Colors+ Youth Center posted a message on February 6 that they are moving out of their 3,500-square-foot brick-and-mortar location in Northeast Ohio’s Fairview Park, and will be hosting future programming at a local church, library and online.
In explaining the move, Colors+ cited that “nonprofit funding has decreased nationwide, creating significant financial challenges” and that “an increase in rent and the loss of designated operating funding made staying in our space unsustainable.”
“The grant that specifically covered a large portion of our rent was not renewed,” Colors+ President Colleen Cronin told The Buckeye Flame via email.
Colors+ was launched in 2018 to provide a safe in-person space where LGBTQ+ youth could feel welcomed, accepted and supported by a community of their peers.
In 2021, the organization received a $134,000 grant from Three Arches Foundation, a community grantmaking organization based in Lakewood, Ohio, to move from their 900-square-foot space in Fairview Park to a 3,500-square-foot space a few doors down.
The substantial increase in space resulted in a wealth of opportunities to host new programming, from drag story hours to Dungeons & Dragons campaigns.
But the increase in visibility also brought with it increased scrutiny and backlash, including substantial vandalism and threats from far-right, neo-fascist militant organizations.
Colors+ has been involved over the past year in litigation against Colors+ Counseling – a for-profit counseling agency created by the original founders of Colors+ Youth Center – for a variety of charges including trademark infringement and defamation. Current Colors+ leadership declined to answer whether the youth center’s funds are being depleted by the lawsuit.
Positive spin
Moving forward, programs such as Playtime+, Drag Storytime, Teen Game Night, Family Dinner & Game Night, Harmony+ and others will be held at Lakewood Congregational Church (LCC). Connections and Family Yoga will be held at the Fairview Park Branch Library.
The organization’s leadership said the closing of their brick-and-mortar location is the cause for excitement as it will give them “greater flexibility to pilot new programs, reach more families, and respond to community needs.”
“This shift allows us to expand our reach beyond one location, including long-requested programming on Cleveland’s East Side,” leadership said in the online announcement.
Rev. Joanna D’Agostino, senior pastor of LCC, said that the church has been affirming LGBTQ+ individuals for decades, and moving some Colors+ programming into the church’s space is a natural extension of the congregation.
“It’s a joy to put our beliefs into practice by providing safe spaces for LGBTQ+ groups and organizations who share our values, regardless of faith and religion,” D’Agostino said in a statement. “And we especially feel called to extend this welcome and this ministry to LGBTQ+ youth in our community and beyond.”
Colors+ leadership said that virtual Dungeons and Dragons will continue and that new virtual programs are in development, including a potential group for queer youth with chronic illness and/or disabilities. 🔥
Editor’s note: Ken Schneck is a former Board member of Colors+ Youth Center.
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- To learn more about Colors+ Youth Center and their programming, visit their website here.
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