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Making Connections Where They Matter Kaleidoscope Youth Center’s new housing programs focus on centering the needs of homeless or housing insecure LGBTQIA+ youth in central Ohio. By Kaylee Duff The Kaleidoscope Youth Center.
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his year, Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) is celebrating 25 years of serving and supporting LGBTQIA+ youth in the central Ohio community. Since 1994, they have been providing LGBTQIA+ youth with programming that focuses on “building resiliency and reducing risk factors through belonging and building community.” KYC, which is located on Town Street in downtown Columbus, welcomes drop-in visits during their business hours (Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Fridays from 3:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.). Youth can visit, hang out and connect with other youth in spaces such as the Tom W. Davis Family Room, Creative Arts Room, Library, Game Room, David Bohnett Cyber Center and KYC Cafe. One of KYC’s most popular programs is Genderscope, which offers a safe and affirming place for trans, gender non-conforming and queer youth to come together, discuss issues and gain support. Kaleidoscope Youth Center is also the hub for the Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) Network in Ohio; providing support, technical assistance, and training throughout the state. In 2019, KYC is celebrating their 25th anniversary by expanding their programming to even better serve the local LGBTQIA+ youth. Kaleidoscope Connections will provide access to resources and services for homeless and housing insecure or vulnerable young people (ages 16-24). Connections is a “trauma informed and culturally responsive community-based approach to quickly identify and link individuals to services and other critical supports,” explains Erin Upchurch, MSW, LISW-S, Executive Director of Kaleidscope Youth Center. “Through Connections, participants will receive support in securing stable housing; case management and service coordination; child care support; food security; physical, mental health, and substance use support; and transportation.” Traditionally, federally-funding housing programs — those currently available to the community — focus on those whom are either already homeless or about to be homeless. This means that young people in unsafe home situations are forced to live “on the land,” on the streets or in other dangerous conditions before qualifying for assistance. “In Columbus, there are an estimated 3,000 young people identified as being homeless; and of that number approximately 40% are unaccounted for because they are not eligible to access current services based on federal guidelines, and/or there are not mechanisms developed to accurately record their experiences,” explained Upchurch. “While the need to serve youth whom are literally homeless is real, this restricted focus creates barriers, and a gap in services for LGBTQIA+ young people whose housing is insecure or vulnerable due to lack of acceptance or safety within their homes.”
20 | MARCH 2019
TRUE Q MAGAZINE
