Fiesta Youth is South Texas premier LGBTQ organization for youth and their allies for ages 12-18.
Started in September 2013 by a mother and a group of LGBTQ professionals in the community looking to create a support program for LGBTQ youth in the 7th largest city in the United States.
“When the doors were opened, we didn’t know what to expect. We started with 10 youth.” said Darrell Parsons, one of the founders of Fiesta Youth.
Now almost seven years later Fiesta Youth has helped support hundreds of youth not only in San Antonio but throughout South Texas.
Fiesta Youth offers educational and enrichment activities designed to help youth build a sense of community through friendship and peer connection. Their weekly programming may consist of multiple activities that include special guests from artists, authors, actors, politicians, as well as creative activities with arts and crafts, and one of our most popular “Open Mic Night” that allows our youth to express themselves freely in the creative arts they enjoy.
In addition, we also provide parent/caregiver programming bi-weekly to support the families of our youth.
Fiesta Youth does host many special events throughout the year in the community. Some of these include “Dream Week “one of the largest community networking events with over 40 non-profits annually, also the yearly NOH8 Campaign photo shoots, and they host the largest LGBTQ prom in South Texas.
In addition, Fiesta Youth has participated in many events with our community partners such as San Antonio Public Libraries, YMCA of Greater San Antonio, and Pride San Antonio.
Each year one of their proudest events is to provide college scholarships to their youth. Over the years they have awarded $17,000 in scholarships and this year we are awarding $8000.00 more to eight incredible and well deserved youth that will continue their education success with colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Fiesta Youth‘s mission is to provide a safe, non-judgmental, affirming place for LGBTQ young people to express and explore who they are through education, peer-support, advocacy, and friendship. They hope to empower youth to build a future where ALL people are accepted and loved as they are so they may become successful and contributing members of the community. Later this summer Fiesta Youth will be opening a sister location in Corpus Christi, Texas.
If you are interested in learning more about Fiesta Youth or want to make a donation please visit their website at www.fiesta-youth.org.