Safe Homes: Empowering LGBTQIA+ Youth in Worcester
{Jenny Pacillo}
The 2025 People of Courage Awardees who were recognized during the Safe Homes Gala on April 4th at Mechanics Hall.
NESTLED IN THE HEART of Worcester, Safe Homes has become an essential lifeline for LGBTQIA+ youth. This welcoming, supportive environment embraces young people and gives them space to explore their identities, heal from past trauma, and embrace their true selves. For over three decades, the organization has been a beacon of hope, providing critical resources and guidance to those who often find themselves isolated and rejected by society. Through its deep commitment to the well-being of queer youth, Safe Homes has created a place where they can not only survive but thrive.
I had the opportunity to visit Safe Homes and speak with Nicole Melissa Morin (she/her), LCSW, Licensed Clinician, Al Staples (they/she/he) Program Coordinator and Program Director Oscar Oliveira Soens (he/him) about the organization’s impact on the lives of young LGBTQIA+ individuals and how it continues to serve as a vital resource to young people throughout the community.
Oliveira Soens explains that the program’s mission is centered on creating a safe space for youth, understanding their unique challenges, and working tirelessly to help them overcome the barriers they face. “Safe Homes is very adaptive, we work hard to meet youth where they’re at,” Oliveira Soens explains, “I see a lot of what we do as removing barriers and providing opportunities. We’re looking at each individual and considering what their individual needs are that are not being met, and then determining what barriers are preventing them from getting these needs met. If a youth is willing to partner with us and put in the work, then we will be with them every step of the way.”
At the core of Safe Homes’ work is a personalized approach, one that considers the unique circumstances of each young person who walks through their doors. Whether it’s providing a safe space for youth to explore their gender identity or offering mental health support for those who have faced trauma, Safe Homes is unwavering in its commitment to the youth it serves.
“When they are at Safe Homes, we show them that there is a place for them, that there are adults who care about their needs and interests. They learn from us, but we also get the chance to learn from them,” says Oliveira Soens, “No matter what the rest of their world is like, here at Safe Homes, they can be their full and truest selves, and they will be accepted and loved. Through this and opportunities for learning and growth, we equip youth with the tools they need to go back out into the world and know that they matter, know that they will survive, and know that there is a place just for them to come back to.”
Staples was eager to explain what to expect when you walk through the doors to Safe Home for the first time. “When you come to drop-in, you can expect a welcoming community who accepts you with open arms and enthusiasm, youth and staff who value you no matter how you show up. Here you will find accessible resources, with a team of staff who are willing to work with you to help you get what you need. You will meet peers who understand and can relate to your ups and downs. We value the many ways that youth show up at our program, and we empower you to co-create this space by sharing what you’re passionate about with us.”
Gender-Affirming Support and Life-Changing Clinical Services
A standout service offered by Safe Homes is its gender-affirming support, which has been a transformative resource for many trans and gender-expansive youth in Worcester. For these young people, finding spaces where they can express themselves freely and authentically is often difficult, due to a lack of acceptance from their families or broader society. Safe Homes fills that gap by providing a space where youth can experiment with their identities, free from judgment or fear.
“Everyone, regardless of their gender, whether they’re trans or cis, need to have their genders affirmed. For trans and gender-expansive young people, there are many barriers to making this happen, whether it’s lack of financial access or independence, fear of rejection, the list goes on. Here at Safe Homes, we provide them a space where they can be free to experiment and try new things. Watching a youth go from being afraid to express themself to knowing that they have the strength to show up as their full self is one of my favorite parts of my job,” Oliveira Soens explains.
The on site Trans Resource Center is open to all folks regardless of gender, and offers clothes, cosmetic products, and other forms of gender expression and gender affirming supplies. Safe Homes doesn’t just create a space for youth to be themselves—it empowers them to take ownership of their identity and to explore it in ways that are true to them.
In addition to gender-affirming support, Safe Homes offers clinical services, which have proven to be a lifeline for youth who have never had access to mental health care. Many LGBTQIA+ youth face unique challenges, from family rejection to the trauma of bullying and isolation, which can have long-lasting effects on their mental health. For many of these youth, Safe Homes’ clinical services provide the first opportunity to speak openly and receive the support they need.
