfo@newavenues.org or 503-872-9664.

Current SMYRC Programming

Contact one of our youth advocates to schedule an appointment:   

Elaina Medina
Director of Equity & LGBTQIA2S+ Programs
Pronouns:  she/her/hers 
Contact:  emedina@newavenues.org

Colin Daniels
SMYRC Program Advocate
Pronouns:  he/him/his
Contact:  cdaniels@newavenues.org

 

Kashi Maya Tamang
SMYRC Program Lead
Pronouns:  they/them/theirs
Contact:  ktamang@newavenues.org 

Troy McKinlay
SMYRC Youth Advocate
Pronouns:  they/he
Contact:  tmckinlay@newavenues.org 

Angeline Booth
LGBTQIA2S+ Community
Education Specialist
Pronouns:  she/her/hers
Contact:  abooth@newavenues.org 

SMYRC – Downtown PDX
1220 SW Columbia St., Portland OR 97201   Map It!

SMYRC is on the lower level of the building. Please use the side door next to the parking lot and press the buzzer to enter.

By Appointment Only

SMYRC East

17199 SE Division St., Portland OR 97236   Map It!

SMYRC East is at 17199 SE Division Street. The house is the first red house on the right on 171^st that appears to be a barn, just past the apartments. Google Maps may take you to the apartments – just look for SMYRC East right next door.

By Appointment Only

SMYRC Rules of the Space

Bridge 13 Community Education

Thank you for reaching out to Bridge 13 Community Education, a program of the Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC).

Although our goal is to support all places in creating a safer and more affirming space for all LGBTQIA2S+ individuals in our community, we currently are pausing our ability to offer trainings at this time. We recently experienced some staff transition. Please bear with us as we intentionally hire and on-board new Bridge Community Educators over the next couple months to help meet our communities education needs.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to connect with Bridge 13 at bridge13@newavenues.org

We look forward to supporting your schools, businesses and agencies again soon.