The Broadway Youth Center is a program of Howard Brown Health Center and our community partners, offering comprehensive services to youth, ages 12-24 including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness. The Broadway Youth Center is located at 3179 N. Broadway, near the intersection of Broadway and Belmont, and is open Monday-Friday from 1-8:00 pm. Hours are subject to change. All services are first-come, first served and free of charge. For more information, please call (773) 935-3151 x 0 between 10 AM-8 PM. To volunteer, check out our volunteer page. Our space is not wheelchair accessible and individuals must walk 1-2 flights of stairs to access services. Please call or email Lara Brooks, Manager of the BYC, to strategize and explore service linkage at our Sheridan Road location. Contact: 773-299-7622 or email larab@howardbrown.org
Drop In Services
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 1-4:00 PM
Stop by to hang out with your friends, listen to music, use our computers, make some phone calls, pick up some supplies, shower, and get something to eat. For more info, contact Stephanie at 773-299-7613 or email stephaniegf@howardbrown.org. We offer a safe space for LGBTQA and youth experiencing homelessness to access: - Resource Advocacy: Resource Advocates provide youth-centered and non-judging one-on-one support to young people. We work alongside and advocate on behalf of youth participants experiencing homelessness or housing instability. We offer resources and options for young people seeking support with emergency housing, systems navigation, employment, vocational/educational goals, mental health, physical health, identification replacement, and basic needs. For more information, stop by during the drop-in program or contact Bonsai at 773-299-7623 or bonsaib@howardbrown.org.
- Clothing Vouchers: We offer clothing assistance and household set-up to youth participants from our Brown Elephant store on Halsted. Join us on Wednesdays at 11 AM. Limited slots are available and must be scheduled in advance with a resource advocate or drop-in worker. For house/furnishing needs, contact Bonsai at 773-299-7623 or bonsaib@howardbrown.org.
- Laundry: We offer laundry assistance each Friday at 1:30 PM. Just meet us at drop-in and we’ll go together.
- RAWR! (Radical Awesome Writers Resisting): Join us any time on Mondays and Fridays from 2:30-4 pm. This space is supported by the amazing Jakob VanLammeren and a group of amazing youth writers. Come to share and develop your poetry and writing skills with us!
- Peer Advocate Project: We are an LGBTQ youth of color leadership project. We design and facilitate workshops about harm reduction, nutrition, violence prevention and intervention, and doing anti-oppression work. For more information, contact Darrian at 773-299-7626 or darrianm@howardbrown.org.
- Community Meetings: The Drop In Program hosts weekly community meetings each Wednesday. These meetings are open to all staff, volunteers, and youth participants each week.
- Youth-Led Workshops: Youth participants are supported with incentives, supplies, and facilitation support to create relevant workshops for their community. If you would like more information about creating your own workshop, stop by the Drop In Program or contact KOKUMO KINETIC at 773-299-7610 or KOKUMOK@howardbrown.org.
Testing Services
STD/HIV Testing
Monday-Friday, 1-8:00 pm
*Testing Together option available for HIV testing to male couples on Tuesday and Thursdays, 5-7:30 pm* No appointments necessary, walk-in only. Individuals must register for service 30 minutes prior to close and sessions may become full. Please arrive early. Free anonymous rapid HIV testing (results in twenty minutes) and confidential STI screenings for chlamydia and gonorrhea are available daily. Syphilis screenings are available on days when our clinic is available. Youth who are symptomatic of an STI can also receive free treatment for themselves and their partner(s) on days when our clinic is available. Need your testing results or want to find out if they’re in? Contact one of our health educators at 773-299-7621. Medical Services
** Clinic hours subject to change. Please call ahead to verify medical services will be open.** Monday, 1-8 PM
Tuesday, 2-6 PM
Wednesday, 1-8 PM
Thursday, 1-8 PM
Friday, 1-8 PM No appointments necessary, walk-in only. Individuals must register to be seen 30 minutes prior to close and clinics may become full. Please arrive early. See a health care provider for common conditions experienced by young people, including sexually transmitted infections. Free pap smears are available on the first Monday of each month from 6-8 pm for uninsured individuals 21 years or older. Referrals are also available to a primary care provider for ongoing health needs. Medical services are free-of-charge and you do not need insurance. If you feel you are experiencing a life threatening health emergency, please call 911 or go directly to your nearest Emergency Room. Counseling
Call (773) 299-7605 for an appointment or stop by drop-in on Mondays and Fridays between 1-4 PM.
