Mission
Lambert House is the largest community center in the Northwest for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning (GLBTQ) youth, ages 11 - 22. We offer numerous social, recreational, health, counseling, and cultural programs throughout the year. We are located on Capitol Hill in Seattle and served over 500 different GLBTQ youth last year through 4,419 service contacts. Our website can be accessed at: www.lamberthouse.org
Description
Our multi-service community center is open five days a week and provides a safe environment for GLBTQ youth to find community and end the social and psychological isolation that usually characterize their lives in school and at home. Here, they are the majority and the norm. We feature: social and recreational activities; performance events and dances; piano and keyboard; pool table; 2,000-volume GLBT lending library; computer lab with Internet access; separate weekly support groups for "Boys Who Like Boys", "Queer Young Females", and "Tranz Youth"; a seminar on relationship skills; internships and leadership opportunities; queer film nights; gay skate monthly; outdoor recreation monthly; dinners most nights; and free mental health counseling. We serve GLBTQ youth from all economic backgrounds, living situations and educational experiences. Our on-site services are confidential and also include: crisis intervention and resource referral; drug and alcohol evaluation; mental health counseling; transgender social support and; transportation to free clinics twice weekly. For GLBTQ youth in need, we provide free personal hygiene items and a small clothing bank at no cost. We depend heavily on volunteers for our service delivery. We have approximately 70 regularly-scheduled volunteers that contribute hours equivalent to 4 full-time employees (FTEs). Our organization qualifies for the Microsoft Matching Volunteer Program.
History
Lambert House started in 1981 as the Association of Gay and Lesbian Youth Advocates (AGLYA). In 1991 AGLYA seized an opportunity to lease an old Victorian house in Capitol Hill, Seattle's most visibly queer neighborhood. The organization was renamed in memory of Grey Lambert, a young man who worked to open our community center and who died of AIDS-related causes just as the house opened. Since then, Lambert House has expanded its programs and today enjoys a national reputation as an innovative, leading organization in the Northwest for queer youth.