Oliveira Soens offers, “I want to mention that everything that Safe Homes does for these young people is always free, and always confidential. There is no insurance or money involved. And the fact that we are able to do all of this is because of support from the community.” Morin adds their, “#1 consideration for safety is the privacy of the people we serve.”
Oliveira Soens is particularly proud of the work of Morin, Safe Homes’ clinical lead, who offers therapy to youth who often face financial or cultural barriers to accessing care. “I brag about Nicole every chance that I get. If I could have created the perfect clinician to work at Safe Homes, I could not in my wildest dreams come up with someone as talented, brilliant, and caring as she is. The work that she does with youth is life-saving. She is available to meet with youth, many of whom have never spoken to a therapist before due to issues with insurance, financial or cultural barriers. She is able to provide that to them, and help them connect to other resources to support their mental and physical health.”
“We are focusing on the direct access needs while our youth are here at drop-in. We’re helping them get food, clothing, hygiene items, safe sex supplies, harm reduction kits, gender affirming gear, and knowledge of how to use it all to stay safe and healthy in a world trying to take that away from them!” Morin shares, “We are prioritizing youth autonomy - responding to their direct needs and working to decrease anxiety or fear around things that don’t have to be on their minds, or to normalize the difficult steps toward adulthood. Our goal is always to decrease avoidance, and to engage them in activities and quality time with peers and caring adults.”
Community Support: The Heartbeat of Safe Homes
While the services Safe Homes offers are invaluable, the program’s impact extends far beyond the individual youth it serves. Much of Safe Homes’ success is rooted in its deep connection to the Worcester community. The program relies heavily on donations, grants, and community partnerships to provide its services, and this support is crucial to the sustainability of its work.
“One of the most incredible things about Safe Homes is the support and involvement from the community,” Oliveira Soens notes, “For example, of the supplies that we give out to youth in need, including hygiene products, food pantry items, clothing, most of what we have has been given to us by the community. When someone is accessing these items, they are engaging with the love and care that our community gives us. Every item that we are able to provide them is evidence that they are valued, and that their needs matter.”
This community involvement is reflected in the partnerships Safe Homes has built with other local organizations, schools, and businesses, including Youth Move MA, IMPACT Boston and New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. Mass Youth Soccer have organized fundraising drives for the past three years and Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts provides safer sex supplies. These collaborations help expand the reach of Safe Homes’ services, ensuring that LGBTQIA+ youth have access to a wide range of resources and opportunities.
Oliveira Soens and Morin run professional development sessions, while other staff and sometimes even the youth run workshops that include printmaking, how to make a zine and storytelling to empower youth to dive into self reflection and expression through art. Safe Homes hosts community meals that are more than just a dinner with friends, they foster important life skills and create opportunities to learn about cultural foods that are important to people in the community.
“By learning and trying new things, youth become more able to lean into discomfort, and build resilience,” says Oliveira Soens “They may have negative experiences elsewhere in their lives, but if we can give them positive experiences, the negative ones become less overwhelming.”
Oliveira Soens emphasizes that Safe Homes doesn’t just react to the needs of youth, they actively listen to them. “When it comes to partnering for programming, we listen to our youth about what they want and need and then we work to make that happen. Youth wanted to learn about the name change process, so we brought in MTPC for Name Change Clinics; youth wanted Narcan trainings, and so one of our amazing staff, Él Martinez, leads those trainings for them; youth asked for education around healthy relationships and safer sex and so we brought in Planned Parenthood to teach them; youth want to engage with nature, and so we partner with Tower Hill for a series of amazing workshops. The list goes on.”
Staples adds that it’s about, “meeting youth where they’re at. Some of our youth are employed and can’t make drop-in times, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t access our resources. If a youth needs harm reduction supplies, hygiene products, or needs some gender affirming gear, they can coordinate with me to get what they need outside of drop-in times. For a youth who is interested in Safe Homes but is nervous about entering a new program, we can give them a tour of our space so they know what to expect when coming to drop-in for the first time. As best as we can, we want to limit any barriers that keep youth from accessing our services and being in our community.”
