As a group participant, Justen Perez is best know for his dynamic performance as Britney Spears in our first public drag show and as one of our original youth leaders.
 
Most recently, he was seen in the video introducing the newly renamed Youth Outlook to the community.
 
Justen became a regular attendee in 2001.  "I think every time I went there, someone shared a story or opened themselves up - for me, that fed my soul" Justen said.  "I learned that people come in all shapes, sizes, colors, orientations.  We are all different and in that difference we are perfectly all the same."  
 
"It saved me from a really dark place" Justen explained.  "The positivity and self-help from the group lifted me from suicidal thoughts and gave my life a purpose.  If it had not been for the guidance, love, sharing, caring, compassion, education, life skills I received from attending and being active at group, my life would have ended far too quickly.  It saved me.  It was a safe place far away from drugs, alcohol and other influences.  In an environment like that, kids really have a chance to learn how to be themselves."   

In 2002, Justen was one of five youth to become involved in the newly launched Youth Leader program. About that experience, he said "I enjoyed being a Youth Leader because it forced me to live outside of my comfort zone.  I was able to help others through their struggles while simultaneously working through my own.  The social, networking and leadership skills I gained here help me in every aspect of my adult life.  You think that you are giving to others when actually it's a gift to yourself!" Justen said.    
 
"I've made life long friendships and to this day I still run into people from group or have them randomly message me online" Justen said.  "I wish there were centers like Youth Outlook in every state.  That way, youth would have a place to call their own and adults would have places to give service and help out.  There were sides to the adults that I never got to see, but what I did see was love, compassion and joy... and that radiated out for everyone to enjoy."   
 
Today, Justen lives close to Boystown and is about to graduate from the IL Institute of Art - Chicago where he has majored in Fashion Marketing and Management.  He has recently auditioned for a new fashion reality show on MTV.  In it, contestants create and brand fashion lines for entertainment moguls.  "I've made it past the Chicago round and find out in January if I made it onto the show."  For those of us fortunate enough to have spent time with Justen, we already know he's a star.   
 
Photo by Patrick Randall Photography