KALEIDOSCOPE YOUTH CENTER INC

KYC's goal is to build resiliency in LGBTQIA+ youth ages 12-24 in central Ohio through the Kaleidoscope Youth Center. KYC intends to advocate for safe and empowering spaces for LGBTQIA+ students in school as well as for LGBTQIA+ youth in all spaces across Ohio. Additionally, through new housing and case management services, KYC will meet the urgent needs of LGBTQIA+ youth, and serve as a tool for the prevention of homelessness and subsequent crises. Housing program participants will be supported to build and strengthen self-reliance and life skills; and will benefit from positive peer and mentoring relationships which will offer them access to resource and resiliency.

Serving near 500 unique youth each year in our Center, KYC provides opportunities for positive peer group interaction fro all youth involved in our programs, which include: art, cooking & jewelry clubs, movement classes, discussion groups, summer activities, field trips, and so much more. These programs, generally run in conjunction with adult staff or volunteers also allows youth interactions with caring adults and mentors. Affinity groups such as Genderscope, for trans and gender-nonconforming youth, or QPOC, for queer and trans youth of color, also helps build a strong sense of self and enhance self-esteem in youth participants.

KYC also provides support and programming to increase safety in schools through work with the GSA Network. Currently serving 94 schools throughout Ohio, Genders and Sexualities Alliance clubs in middle and high schools provide LGBTQ students a safe space and provide leadership opportunities in developing events in their community. GSA members are encouraged to participate in the Youth Leadership Council, where youth are provided additional opportunities to make them stronger, more effective leaders. Council members are provided a formal space to discuss challenges facing their GSA and the ability to work with other LGBTQ and ally students to plan and implement events such as the Ohio GSA Summit.

Lastly, KYC provides training to youth-serving professionals to help individuals learn basic terminology, LGBTQ experience, risk factors, how to promote success, and how to create safe and affirming environments and services. Trainings are tailored to the audience and additional resources are provided. KYC also advocates for individual youth within the school, and other settings, by request.

Finally, through our expansion into housing, young adults 18 - 24 will be relieved of their experiences of homelessness or insecure/vulnerable housing; with the longer term goal of securing and maintaining independent housing opportunities. Measurement of the latter will include quarterly follow up and aftercare for the first year of post program participation. Others tools will include pre and post-tests with regard to self-efficacy and wellness; as well as concrete measurements of obtaining and maintaining employment; financial literacy, independence, and sustainability; educational performance and outcomes; civic engagement and community connections; and independent living and life skills.

KYC has many sources of support in reaching our goals. We are fully staffed with seven full-time staff and two part-time staff member. Program staff includes managers with educational and social work backgrounds, and licensed social workers on staff. Our Board of Director's is also made up of strong professionals in their respective fields, dedicating their time to KYC's mission. We also have strong ties and partnerships with other organizations and companies in the community that assist in our programming, including Nationwide Children's Hospital, Huckleberry House, and Equitas Health.

Through our youth surveys we have been able to demonstrate the impact of our programming. An astounding 95% of youth participants surveyed indicated they have an improved sense of general well-being while attending KYC. Additionally, 80% of youth surveyed said they have a positive relationship with an adult through or at KYC, and the same number indicated they became more connected with their peers in the community during their time at KYC. We hope to continue to sustain these numbers as the number of youth participants increase. We will also continue to expand our services and advocacy efforts within the schools and support youth and school administrations as it relates to LGBTQ issues.