ABOUT SMYRC
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.
Questions? Contact us at smyrcinfo@newavenues.org or 503.872.9664.
SMYRC – Downtown PDX
1220 SW Columbia, 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.
SMYRC EAST
16570 SE Oak, Portland OR 97230 Map It!
SMYRC East is located within Open School in Room 107. Parking lot & school main entrance are located one block north of Stark Street between 165th and 167th. Please buzz in at main entrance.
Wednesday: 4-6pm
BRIDGE 13 COMMUNITY EDUCATION
SMYRC’s Bridge 13 community education is designed to address root causes of discrimination impacting the LGBTQ community and to create safer spaces for queer and trans* people of all ages. The Bridge 13 curriculum is broad in scope and covers topics related to sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, and gender expression but can be adjusted to respond to specific needs.
Interactive and gentle (but challenging!), Bridge 13 trainings are typically scheduled for at least two and up to five hours, though we certainly encourage you to contact us to discuss other possible arrangements. Our facilitators work to accommodate a broad range of preliminary knowledge on the topics to be covered—knowledge that will be increased in the first half of the training and applied in group discussions/activities in the second half.
While Bridge 13 primarily focuses on serving youth and youth service providers—particularly those within the SUN Service System—we offer programming for organizations and businesses (including, for example, social-service and medical providers) that serve adult populations and individuals of all ages. We also offer consultation services for individuals, groups, organizations, and businesses regarding policies, intake forms, in-house training materials, space, specific LGBTQ youth needs, support around a particular circumstance, or implementation of best practices. Speakers are also available to sit on panels or speak individually to groups about personal experiences.
For more information or to set up a training, please e-mail us at bridge13@newavenues.org.
STAFF
Elaina MedinaLGBTQ Program Manager
Preferred gender pronouns: she/her/hers or anything respectful
Contact: emedina@newavenues.org
Seth JohnstoneSMYRC Program Advocate/Bridge 13 Community Education Trainer
Pronouns: he/him/his
Contact: sjohnstone@newavenues.org
Dede WillisSMYRC Program Advocate
Pronouns: name or they/them/their
Contact: dwillis@newavenues.org
Shane Penunuri
Emily SquiresEngagement and Education Specialist
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Contact: esquires@newavenues.org
Carrie FuentesBridge 13 Community Education Trainer
Pronouns: she/her/queen
Contact: cfuentes@newavenues.org
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