We Are Family

Our Mission

We Are Family (WAF) is a Southern grassroots community-based organization founded in 1995, and is the oldest LGBTQ nonprofit in the state of South Carolina that supports queer, trans, and ally young people. WAF cultivates affirming spaces for LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, etc.) and ally youth in S.C. by providing direct services, leadership development and community engagement opportunities that have a lasting and measurable impact. We offer a wide variety of youth programming (ages 24 and under) and movement initiatives focused on: 1) leadership development and social support; 2) health and wellness; and 3) community engagement and advocacy. Simply put, We Are Family is where queer youth thrive!

How Your Donations Help

$1,000 gift will provide nearly 14 sessions of mental health services-- or 3½ months of therapy-- for 1 youth in South Carolina
$225 gift will provide 3 sessions of mental health services for 1 youth in South Carolina
$100 gift will provide emergency assistance support, though the Trans Love Fund, for 1 member of our trans community in South Carolina
$50 gift will provide leadership development supplies and resources for the GSA Coalition, a network of clubs for LGBTQI+ youth and allies in middle and high schools, for 1 school in South Carolina
$25 gift will provide gender-affirming gear-- a chest binder, Tuck Kit, TransTape, or packer-- for 1 trans youth in South Carolina

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Our Impact

We Are Family posted an impact story
over 3 years ago — South Carolina

We Are Family Annual Signature Event: 2022 Charleston Queer Youth Prom. The Charleston Queer Prom IS that one magical night of the year for middle and high school students to dance, celebrate, and build community free from anti-LGBTQI+ discrimination. Nearly 250 youth attended the event in April 2022. To hear about this program's transformational impact directly from our youth, please check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvzwcA2Mym0

We Are Family posted an impact story
almost 4 years ago — North Charleston, SC

We Are Family's Mental Health Coordinator, Chandler Massengale, LMSW, presents at a local conference on Mental Health Interventions and LGBTQ+ youth. Through our Mental Health Assistance Program, Chandler has trained more than 52 mental health providers in the SC Lowcountry on LGBTQ+ youth cultural competency!

Causes We Support

Justice Rights

Countries We Serve

United States