ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A drop-in program for LGBTQ youth has found another new home.
Silk Lehigh Valley on Friday held an invitation-only open house for its new location at 315 N. 7th St., Allentown, a former house that is a few blocks from center city.
“We've been waiting to share our new spaces with the community for months — again,” Program Supervisor of Silk Lehigh Valley Chloe Cole-Wilson said, jokingly, during the event.
“And now today we are celebrating this very moment to continue to provide services to our LGBTQ+ young adults and young people with authenticity and love.”
Silk Lehigh ValleySilk Lehigh Valley is a drop-in program for LGBTQ people ages 14-29 that started in 2016. It is part of Valley Youth House, a Bethlehem-based nonprofit that serves vulnerable youth.
The program offers services such as access to HIV and STI testing, peer support and counseling. It also is a community space for LGBTQ youth and allies.
A second move
The program used to operate out of the basement of Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, but the center terminated the lease on the program in 2022.
It then had to move again after Allentown inspectors deemed its second location, the Hamilton Business Center, an "immediate risk to human life.”
“Our job at the city of Allentown is to create a safe, clean and healthy environment that supports the well-being of our residents and businesses,” Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk said during a speech at the event.
“And sometimes creating a safe environment means shutting down unsafe buildings and unfortunately displacing folks that are doing amazing things.”
“It's beautiful. It's much bigger, and it's just awesome."
Program Supervisor of Silk Lehigh Valley Chloe Cole-Wilson
Cole-Wilson said while the move was difficult, the new space is “a gift.” She said she knew the program had to move there as soon as she saw it.
“It's beautiful," Cole-Wilson said. "It's much bigger, and it's just awesome. And the youth love it. They get so excited to be in space."
Ashley Dallas, director of prevention services at Valley Youth House, said, “It's more like a home to them. Because it is a home.
“It's not a medical center. It's not a business center. It really evokes that feeling of being home.”
About 20-25 youth rely on the program, some of whom are unsheltered, Cole-Wilson said.
"I think some of the work that we do for young people is life-saving, just having the space open for young people," Cole-Wilson said.
"One of the really cool things about working here is being able to guide young people through life, especially through challenging times."
Silk Lehigh Valley recently added a full-time staff member for Haus of Shadez, its programming focused on LGBTQ youth of color ages 18 to 29.
Dallas said the program also plans to do more community-based work.