Youth Experiences

Rebekah Balmer

Salem Cobalt

Rebekah started attending Common Roads when she was 16 years old. It was the first time that she experienced having friends and being around others that were queer. Common Roads was an integral part of Rebekah's adolescence, and without it she would not be as comfortable with herself as she is today.

For Salem, Common Roads provided him with the safe space and a support network when he needed it the most.

Kelly Shook

Kelly Shook is from Orange County, CA and went to University of California, Santa Cruz. They came to Common Roads in 2003 as part of a 6-month internship program for their undergraduate degree, which had a focus on LGBTQ+ youth. Kelly had no goals personally when they started, but they were interested in getting perspective of life in Central PA, which was drastically different from CA.

Kelly was involved in all aspects of programing, and for their senior project, created a documentary focusing on Common Roads and it’s impacts on LGBTQ+ youth in Central PA. Even though Kelly was not officially part of Common Roads as a member, the group still had a significant impact on their life.

Today, Kelly works for Sony Media as a Digital Assets Manager and is involved with their LGBTQ+ group. They have also worked in the mentorship program Outset, a fellowship that gives youth the opportunity to learn about the film industry and how to make a film from start to finish.