KYC Announces Funding Impacts
At Kaleidoscope Youth Center, we believe every young person deserves to belong – fully, safely, and without question. That belief guides every decision we make, especially the hardest ones.
Today, we are sharing an important update with our community. A significant funding loss has required KYC to make the difficult decision to eliminate three staff positions and pause our planned expansion into Northwest Ohio. These are real and painful losses. People who have poured their time, care, and energy into this work are being impacted – and we honor them fully.
“This is one of the hardest decisions we have faced,” said Amanda Erickson, Interim Executive Director. “Three dedicated staff members are losing their roles because of circumstances outside of our control. We are deeply grateful for them and are committed to supporting them through this transition.”
We will be focusing our resources on sustaining and strengthening our Columbus programs – including our drop-in center, behavioral health services, and advocacy work – spaces where LGBTQIA+ youth come to be exactly who they are, without apology.
In 2025, that work meant:
These services will continue, without interruption, and always free of charge.
We also want to name what is happening beyond KYC. Across the country, LGBTQIA+ organizations are facing increasing funding challenges and uncertainty. This moment is bigger than us – but it will not define or diminish us.
“We are not stepping back,” Erickson said. “We are refocusing. We are building a stronger, more sustainable foundation so that LGBTQIA+ youth continue to have a place where they belong – not just today, but for the long term.”
While our Northwest Ohio expansion is paused, our commitment to that community remains. Although we are no longer able to coordinate Findlay Pride in the Park, we will continue to support organizations in the Findlay area through referrals, collaboration, and advocacy. Belonging should never depend on geography, and we intend to return when we have the resources to do so responsibly. Our 2026 events – including the Annual Drag Brunch, Unity Soiree, and Rainbow Run 5K – will continue as planned. These moments of joy, visibility, and community are essential to sustaining this work. KYC has always been more than a program or a place. It is a promise.
A promise that you are worthy.
A promise that you are not alone.
A promise that you belong.
And that does not change today.
We are not going anywhere.
Today, we are sharing an important update with our community. A significant funding loss has required KYC to make the difficult decision to eliminate three staff positions and pause our planned expansion into Northwest Ohio. These are real and painful losses. People who have poured their time, care, and energy into this work are being impacted – and we honor them fully.
“This is one of the hardest decisions we have faced,” said Amanda Erickson, Interim Executive Director. “Three dedicated staff members are losing their roles because of circumstances outside of our control. We are deeply grateful for them and are committed to supporting them through this transition.”
We will be focusing our resources on sustaining and strengthening our Columbus programs – including our drop-in center, behavioral health services, and advocacy work – spaces where LGBTQIA+ youth come to be exactly who they are, without apology.
In 2025, that work meant:
- 3,539 visits to our drop-in center
- 600 individual therapeutic sessions and 21 group sessions
- 128 community education engagements across Ohio
These services will continue, without interruption, and always free of charge.
We also want to name what is happening beyond KYC. Across the country, LGBTQIA+ organizations are facing increasing funding challenges and uncertainty. This moment is bigger than us – but it will not define or diminish us.
“We are not stepping back,” Erickson said. “We are refocusing. We are building a stronger, more sustainable foundation so that LGBTQIA+ youth continue to have a place where they belong – not just today, but for the long term.”
While our Northwest Ohio expansion is paused, our commitment to that community remains. Although we are no longer able to coordinate Findlay Pride in the Park, we will continue to support organizations in the Findlay area through referrals, collaboration, and advocacy. Belonging should never depend on geography, and we intend to return when we have the resources to do so responsibly. Our 2026 events – including the Annual Drag Brunch, Unity Soiree, and Rainbow Run 5K – will continue as planned. These moments of joy, visibility, and community are essential to sustaining this work. KYC has always been more than a program or a place. It is a promise.
A promise that you are worthy.
A promise that you are not alone.
A promise that you belong.
And that does not change today.
We are not going anywhere.
About Kaleidoscope Youth Center
Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) is Ohio’s largest and longest-serving organization solely dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth ages 12–24. Services include a drop-in center, behavioral health and wellness programs, community education and training, and advocacy and civic engagement.
For media inquiries:
[email protected] | 614-294-5437
Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) is Ohio’s largest and longest-serving organization solely dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth ages 12–24. Services include a drop-in center, behavioral health and wellness programs, community education and training, and advocacy and civic engagement.
For media inquiries:
[email protected] | 614-294-5437
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