Our Mission

JQY is a mental health organization that empowers Jewish queer teens and young adults to live healthy, joyful lives. Our work is grounded in our deep understanding of Jewish tradition and mental health best practices, enabling us to provide critical services and programs for at-risk youth from historically non-accepting communities. We save and improve lives by connecting youth to one another, to providers and relevant resources, and to opportunities to see themselves and their futures. 

At JQY, we equip at-risk LGBTQ Jewish youth from historically non-accepting communities to live healthy, joyful lives by creating a place where they can belong as their whole selves, providing the emotional and mental health support they need, and enabling them to see themselves and their futures. 

We do this by providing mental health services and supports for Jewish youth who are queer or seeking to learn more about themselves, offering them healing and preventative care while building resilience. We also offer care and resource referrals to ensure they have the tools they need to make informed decisions about their own lives and the ability to see themselves and future possibilities. When necessary, we advocate on their behalf when they need an adult in their corner and educate care providers, families, educators and communal leaders about the specific needs of these teens and young adults.