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The Social Activities Program aims to provide a safe, supportive, and supervised event for youth to come together, build friendships, and participate in social activities with other LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-18. Click here to view upcoming programming!

Latest News


108, 2023

Safe Space NOVA 2023 Q3 Newsletter

Greetings! Summer is whipping by, and now we are almost into fall. With that, Pride Month has passed. It was [...]

2004, 2023

Safe Space NOVA 2023 Q2 Newsletter

Greetings! We are excited to participate once again in this year's Spring2ACTion campaign, and we need your help to reach [...]

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We look forward to an opportunity to work with like-minded individuals and organizations. If you are interested in volunteering with the Safe Space NOVA team at an event or program, contact us so we can connect!

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Why Safe Space NOVA?

“Starting a non-profit for kids has been something on my heart for years. I’ve always worked with kids, whether tutoring or mentoring. In early 2016, I started to develop the idea of Safe Space NOVA to target the LGBTQ+ community and I’m looking forward to the work we are about to do.”

Founder/Executive Director – Jordan Costen-Sumpter

“Growing up in New York City, I saw firsthand social stigmas, drug abuse among friends, depression, and the list goes on. There were some organizations like Safe Space NOVA, but they couldn’t meet the needs of all those facing these challenges. We need more organizations like Safe Space to spring up in communities. It’s my hope to have chapters of this organization across the country.”

Safe Space NOVA Board Member – Charles Costen-Sumpter

“Places like Safe Space NOVA are pillars in our community to foster the needs of young LGBTQ people, it is important that organizations like this are around, if it was for places like the GLCC which Safe Space NOVA is equivalent to I wouldn’t be the man I am today. I am more confident, more eager & more ground in my roots as a person. These days it is easier to be accepted for who you are, easier does not mean everyone will do it, it’s just more common & as a result of that commonality we have more ways to push our community into better spaces, and safe space nova is that space. When I have kids, they’ll know that spaces like this exist and that we are all here to help.”
Daylan Stubblefield, Safe Space NOVA Supporter
“Organizations like Safe Space NOVA are spaces I wish I had in my youth. While I kept myself out of deep depression, many suffer from the lack of support in their communities. They lack a safe space to be themselves. Safe Space NOVA is the haven that I wish I had as a child.”
William Wanzer, Safe Space NOVA Supporter
“Safe Space is very important, because it gives our LGBT+ youth community a chance to socialize and identify with others like themselves. And that doesn’t just mean where you fall on the spectrum, as I honestly don’t feel that’s as important as it is to realize that we are one big community full of all kinds of people in and of itself. We all have walked different paths than the cisgender/heterosexual community, but I still think that you need to learn about interpersonal relationships within your own community and how to build those relationships at an early age.”
Chris Kuchnicki, Safe Space NOVA Supporter
“It’s paramount. Not every LGBTQ+ youth feels safe being out at school and others who may not have found friends who are also within the Community. This can be isolating and stigmatizing for anyone. Pride events which provide access to others who resemble them is instantly welcoming and results in immediate validation and affirmation. “I’m not alone. There’s nothing wrong with me.” It’s empowering, but shouldn’t be a once or twice a year event through things like Pride Festivals and Pride Prom. It needs to be a regular occurrence so that youth aren’t left feeling the ‘up’ of an event followed by the ‘down’ of waiting long periods for another. Safe Space allows kids to be kids in an environment where those around them just get what they are experiencing in a way non-Community members just don’t.”
Manager, Safe Space NOVA Social Activities & Social Support – Amy Cannava
“Safe Space NOVA is very important to our community, especially at the early stages of getting to know yourself, this is the age that we need it the most. In our youth is when we need the most support possible. We need mentors, educators, support, guidance, etc. Safe Space NOVA can provide that and allow youth to see that they are not alone, there is a community for us, a space for us, a sense of belonging.”
Gabriel Sanchez, Safe Space NOVA Supporter

Safe Space NOVA is dedicated to providing a safe, accepting, and supportive environment to combat social stigmas, bullying, and other challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth.

According to the latest study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), LGBTQ+ youth are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, suicide attempts, and suicide. In addition, LGBTQ+ youth were more likely than heterosexual youth to report high levels of bullying and substance abuse. The goal of Safe Space is to protect our youth from these perils by providing a positive environment and welcoming staff that embrace, uplift, and encourage them. Our ultimate goal is to ensure 14–18 year olds in the Northern Virginia area have access to an organization and activities that promote equality.

High School Students:
14-18 years old

Service Area:
Northern Virginia

  • 26% of LGBT youth say their biggest problems are not feeling accepted by their family, trouble at school/bullying, and fear of being out/open. (Source: HRC)
  • 34.2% of LGB students reported being bullied on school property (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Survey)
  • 42.8% LGB students had seriously considered attempting suicide during the 12 months before the survey (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Survey)
  • LGBTQ students reported feeling less safe at school, and were more than twice as likely to have missed school because they felt unsafe or uncomfortable (36.6% of LGBTQ students vs. 14.7% of non-LGBTQ students) (Source: GLSEN)
  • 29.4% of LGB students had attempted suicide one or more times during the 12 months before the survey (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Survey)

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