Youth Development Programs offered by Asian Counseling and Referral Service

Queer Opportunities to Lead Organize and Reflect (QOLOR) Our QOLOR program provides safe spaces for discussion and creative activities that are focused on positive identity, community, and leadership development to LGBTQIA+ Youth of Color and their allies. Youth also learn about healthy views on interpersonal relationships, reducing gender-based violence and other risky behaviors such as substance use. Lotus Circle Our Lotus Circle program promotes sisterhood among femme-identifying Asian Middle School students, focusing on healthy relationships, cultural/generational intersectionality, peer connection, traditional gender roles and positive identity development. These programs often serve as a key gateway for youth to access additional services with support from bilingual, bicultural staff who share similar lived experiences. In-person groups are held in community-based and safe locations, whether it is the ACRS youth room, at school, and on field trips. Group sessions include educational topics, discussion and how to practice skills, processing situations in their lives. Through discussion topics and practice, youth learn about social intelligence, communication skills with their parents and friends, setting healthy boundaries, and how to advocate for themselves and their community. Activities embrace cultural identity and place value in the history of our ancestors.