ALLENTOWN, Pa. — After moving two times in a year, an LGBTQ youth program has a new permanent location.
Silk Lehigh Valley soon will open at 315 N. 7th St., Allentown, a few blocks from center city.
The center will open for clients on Friday, March 1.
"The new Silk Lehigh Valley location represents a significant step in achieving this mission."A press release from Valley Youth House
Silk Lehigh Valley is a drop-in program for LGBTQ people aged 14-29 that started in 2016. It is part of Valley Youth House, a Bethlehem-based nonprofit that serves vulnerable youth.
“Valley Youth House's Silk Lehigh Valley is dedicated to empowering and supporting LGBTQ+ youth, and the new Silk Lehigh Valley location represents a significant step in achieving this mission,” a statement from the nonprofit read.
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.
Silk Lehigh Valley had to vacate its former location in Hamilton Business Center in December after Allentown inspectors deemed that building an "immediate risk to human life.”
The nonprofit has held virtual programming since then.
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.
