LGBTQ + Spectrum of Findlay has hosted Findlay Pride over the last four years, on top of offering Queer Prom, support groups and “queermunity service.” Now, it’s shutting down – but it’s not leaving a void.
Columbus-based Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) is coming to Findlay next year to continue much of Spectrum’s LGBTQ+ programming. The statewide organization is the hub for Ohio Gender Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) and supports LGBTQ+ youth through providing safe spaces, programming and leadership opportunities.
While the specific details are still being hammered out – including the new location and transfer of resources – KYC Executive Director Erin Upchurch said the approach will be community-informed.
“For us, it’s important that we are being led and informed by the community, by youth specifically, about what the needs are in Northwest Ohio,” Upchurch said.
The move comes as LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay saw a huge increase in need but didn’t have the resources to meet it, said Spectrum Board President Jessica Grosso. For the past year, Spectrum has been fully staffed by volunteers since their executive director left, and didn’t have the ability to do a “full force press on fundraising.”
“We know that the need here in Northwest Ohio is really big, and we didn’t want Spectrum to close without having a plan in place,” she said. “We reached out to KYC down in Columbus and we quickly realized that they were the perfect organization to move into Findlay.”
Over a decade of growth
When Grosso moved to Findlay 13 years ago, she didn’t know that there was a queer community. Findlay Pride itself was only a few people to start, and Spectrum of Findlay just started the year before.
As the organization became more established Spectrum experienced exponential growth in 2019 and 2020. For the last four years, the nonprofit has been organizing Findlay Pride and its afterparty, which have boasted more than 4,000 attendees annually.
“There’s a lot of us here, and a lot of people that want to know that there’s other people here,” she said.
As the community learned more about the services available around two years ago, Spectrum’s board knew that the LGBTQ+ community’s demand was outpacing the organization’s volunteering abilities, Grosso said. They started to look into alternatives, but last year finally settled on finding another organization to take up services.
Grosso’s board looked into Kaleidoscope Youth Center first and knew they were the right choice. KYC’s programming mirrored much of what Spectrum was already offering, allowing KYC to fit in and possibly expand beyond what Spectrum could offer.
“We really noticed the needs of the community were expanding and evolving, and you can only do so much as a volunteer organization,” she said.
Keeping people in Northwest Ohio
Through listening to the needs of the local community, Upchurch said, KYC can provide workforce development – keeping people born in Northwest Ohio in Northwest Ohio.
“[Our goal is] to offer that holistic experience of affirmation and support and safer environments for the community,” she said. “The communities know when you invest in youth that truly is – as cliche as it sounds – that is the future of any community.”
Starting in January, Upchurch said, KYC staff will begin offering services for LGBTQ+ youth in Findlay and spending time getting to know the community and its culture.
“It’s such an exciting opportunity,” Upchurch said. “It’s like a new relationship. We’ve done the courting part, and now we’re just trying to date and figure out what this is going to look like longer term.” 🔥
Editor’s Note: The previous executive director of LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay is currently a board member of The Buckeye Flame. She was not involved in the story process.
IGNITE ACTION
Know an LGBTQ+ Ohio story we should cover? TELL US!
Submit a story!
