The City of West Hollywood is a co-sponsor of the C.I.T.Y. x1 Youth Group’s 2023 “Big Feast” pre-Thanksgiving dinner and community events throughout the month of November. C.I.T.Y. x1 (Community Intervention Through Youth) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to organizing free social events for at-risk and homeless LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 14-24.
As part of its mission, C.I.T.Y. x1 is committed to connecting LGBTQ+ homeless youth to life-changing social services including GED tutoring and job training, transitional housing assistance, medical care and health services, support groups, and food assistance. Since its formation in 2005, C.I.T.Y. x1 has serviced more than 7,500 youth through its collaborative partnerships with local service providers, nonprofit organizations, and local municipalities such as the City of West Hollywood.
This year’s C.I.T.Y. x1 November festivities will run from Sunday, November 19, 2023, through Wednesday, November 22, 2023. C.I.T.Y. x1 will host two meal distributions; the first is scheduled for Monday, November 20, 2023, and the second is scheduled for Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at QQ Café, located at 830 San Julian Street in the City of Los Angeles.
The pre-Thanksgiving Dinner is open to youth ages 14-24 and will take place on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 22, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at QQ Café, located at 830 San Julian Street in the City of Los Angeles. More information is available at www.cityx1.org.
In 2009, the City of West Hollywood began partnering with C.I.T.Y. x1 to provide co-sponsorship for its pre-Thanksgiving community events and dinners. Through the years, people in the West Hollywood community and members of the former LGBTQ+ Advisory Board/Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board (now LGBTQ+ Commission) have supported and volunteered at these holiday events with food and meal distribution.
For more than 15 years, C.I.T.Y x1 has remained steadfast in its mission to provide a safe space where youth can access much-needed services and interact with their community and allies. All C.I.T.Y x1 events are alcohol and tobacco-free and are intended to serve as an alternative to the club scene and event organizers anticipate that several LGBTQ+ youth from West Hollywood will attend events.
In 2019, C.I.T.Y x1 held in-person events where approximately 300 meals were served, and events were resumed as in-person in 2022. In 2020 and 2021, the C.I.T.Y x1 events were modified to drop-off only due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings. Despite modifications, more than 500 meals were delivered to people.
