Together, we rise.

WHO IS U.D.T.J.

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DelCo’s BIPOC, LGBTQQIA+, and youth Center!

“We become the resources we wish we had growing up.”

The U.D.T.J. Community Center, opened in February of 2024, serves as a vital hub for BIPOC, LGBTQ, youth, and community members in throughout Delaware County. Located at the crossroads of nearly all suburban public transit routes, the center is dedicated to providing year-round support, the center bridges critical gaps in resources, offering a lifeline for marginalized people in the region.

The center’s mission focuses on addressing the unique challenges faced by marginalized youth. Its services include connecting individuals to mental health, recovery, and housing resources, along with hosting events like "Serving Delco Day," where partner organizations provide free services. Upcoming programs further aim to expand support and engagement with the community.

The center also champions the intersectionality of its mission, recognizing that the needs of BIPOC and LGBTQ youth often overlap. Core services address essential areas such as housing, peer support, and building a sense of community, helping to combat social isolation and improve mental health.

The U.D.T.J. Community Center stands as a beacon of support and advocacy, creating opportunities for BIPOC, LGBTQ, youth and everyone to access resources, build community, and find hope.

Our Values

The Building Blocks of Progress

 

Understanding.

It all begins with a complete understanding of privilege, discrimination, and inequality, in America. Without an accurate understanding of the realities of being Black, a person of color, LGBTQQIA+, or a marginalized community member we will not be able to progress.

Systemic discrimination is real. The solution begins with acknowledging one’s privilege, listening to learn, assuming best intent, and building understanding between diverse background for effective communication and progress.

Devotion.

Devotion is the key to a sustained and effective social movement. Hearts and minds are not changed over night and unless we are devoted to the cause of equity and ending systemic racism and discrimination we will not succeed. Patience and strategic planning lead to long-term change.

Devotion does not mean simply time and energy but that one’s heart seeks the truth, the good, and takes the fight for equality and equity into every aspect of one’s life.

Take Action.

Getting off the couch is the most important building block necessary for progress. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability.” From this, we will do our part in helping move human progress forward.

Taking action isn’t simply just physical or verbal, but emotional. Organizing and activism is a lifestyle built on self-sacrifice and self care.

 

Justice.

Justice is the ultimate goal. For when all are equal in society, it will be just. Only the end of systemic and societal discrimination and inequity, and the constant preservation of a new status quo, can each individual live in peace and prosperity.

The killing of BIPOC and LGBTQQIA+ without consequence declares that their lives do not matter.

Community driven approach.

National organizations and governments have failed to meet the unique needs of local communities here in Delaware County and the surrounding area. Consequently, we focus on community building solutions to create lasting change for future generations.

Our work believes in the prioritization of the individual and community over a nationwide approach.

Intersectional strategy.

As the famous quote reads, “Injustice anywhere, is injustice everywhere.” The movement for justice transcends identities, communities, and boundaries. United in a coalition, we collectively safeguard equality and equity for each other from the Black community to LGBTQQIA+ community, reproductive rights to climate change, people of color and indigenous communities, and those in rural, suburban, to urban areas.

 

Meet the Board of U.D.T.J.

The Origin of U.D.T.J.

U.D.T.J. was founded on issues regarding systemic racism and police brutality. Although our initiatives have significantly expanded we continue our work fighting for justice and equality for all.