Individual counseling is available on a drop-in basis or by appointment to assist youth with coming out, gender identity concerns, dating violence, substance use, HIV-status, etc. Counseling at the BYC is free of charge. PATH Program for HIV+ Youth
The PATH Youth Network is a comprehensive program for youth living with HIV/AIDS, providing free medical care, case management, counseling, support groups, and peer education. Youth or providers interested in learning more can contact Becky at 773-388-8869. Youth Development Programs
Transgender Women Informing Sista Trans-women on AIDS (TWISTA)
TWISTA is a group designed to celebrate the strength and resiliency of transgender women of color (ages 16-24) and help them deal with struggles like harassment, relationships, and health. TWISTA groups are three-weeks long and meet twice a week. There is also an optional research component of TWISTA. Contact Matty at 773-299-7619 or mattyr@howardbrown.org to get more information and to enroll in an up-coming group, OR check out the TRANSISTA SALON- a sickening self-care day for trans girls to come get hair, nail and make-up services & learn about TWISTA. General Education Development (GED) Program
Broadway Youth Center’s General Educational Development (GED) program is a partnership between Howard Brown Health Center and Prologue, Inc. The goal of the program is to provide LGBTQA young people (17-24) with a safe and supportive environment where they can work toward their high school equivalency degree at their own pace with individualized support. For more information, call (773) 299-7601. Mentor Program
The Mentor Program pairs LGBTQ youth, ages 12-18, with LGBTQ adult mentors. The Mentor Program also works to create spaces for intergenerational dialogue. For more information, contact Tony Alvarado-Rivera at 773-299-7609 or tonyar@howardbrown.org. Youth Research
A variety of research opportunities are available for youth ages 16-24. Come share your experiences and opinions! Opportunities include small group based interventions, one-time research visits, and studies that involve multiple research visits. For more information, call (773) 388-8880 or check out our current projects by clicking here. Social and Support Groups
360•
1st and 3rd Mondays from 6-8:00 pm
360• is a group dedicated to the prevention, health and well-being of young women between the ages of 18-24.
Eban
2nd and 4th Mondays from 6-8:00 pm
Eban is a social support group for African American gay, bisexual and same-gender-loving young men between the ages of 16-24. HELLO
Tuesdays, 6-8:00 pm
A group for homeless and formerly homeless youth who are interested in creating social change and increased access to resources for people experiencing homelessness. TYRA
Wednesdays, 6-8:00 pm
TYRA (Trans Youth and Resource Advocacy) is a program at the Broadway Youth Center that is specifically for young trans feminine, trans masculine, and gender non-conforming youth ages 13-24. This is an educational and support-based group for young trans folks where we can come together and talk about trans related issues that we face on a daily basis. If anyone is interested or has any questions about the program please feel free to contact the program Coordinator Matty Nakina Rosado at 773-299-7619 or mattyr@howardbrown.org.
POSITIVE
1st and 3rd Thursdays, 6-8:00 pm
A social & support group for HIV+ youth, ages 16-24, at Howard Brown Health Center. New participants must contact Becky at (773) 388-8869 prior to attending.
FAB: Fridays at Broadway
2nd and 4th Fridays, 6-8:00 pm
A safe space for LGBTQ youth to meet other people and participate in educational workshops, get anonymous HIV testing and confidential STD screening, and receive medical care. Safer sex supplies and dinner are also available. 
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