About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
In the heart of Southwest Riverside County –Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, & Lake Elsinore, Emily's Space has become a beacon of hope shines brightly for LGBTQIA+ youth. This non-profit organization is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for Middle School and High School age students who identify as LGBTQIA+ and their allies. Each event has supervision from adults that have been fingerprinted, background checked, and given mandated reporter training.
Our Story
Empowering Communities
Former LA police officer DeeDee Lewis & Pastor Joe Zarro came together in hope of providing an informative, safe & social place for our LGBTQ youth in the Temecula/Murrieta Valley, so in the end of 2012 they created the “Drop-In Center”.
Around 2015 Emily Blake, a community talented artist, tragically passed away. It was with Emily’s passing, her partner Meghan and members of the community wanted to honor her in some way…thus Emily’s House was born. The “drop-in center”…transformed into a resource center or the LGBTQ community based out of United Church of the Valley.
Given the current need for a safe gathering place for the LGBTQIA+ youth, in 2023, a group of concerned adult volunteers reached out to local GSA's and breathed new life into the organization.
To not confuse the organization for a source of housing or a church youth group, the Board agreed to change the name to Emily’s Space, a separate, secular entity. The current group gathers weekly for adult supervised gathering space for queer and allied middle schooler and high schoolers.
