Kaleidoscope was disappointed to learn that Ohio officials have chosen to join a lawsuit that challenges the US Department of Education's guidance on Title IX protections for Transgender youth in our state's schools.  When asked by The Columbus Dispatch, Amy Eldridge, executive director of Kaleidoscope Youth Center, said, "Unfounded fears and prejudice are fueling the suit against the U.S. Department of Education’s directive to protect transgender youth from the very real harm of harassment and discrimination."

She said such "discriminatory policies are dangerous and harmful. ... Experts have unambiguously concluded that it is more important to support the safety and well-being of transgender and gender nonconforming students than the unfounded fears and discomfort of those who would continue to discriminate against them."

As an affiliate of the National Association of GSA (Genders and Sexualities Alliances) Networks, Kaleidoscope's Ohio GSA Network supports more than 80 GSA clubs in high schools and middle schools across the state.  Training, consultation and online resources are available for youth leaders and school staff who seek to create safe space within their schools.  Please call (614-294-5437) or email us with any questions.

In the wake of this horrific violence against our community in Orlando, Kaleidoscope did what we do best-- we created a warm, inclusive, and affirming space for young people to gather to share their experiences and receive support from their community. 
 
Many youth sought KYC out on Monday knowing that it is a safer space to discuss their feelings and concerns, and a space to receive support from their peers and caring adults. KYC provided a structured group "check-in" with youth to discuss Orlando if they chose, as well as opportunities for youth to speak to adult volunteers and staff members throughout the evening. In addition to discussions, Daniel Sernicola and Jake Hays also provided a free yoga session for youth to focus on their incredible strength, the strength of the LGBTQ community, and the ability for each individual to impact others positively, despite community tragedy. We are so grateful to Daniel and Jake for creating that space of healing!
 
As with anything, reactions from youth varied from fear to anger to disbelief. For many, it hit close to home. Orlando is not so different from Columbus, OH. Pulse is not so different from the LGBTQ clubs in Columbus that our community gathers for dancing and socializing. Overall, though, youth expressed resiliency. One shared that they "won't let this stop me from being proud of who I am." Youth also hoped to demonstrate their support of the Orlando LGBTQ community through the Columbus Pride parade and through reaching out to LGBTQ youth Centers in Orlando in solidarity. 
 
Our youth expressed some of the longstanding strengths and values of the larger LGBTQ community: extraordinary resilience in the face of discrimination and violence and extraordinary community support. 
 
 
 
Michelle Jordan, MSW, LSW
Center Program Coordinator
Kaleidoscope Youth Center

When Kaleidoscope began the process of imagining what it's next home would be, we started with a simple question: what would the youth do?

Kaleidoscope strives to be youth led in all aspects of its work, from types of programming to the design of the spaces in which the programming takes paces.  So when it came time to find a new home, youth participants were consulted early in the process.

"We're proud of the fact that youth participants have often felt comfortable enough with staff to come to us with their ideas, needs, and desires," said Michelle Jordan, Center Program Coordinator.  "But we also asked the question directly and multiple times.  What do you want to see in the next KYC?  What does your dream KYC look like?"

Youth shared a number of ideas, the most oft-repeated of which was that they wanted a new KYC that was just as comfortable and home-like as the space the organization had called home for ten years.  Youth participants then brought their ideas to life in a beautiful KYC Dream House collage.

"We are so proud of the fact that many of the details in the Dream House are a reality in our new facility," said Amy Eldridge, Executive Director.  "We might not have a pool, but we do have bright colors, a stage, and a dedicated arts space. This is truly the space we all dreamed about." 

Youth-centered design of youth spaces is essential for maximum engagement and utilization of those spaces.  Libraries, schools, and even courts have all recognized the importance of youth-centered design. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) published guidelines for teen library spaces in 2012.  The guidelines recognize that "[t]eens experience rapid physical, emotional and social changes while developing their intellectual capabilities and personal values, understanding and accepting their sexuality, and identifying their educational and occupational options."

