In a political climate that has increasingly targeted LGBTQ+ people—and young people in particular—the work of simply showing up, holding space, and saying you belong here has never been more urgent. We Are Family does exactly that, and has been doing it longer than any other organization in South Carolina.
Founded in Charleston, We Are Family is the state’s oldest nonprofit dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ young people. Their mission is grounded in a straightforward but powerful conviction: every young person deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported—regardless of who they are or who they love. Through a wide range of free services and programs, they walk alongside LGBTQ+ youth up to age 24, not just helping them navigate difficult circumstances, but empowering them to lead.
The scope of their work is remarkable.
We Are Family provides free mental health services at a time when LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionately high rates of anxiety, depression, and crisis. They distribute gender-affirming gear—items that can be profoundly significant for a young person whose home environment may not be safe or affirming. They run support groups where young people find community with others who understand their experiences. And they host events that have become beloved institutions in their own right: an annual queer prom and a youth festival that give LGBTQ+ young people the celebrations and milestones that straight and cisgender peers often take for granted.
Their reach extends far beyond Charleston.
Across South Carolina, We Are Family supports Gender & Sexuality Alliances—school-based clubs that provide safe harbor for LGBTQ+ students—and works with educators, administrators, and organizations to create more inclusive environments. They offer training and education that help institutions move beyond tolerance toward genuine welcome. Even their thrift store is part of the mission, generating revenue that flows directly back into their programs.
What makes We Are Family’s model so compelling is its integration of immediate, tangible support with long-term, systemic change. A teenager who walks through their door may be in crisis today. Tomorrow, through leadership development, advocacy training, and community-building, that same young person may be the one holding the door open for someone else. We Are Family understands that survival is not the ceiling—it is the floor. The real goal is a generation of LGBTQ+ young people who don’t just endure, but lead.
In a state where that work is harder than it should be, We Are Family shows up anyway, year after year, with consistency and care.
We are proud to highlight We Are Family as our Q2 2026 Charity of the Quarter and invite you to join us in sustaining their work. Your contribution—whatever its size—helps ensure that a young person somewhere in South Carolina hears what they may not be hearing anywhere else: that they are valued, they are not alone, and they have a community that will not let them go.
Thank you, as always, for your generosity and for helping us put our values into action—one quarter, one cause, and one young life at a time.