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Topic: LGBTQ youth drop-in center in HoustonFounded: 2016Hours: Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm; Drop-in noon–2pmSource: Houston civic article on Tony's PlaceReading time: About 1 minute
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Good first step: Share Anyone who knows an LGBTQ young person who needs help
Hey, did you know Houston has a free drop-in center for LGBTQ youth? It's called Tony's Place. They offer meals, showers, and support Monday through Friday.
Tony's Place is a Houston drop-in center built for LGBTQ youth who are homeless or unstably housed. It offers hot meals, showers, laundry, case management, and daily group programs — all in a space where young people can simply be themselves. Executive Director Carrie Rai leads the center alongside Program Manager Alyssa Kelly and Engagement Manager Giana Ramirez.
Tony's Place opened in 2016 and is named in honor of community advocate Robert Anthony 'Tony' Carroll. The center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop-in services — including hot meals, showers, and laundry — run noon to 2 p.m. daily. Case managers are available for one-on-one appointments, and group programs happen every day the center is open. The center also runs Craft Your Pride, an arts program that helps youth build confidence and earn money by creating and selling their own artwork.
If you or someone you know is an LGBTQ young person dealing with housing instability in Houston, Tony's Place is a real option. You can walk in during drop-in hours for a meal, a shower, or just a safe place to sit. You can also connect with a case manager for more personalized support. If you want to help the center keep growing, consider reaching out about volunteering, donating, or forming a community partnership.
No fixed date
Not location-specific
Tony's Place works alongside community partners who bring resources directly to youth in a safe, affirming setting. If you work in social services, healthcare, housing, or the arts in Houston, there may be a way to collaborate. The center actively seeks partners so young people do not have to seek help in places where they might not feel welcome.
LGBTQ youth facing housing instability often struggle to find places that feel safe and affirming. Tony's Place fills that gap. It gives young people a chance to breathe, build confidence, and connect with real support — without judgment. As the team puts it, the center is not just a service provider. It is a family.