Transforming Lives: A Story of Hope
The true measure of Safe Homes’ impact is found in the stories of the youth who have benefited from its services. Oliveira Soens recalls conversations with young people about their experiences at Safe Homes, and they are truly heartwarming.
“A youth told us that when they are at Safe Homes, they know they are loved,” Oliveira Soens recalls, “That speaks volumes, and is a testament to the incredible team we have here supporting our youth. Another youth told me that when they come to Safe Homes, they feel like they are coming home. These words are the ones that you hold close to you and cherish.”
One youth shared their journey of self-discovery, explaining the impact of Safe Homes on their life. “To be honest I had no idea what being trans really was until my freshman year of high school. I was aware I was trans in middle school, but didn’t understand it. When I met another trans student, they had told me about Safe Homes and what it was, what they do there. I wanted to give it a shot. So, the next time it went on, I went with them to Safe Homes after school. I had never met so many people who were like me, and knew who they were. They even had new names. They had all helped me find a new name... Safe Homes helped me realize who I was, and I have never looked back since, and I could not be more grateful for them helping me see who I really was”
Looking Toward the Future
As Safe Homes looks to the future, its mission remains steadfast: to continue providing LGBTQIA+ youth with the resources, love, and support they need to thrive. Oliveira Soens points out that the program has evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of the community, and it will continue to do so in the years to come.
“We’re committed to supporting our youth in whatever ways we can,” Oliveira Soens says. “This program has adapted over three decades to meet the needs of the individuals we serve, and we’ll continue to evolve and provide them with the opportunities they need to grow, explore, and engage in positive experiences.”
Safe Homes’ resilience and dedication are particularly important in the face of rising political challenges and anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric. Oliveira Soens and Morin both emphasize that, despite the political climate, Safe Homes will continue to provide a safe, welcoming space for queer youth.
“No matter what’s happening in the rest of the world, when youth come through our doors, they know they are accepted,” Oliveira Soens says. “We are here for them, and we will continue to be a place where they can express themselves without fear.”
Morin adds, “It’s about connection, it’s about not being alone in what is happening. We may not all be in the same boat, we are all trying to weather the same storm.”
A Call for Support
For those looking to support LGBTQIA+ youth in the community, Morin’s advice is to be yourself and find an outlet that works for you. “The best work is the work you’re willing to do! Consider the things that seem fun or interesting to you and seek out the people already doing the work. Do you care about trans athletes? Climate change? Queer youth? Invest the time in learning about your existing community. Not everything needs to be a whole new organization, there are places that need strengthening and YOU have that strength. Put your TIME where your heart is, and your MONEY where you want to see things grow. Whether it’s through donations, volunteering to run a supply drive, or advocacy, there are countless ways to support Safe Homes and the LGBTQIA+ youth it serves.”
“So much of our strength as individuals comes from our relationships, and our sense of belonging to a community,” says Oliveira Soens, “Young people today are more isolated than they have ever been, which makes the work that Safe Homes does all the more important. LGBTQ+ youth who have one supportive adult in their life are 40% less likely to attempt suicide, per the Trevor Project. My staff, the Safe Homes team, are those adults. You can be that adult. Reach out to the queer youth in your life, and follow through for them. Be there for them, because so much of the world isn’t.”
As Safe Homes continues its vital work, it remains clear that its success is not just in the services it provides but in the community it has built. Through its unwavering commitment to love, support, and empowerment, Safe Homes is helping LGBTQIA+ youth navigate a world that often marginalizes them—ensuring that they not only survive but thrive. And for every youth that walks through its doors, Safe Homes remains a place where they are seen, loved, and celebrated for exactly who they are.
“For any LGBTQ+ youth reading this, I want you to know that you matter. You belong. No matter what anyone says, you deserve to live in this world, to have your needs met, to be loved and cherished as you are and as whoever you become,” Oliveira Soens shares, “You deserve to explore, to feel wonder and joy, to make mistakes, and to grow. I want you to know that when you come through our doors, you become a part of our community. The world may be a scary place, but you do not have to walk through it alone. We are here, we are queer, and we’re not going anywhere.”