A program serving LGBTQ youth in Greenwich Village offers free resources to its members, many of whom have experienced homelessness.

For Jeffrey Blanchard, the “Art & Acceptance” program is the first place he felt accepted.

“This is a place where you can come and see all your friends and catch up and get something to eat or some clothes,” said Blanchard. “Or if you’re having any sort of problems, there’s a lot of people here who can help you.”

It’s not just emotional support that the “Art & Acceptance” program provides. When he moved to the city nearly a decade ago, Blanchard was homeless for five years.

“Art & Acceptance” helped him secure a home. The program provides its members with free legal resources. Volunteer lawyers were able to advocate on Blanchard’s behalf.

“I got my housing through supportive housing,” said Blanchard. “When you’re homeless for a long time, it takes a toll on your mental health, so that’s how I got mine.”

“Art & Acceptance” serves LGBTQ individuals ages 18 to 29 meeting at St. Luke in the Fields Church once a week. Neighbors, parishioners and supporters donate clothes, toiletries and funding for food and art supplies.

Bailyn Bennett comes to “Art & Acceptance” every week to pick up new outfits and toiletries. He says it’s a place for him to relax and find inner peace.

“I like to come here and get a lot of that anger off my chest and realize that society is not guided by anger, it’s guided by your heart,” said Bennett. “And this place is the heart and soul of New York.”

It’s a feeling shared by Jill Twohig who has been the program’s director for four years.

“It is absolutely the best part of my week,” said Twohig. She believes providing a space for LGBTQ youth to feel safe is paramount.

“These are folks who are mostly marginalized and have been pushed aside and they come here, and they are accepted,” said Twohig.

Although this program runs all year, Twohig says Pride month is particularly special because it’s a time to reflect on the progress that’s been made in the LGBTQ community, while also highlighting the barriers that still need to be broken.

“We’re looking forward to the day where we don’t need pride, where it doesn’t need to exist, where it doesn’t need to be a separate thing,” said Twohig. “Where people can just be.”

For Blanchard, “Art & Acceptance” is where he can just be, surrounded by his chosen family.

“We all stick together,” said Blanchard. “We’ve all been through some kind of situation together. We’re all like one big family.”

“Art & Acceptance” currently sees 30 guests per week and has served hundreds of LGBTQ individuals over the last 20 years. The program is always looking for volunteers, lawyers and medical staff. For more information log on to stlukeinthefields.org