If you are interested in creating a teen-centered space in your home, your church, or anywhere else, we offer the following ten tips adapted from YALSA Guideline for Physical Space 2.0:

To see more of KYC's space, visit our page dedicated to the MOVE.  Or, contact us to schedule a tour.

They told us it took dedication. They told us that this Teen Outreach thing was something done nationwide. A good resume builder, a good thing to be a part of. The way that Michelle and Danielle and Michael described TOP made me think that it’d be volunteering at soup kitchens and supporting a charity, but it turned out to be having intensive sex talks and playing with DSLR cameras and a cat named Persephone. Not at the same time, of course.
 
            When we first joined, nothing spectacular happened. I’m not even sure if our very first meeting was discussing ROPES, but it was definitely one of our earliest. For us it stood for Respect, Optimistic, Proactive, Equity, and Support. To get respect is to give respect. To have a great outcome you have to hope for a great outcome. You can’t just participate by contributing one little thing, but be fully present and actively listening. We didn’t pick equality. We picked equity. Everyone deserves a chance, but that chance may not be enough for one individual who could very well succeed, and that chance may not be necessary for another, for everyone has strengths and things they can work on. The moment they become weaknesses is when there’s no support, which is more than just encouragement but actually being there for someone. Since creating our ROPES, we have never felt the need to remind another about them.
 
            Then came the learning activities. Thinking about a quote then free-writing. Bidding on a goal we want to achieve with fake money. Having Danielle look up different forms of contraception just to scare me. As funny as it can sometimes get during our meetings, we all had something positive to say at the end. The most common thing said was that it feels like we did a lot today.
 
            But the main requirements wasn’t just to go to the meetings. There was the service learning projects, and a total of 20 hours that we needed to achieve by the end of our term. Anxiety filled the air — for some but not all. Some people didn’t show up anymore. The list of different places to do volunteer work was figuratively in the trash. However, there came a time when we finally shifted to creating a schedule for community service learning projects — something that was a relief to several. The positives turned from “we did a lot today” to “this seems so real now”. Next thing you know, we were petting a cat named Persephone at an animal shelter, and taking photos with a Canon t5i in front of a green screen at COSI. It was finally Kaleidoscope on TOP of things.

Nine years ago, you might have met Denise at Kaleidoscope's old location in the Lennox Town Center - as a youth participant.  Today, you'll find her at the current location - as an intern. 

The OSU graduate and 1st year masters of Social Work student from Columbus is happy to be returning to KYC in this new role.  "There's a lot more work that goes into this than I ever thought," laughs Denise.  "You're definitely busy."

Denise is no stranger to busy herself.  In addition to her studies, she works for a mental health private practice and is raising two dogs - Chase, a low-key labrador/husky mix and Rupert, a mutt who loves to play and bark - and a cat, Binx, with her partner, Britknee.   When not indulging in snuggle parties at home, Denise enjoys reading, running and writing and hopes to publish a children's book and a novel.  

As an avid reader and writer, it's no surprise that Denise's favorite space in the Center is the library.  She also counts Tuesday night's discussion group as her favorite weekly programming. 

Kaleidoscope is incredibly fortunate to have Denise join us.  We look forward to all of the amazing ways she will help KYC grow. 

At KYC's December 2014 meeting of the Board of Directors, Bob Barnes, CTP, AAP, of Alliance Data was elected to serve as President for a second year.  Bob was recently featured in Columbus Business First as a Person on the Move. 

Joining Bob on the executive committee are Robert Hardin-Leeth of Nationwide as Vice-President, Laura Vermilya, CPA, of Alliance Data as Treasurer, and Allen Showalter of the Ohio Attorney General's Office as Secretary. 

KYC also welcomes Gregory Zunkiewicz of Edward Jones Investments to the Board. 

"We are very excited about our 21st year and the possibilities ahead of us," commented Bob.  "The talent and passion of our board members is wonderful.  What a privilege it is to serve this great organization along side this great group of community members."

For a full list of KYC Board members, visit www.kycohio.org/board.html