Francisco Walker (known to youth as Frankie) is the founder of the Youth Pride Center (YPC), a new LGBT youth organization located in downtown Chicago. YPC was originally known as Chicago Gay Youth or CGY back in 2003 and just recently made the transition to a not-for-profit agency. Today YPC serves over 150 LGBT and/or homeless youth a month and has a staff/volunteer contingent of 40.
YPC is home to some unique events/activities such as the ‘Curiosity Youth Jam’ (a monthly dance for youth under 21), ‘Gay Spring Break Chicago’ (a week-long festival) and ‘Let’s Talk About Sex’ a popular open forum where youth get to ask any questions they want. Future plans include YPC University, a gay school specializing in trade and vocational careers for LGBT youth and young adults, and YPC Entertainment, a multimedia facility.
DID YOU KNOW? Frank actually got his start working with LGBT youths at Horizons, now known as Center on Halsted.