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Join Benjii in support of Oasis and Rainbow Center's Creating Community Campaign

Benjii

1800 from 15 donors 3 updates 5000 goal
Why are Oasis and the Rainbow Center co-locating?
There are many reasons to co-locate, but here are just a few examples of why:

  • ·Both Oasis and Rainbow Center are simply out of space! Combined, the two entities receive about 200 visits per week and are open for drop-in about 45 hours a week between the two centers.
  • ·For the first time in 28 years, Oasis will be moving into a public location. This is largely to do increased and visible public support of Oasis and LGBTQ youth. As we move, we want to model a healthy coming out process and our youth-adult partnership.
  • ·Oasis and Rainbow Center have been collaborating more and more in recent years. Co-location takes our connection to the next level. By co-locating, we hope to serve more youth and adults, create a vibrant hub for community dialogue and interaction, and build on new and existing relationships in the community.
  • ·We want to make the most of the community’s generosity. It is just a better use of time and money to build one great shared kitchen, for example, rather than two mediocre kitchens.
What does co-location mean?
Co-location means that Oasis and Rainbow Center will be physically connected in a building we have chosen together through a community process. Oasis will have its distinct space and entrance and Rainbow Center will have its distinct space and entrance. We will also have shared space, including a kitchen, meeting area, and more. Shared spaces will be scheduled according to the needs of Oasis and Rainbow Center. Co-location means that we can share resources and make the best use of the community’s contributions.
How do I know my donation will make a difference?
All donors will receive a story and a photo about the progress of the construction. Stories may also highlight the life of someone positively changed through your donation!
Who will be handling my donation?
The Pierce County AIDS Foundation is a Tacoma, Washington based 501(c)(3) nonprofit. They will handle the management and distribution of your donation.

 

Thanks to...

Jul 15
Sam view profile
Sam gave 75 for a share of ORC construction costs
Jul 13
Helen view profile
Helen made a 250 contribution
Jun 17
Julia view profile
Julia made a 100 contribution
Jun 6
Ken view profile
Ken made a 100 contribution
May 21
Holly view profile
Holly made a 100 contribution
May 20
Connie & John view profile
Connie & John gave 100 for a share of ORC construction costs
Kit view profile
Kit gave 25 for a share of ORC construction costs
May 17
Eric view profile
Eric made a 100 contribution
May 16
Rose view profile
Rose gave 500 for a share of ORC construction costs
Carol view profile
Carol gave 100 for a share of ORC construction costs
Pat view profile
Pat made a 100 contribution
May 15
Aimee view profile
Aimee gave 50 for a share of ORC construction costs
Tiffany view profile
Tiffany gave 75 for a share of ORC construction costs
Courtney view profile
Courtney gave 25 for a share of ORC construction costs
May 14
Dan view profile
Dan gave 100 for a share of ORC construction costs

What ORC will mean to me

Dear Friends,

Great news! The local LGBTQA resource centers– Oasis Youth Center and the Rainbow Center– are co-locating in a terrific new space. I am honored to be co-chairing the “Creating Community Campaign” to support this great project.

These two groundbreaking non-profits will be sharing 6,000 sq ft of space in the heart of downtown Tacoma at 22nd and Pacific, just a block from UWT and the Museums, and directly connected to light rail and many transit options. The new central location will provide a “one stop shop”, whether you are a homeless youth seeking shelter, a community leader wanting to give back, or an isolated senior seeking companionship.

The new facility is a national model of collaboration. This partnership will enable:

–Increased operational hours
–More participants and engaged community members
–Expanded opportunities for educating the South Sound community
–Streamlined services

I have been deeply involved with both Oasis and the Rainbow Center for years. They provide literally life-saving services, and I am deeply committed to helping them thrive in their new location. I have made a leadership gift of $5,000 myself, and am asking my friends and colleagues to match my giving.

I need your help! Please support my personal fundraising goal of $5,000 by donating via my online giving page. Thank-you for helping me reach my goal and supporting the Creating Community Campaign.

In shared joy and prosperity,

Benjii

Celebrate Pride by Saving Lives (sent July 13)

Yesterday was a humbling day for me.

The News Tribune put a terrific story about the new facility for Oasis and the Rainbow Center on the front of the South Sound section.

I joined my dear friends Laurie Jinkins and Laura Wulf at House of Tattoo on 6th Ave, getting wedding rings etched on their ring fingers a week before their wedding at Union Station. This time last year, we were all working frantically to be the first state in the country to pass marriage equality by a vote of the people… and we did it!

At noon, I was nominated by the Chamber for the Art Popham Award for helping build community spirit… which was a thrill, and totally unexpected.

And yesterday afternoon, the Broadway Center was honored by Pride Foundation with the Emerald Award for our work advancing equality for the LGBTQ community, and we joined Mayor Strickland in raising the Rainbow flag over City Hall for the third consecutive year.

But those of you who know me know that awards, while wonderful, are not what motivates me. I’m all about results. And we still have work to do– lots of it– to make sure that homeless youth find shelter, that vulnerable seniors find support, and that the LGBTQ community continues to move forward.

So today, while the Out in the Park festival surrounds me at the theaters, I am proud… but more important, I am also committed to the work ahead. If you haven’t had a chance to donate to the campaign yet, please do… we still have $25,000 to raise before we move in at the end of July.

read more updates »

Read stories of real lives changed

RC's New Space! Oasis' New Space! Tacoma Tests Thursdays! Does this outfit make my PRIDE look big?

Oasis and the Rainbow Center

ORC_logo

Oasis, a program of the Pierce County AIDS Foundation, enhances and sustains the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth by saving individual lives, building community, and developing young leaders who can change the world.  Oasis is a youth-adult partnership in which young people and adults come together for shared teaching, learning and action.

The Rainbow Center is a safe, accessible and welcoming community space for meetings, activities and events that strengthen the lives of people in our community. We support Greater Pierce County by providing a centralized source of information and referral for and about the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. We provide visibility to the history, culture and diversity of our communities.

Tell Benjii why you this cause!