ORLANDO YOUTH ALLIANCE INC

The Orlando Youth Alliance has offered a weekly peer-to-peer support group

for LGBTQ youth in Central Florida since 1990. Today, three weekly groups

are offered: Orlando, Lakeland and Longwood. Monthly social, educational

and recreational activities occur to further help our youth to develop a core

group of friends and peer supporters. In addition to the support group and

activities, OYA provides LGBT History & Culture classes, scholarships, mental

health referrals and career exploration. Numerous professionals have spoken

to our youth about their careers and the options that await them. Developing

this nucleus of friends is the key to never feeling alone. Since LGTBQ

youth are five times more likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual

classmates, it is vital that we provide the services of OYA to our area youth.

The impact of OYA: Over the past 31 years we have helped 2,100

youth. Two of those youths now serve on the board of directors