May/June Change for Charity Partner: Kaleidoscope Youth Center

Dedicated to the safety and empowerment of Central Ohio’s LGBTQ+ youth, Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) creates safe spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and ally youth ages 12-20 through advocacy, education, support, and community engagement.

KYC offers programming that supports youth who are struggling with identity issues, family discord, and mental health problems, In addition, the center educates youth and the community about LGBTQ+ issues and advocates for safe and inclusive spaces throughout the community.

Drop-In Center

KYC’s Drop-In Center offers free daily programming, like discussion groups, art classes, social activities, and more. Discussion groups give LGBTQ+ youth the opportunity to connect with peers and find mentorship opportunities through affinity-based groups. Programming at the Center falls into five key areas including, social and behavioral health, holistic health and wellness, life-skills development, identity affirmation and community building, and leadership development, empowerment, and advocacy.

Virtual Programming

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, KYC had to move most of its programming online. Though traditional programming has resumed, virtual programming continues, as it allows the KYC community to reach LGBTQ+ youth across the country.

Community-Based Wellness

KYC recently expanded its services to help combat risk factors that lead to homelessness and housing insecurity, primarily among queer youth. The Rapid Re-housing services, funded through the Ohio Attorney General’s Victims of Crime Act, helps young people prevent or quickly exit homelessness and enter into safe, stable housing. The Supportive Co-Housing services are offered in KYC’s Carriage House, providing a supportive, intentional living space designed to meet the needs of homeless or housing insecure young people.

Education and Training

KYC offers a variety of training, workshops, and consultations to help make your business, organization, school, or other group, a safer and more affirming space for LGBTQ+ people. The organization also works closely with youth-serving professionals, including providing training for teachers, school administrators, and social workers.

You can support KYC in many ways.

Dollars from Change for Charity will be directed towards our general mental health & wellness programs and services, free individual and group therapy sessions, drop-in center activities centered on wellness, and other positive youth development programs.

“It’s wonderful to partner with the Easton Community Foundation in this way, and to have community support through Change for Charity that will have a tremendous, and positive, impact on the youth we serve,” said Jen Kuhn, Director of External Partnerships and Community Relations.

You can support KYC’s important work by parking at one of the Change for Charity parking meters here at Easton, paying an Easton parking ticket, or making a donation directly to the organization. There are also many other ways you can directly support the organization without making a monetary donation.

Short-Term Parking. Long-Term Impact.   

Easton’s Change for Charity Program designates a new organization every two months to receive a portion of the meter proceeds and ticket revenue generated at Easton, allowing us to donate over $2 million to over 85 organizations across Central Ohio. View our list of past recipients here.