The Eon “Lounge” Youth Center works to strengthen Tucson’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, queer, questioning, intersexed, and straight-ally youth communities by creating social opportunities, providing information and support on health issues, advocating for youth rights, and challenging society’s perceptions of youth as they face institutionalized oppressions that target the many facets of their identities.

Eon provides a safe drop-in space for these youth, ages 13-23, and conducts outreach and education throughout the community. Eon has served more than 4,000 youth, including more than 400 youth registered to participate regularly in the “Lounge” drop-in space. Staff and youth leaders provide workshops, trainings, social events, support services, and a weekend leadership retreat. Evaluation results marked significant gains in preventing and supporting those youth experiencing or affected by HIV/STDs, substance abuse, homelessness, truancy, dropping out of school, and suicide.

Eon is a collaborative program of SAAF , Wingspan , Pima County Health Department , CODAC Behavioral Health Services, Inc., and the University of Arizona’s SIROW.

http://www.eonyouth.org/

For more information, contact
Casey Condit at 520-620-6245 or by .

Eon's Activities, Events, and Services

The Eon "Lounge" drop-in center, located in downtown Tucson, is a safe hangout space for youth 23 and under and includes a mini-library, computer stations, video games, and youth art. Please call 620-6245 for directions. Before joining in program activities, youth must complete a 45-minute Eon orientation. New Youth Orientations are held on Saturdays at 5pm ONLY. If you are unable to make it to a Saturday Orientation, please stop-in or call us to schedule an alternative time.

Our drop-in hours are:

Sunday/Monday - closed
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday - 3-8pm
Friday - 3-10pm
Saturday - 2-10pm

Prism offers GBT-friendly substance use and abuse early intervention. This project centers on a 7-session workshop series for youth that addresses coming out, history, culture, identity, substance use, sexual health, and more. Youth also participate in an accompanying study to show the effectiveness of this innovative program.

Substance abuse and mental health treatment are also available for youth as needed.

We have a weekly discussion and support group for youth who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning, and their allies. The group provides a safe place for youth to discuss issues about sexual identity and to express feelings, thoughts, needs, and concerns about any part of their lives.

Meets every Saturday from 3:00 to 4:30 pm at the Eon lounge.

Our Tutoring program offers both educational classes and one-on-one assistance. Volunteers can provide assistance with homework and coursework, standardized exams, college preparation and planning, and job skills like resume writing and interviewing.

Call The Lounge to set up a tutoring appointment or to find out about our current class offerings.

Leadership Development training workshops and annual leadership retreats are organized by and for Eon youth. These sessions are designed to promote skill development so that youth can be more actively involved in their communities.

We have frequent Social Activities such as Open Mic Night, Queer Prom, Club Eon (a monthly dance party), Movie Night, and Gender Bender Shows.

We offer support to LGBT homeless and near-homeless youth, including expanded drop-in hours at The Lounge, street outreach, referrals to social service agencies, the Support OurSelves (SOS) support group, and allocation of emergency funds.

Eon provides support to existing Gay/Straight Alliances (GSAs) and assist students in establishing new GSAs in their secondary schools. We also do presentations in classrooms and trainings with social service providers to educate them about LGBT issues.

Eon hosts a monthly Sex Chat, a discussion and informational group designed to educate around the topic of safer sex. We are also able to offer an "HIV/STD 101" workshop to interested youth-focused groups in the community.