Are you ready to bloom with us?

Three leading SC LGBTQ+ organizations — Harriet Hancock Center, Uplift Outreach, and We Are Family — are joining forces to expand wellness services and hybrid programming for rural and BIPOC LGBTQ+ youth across the state through SC BLOOM (Building Leadership, Outreach, and Opportunities for Mobilization).

LGBTQ+ youth in the state face significant health disparities due to systemic discrimination and limited access to affirming care. Every LGBTQ+ young person deserves access to health and wellness resources, especially those most impacted by barriers to healthcare and higher rates of HIV. Through SC BLOOM, we’re working to close those gaps by scaling programs that center care, connection, and community across South Carolina.

SC BLOOM offers a powerful combination of four core program elements designed to support the health, connection, and leadership of LGBTQ+ youth across South Carolina: 1) a virtual Social Support Group for ages 16–24 to build friendships and access sexual health tools; 2) Summer Retreats—both in-person and virtual—for wellness, skill-building, and joy; 3) integrated Wellness Education focused on affirming care and HIV prevention; and 4) individualized Linkages to Care that connect youth to essential resources, case management, and community-based health services.

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  • Our new virtual social support group will serve as a space of care, refuge, and friendship for LGBTQ+ young people 16-24. Make friends and get access to sexual health education and other tools to shape your own life!

    Join us online biweekly, starting April 2025! Complete the intake form here by clicking here!!

  • We’re hosting two FREE wellness and leadership retreats for LGBTQ+ young people ages 16–24 across South Carolina— one virtual and one in-person— designed to build community, nurture well-being, and grow leadership.

    ✨ Virtual Retreat: June 30 – July 3
    🧳 In-Person Retreat in Columbia, SC: July 18 – 20

    Connect with other queer youth, explore your creativity, and engage in exciting activities while learning new skills. Whether you're making art, adventuring around Columbia, or tuning in from home, you’ll gain tools for leadership, social justice, and personal wellness.

    All costs are covered!

    • In-person participants receive free travel, lodging, and meals.

    • Virtual attendees will receive care packages, food gift cards, and other comforts.

    Spots are limited—apply today!

    🔗 Application Link

  • LGBTQ+ youth in the state face significant health disparities, often stemming from discrimination and limited access to affirming care. To address this, each partner organization will embed comprehensive sexual health and wellness education— including HIV prevention— into their ongoing programs and community events, ensuring that vital information and resources reach the young people who need them most.

  • Too often, LGBTQ+ community members face isolation from essential care and health services. To address this, all youth participating in our group programs will receive personalized case management and direct linkages to affirming care. We’ll also provide ongoing support and follow-up to ensure each young person can access the services they need—including, but not limited to, MHAP’s free short-term therapy, local affirming healthcare providers, and community-based health organizations, with a focus on HIV-related care.