Teen Programming

The UDTJ Community Center was founded to create safe, inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth to thrive.

-

Our Teen programs are open to anyone ages 14 - 18 years old.

Sign Up Here 
Our approach:

Teens deserve a space where they can show up fully as themselves, connect, and see their LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC identities affirmed and uplifted.

Above all, our programming is designed to empower young people to succeed educationally, mentally, and most importantly, as people who are loved and valued.

Current Programs

Mural Arts Project

Workshops & Projects

The Mural Arts Project allows teens to acquire the skills necessary to create murals, engage with their communities, and connect with one another through public art.

Community Service Project 

Civic Engagement

The Community Service Project provides teens with structured volunteer opportunities, develop leadership skills, and form friendships with the peers in their community.

Bright Futures Program

Finding Your Way in Higher Education

The Bright Futures Program is designed to help LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC teens navigate higher education, from the college admissions process to campus culture shock and peer pressure.

Teen Socials

Hang Out & Make friends

Teen Socials are relaxed spaces where teens can make friends and vibe out. From Arts & Crafts to Dungeons & Dragons, these events are safe spaces that allow teens to just be themselves.

Meet the

Youth Director

Jack Roney moved from Jonesborough, Tennessee to Delaware County in 2021 to pursue his BA in Architecture & Fine Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. A first-generation college graduate and QuestBridge Scholar, Jack graduated in 2025 as a recipient of the President's Engagement Prize.

Jack first got involved with UDTJ in late 2023 through its mural arts program, where he served as assistant program coordinator and lead artist on Upper Darby's Fire Tower 37 Mural, and has since served as the official photographer for DelCo Pride and other UDTJ events.

A strong proponent for equitable access to the arts, Jack is the co-founder and Director of Operations for the LensBright Initiative, where he coordinates after-school arts education programming in photography, film, and animation. He has served as a mentor and art educator to youth across West Philadelphia and Eastern Delaware County since 2023.

As a gay man who grew up in rural Appalachia, Jack knows firsthand how vital it is to have spaces where young people can show up fully as themselves. He is passionate about developing the spaces, guidance, and creative opportunities he wished he'd had growing up.

Artist, photographer, and educator, Jack serves as UDTJ's Youth Director, where he continues his work of empowering all of the voices of tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • UDTJ occasionally offers “All-Ages” or “Family Friendly” programming open to everyone, including kids under 14 years old.

    Any child under 14 years old participating in “All-Ages” programming must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the program or event.