Our Mission, Vision, & Values
Mission: We Are Family is South Carolina's oldest nonprofit that provides life-affirming and life-saving programs for LGBTQ+ young people that have a lasting and measurable impact, with a focus on those who are BIPOC and/or low-income.
Founded in 1995, we cultivate affirming statewide programs and community initiatives for SC's young people up to the age of 24 focused on: (1) leadership development and social support; (2) health and wellness; and (3) movement building and advocacy.
Our vision is that LGBTQ+ young people and allies feel empowered to find their places in their families, in their communities, and in the world.
Our Values:
We are change agents lifting voices and shifting culture by upholding these values:
1) Imagination: We believe imagination is creative resistance. We have the resilience to imagine a better world.
2) Celebration: We create Southern Queer Magic! We center the power of euphoria as we celebrate diverse expressions of identity and love.
3) Self-Determination: We uphold our community's autonomy, providing tools and resources for individuals to shape their lives according to their own vision.
4) Intersectional Justice: We act in solidarity to build equity and power across the multiple identities our communities hold. We deepen our impact by creating a collective space of care, refuge, and friendship.
5) Education of Self and Others: We pay tribute to our ancestors by nurturing curiosity on social justice, LGBTQ history, and avenues toward collective liberation.
Our History
Three Eras of WAF Executive Director Leadership (L - R): Domenico Ruggerio, Jeo Richardson, Mel Moore
SINCE 1995
We Are Family began in April 1995 under the direction of Tom Myers (1940-2016), the father of a gay son. Tom recognized the need for support for LGBTQ+ youth, and WAF was born from the love of a father for his son. WAF initially focused on the use of direct mail to provide constructive information to people and community leaders that LGBTQ+ young people would normally seek out for counsel and support. The staff sought out speaking engagements whenever possible, at churches and other public places to spread a message of understanding and acceptance. In early 1997, WAF began to offer direct services (SafeSpace) to LGBTQ+ youth in the Charleston Tri-County area through a weekly peer support group.
Since then, WAF has responded to the needs of LGBTQ+ young people to create safer and supportive spaces, growing in both scope and reach. Our statewide core projects consist of a Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) support and coalition-building program; our Mental Health Assistance Program, which includes free and affirming short-term therapy for LGBTQ+ youth, social support groups for LGBTQ+ young people, a peer discussion group for parents/guardians of LGBTQ+ youth, and two therapeutic groups; grassroots community organizing for and by LGBTQ+ young people; an evidence-based cultural competency training program called LGBTeach; a microgrant program for trans and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals called the Trans Love Fund; and a social enterprise called Closet Case Thrift Store, through which we offer gender-affirming products to TGNC young people at no cost.
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The community I’ve found through WAF has been a sanctuary for me. It’s a place where I can be myself, grow, and dream about the future without fear.
Jamie, 15
