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

Ross Hiranaga

1055 from 19 donors 1200 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...

Jun 5
Keryn view profile
Keryn made a 5 contribution
May 31
Wil view profile
Wil gave 50 for a share of ORC construction costs
May 29
Neil view profile
Neil gave 10 for a share of ORC construction costs
Neil view profile
Neil gave 20 for a share of ORC construction costs
Leah view profile
Leah made a 15 contribution
May 27
Kirstin view profile
Kirstin made a 15 contribution
May 26
Melissa view profile
Melissa made a 50 contribution
May 23
Dawn view profile
Dawn gave 50 for a share of ORC construction costs
Shannon view profile
Shannon made a 25 contribution
Kirk view profile
Kirk made a 65 contribution
Tim view profile
Tim made a 65 contribution
Susan view profile
Susan gave 25 for a share of ORC construction costs
Laurie view profile
Laurie gave 20 for a share of ORC construction costs
Kirsten view profile
Kirsten gave 50 for a share of ORC construction costs
Ross view profile
Ross gave 150 for a share of ORC construction costs
Todd view profile
Todd made a 80 contribution
Lara view profile
Lara made a 25 contribution
Mark view profile
Mark made a 100 contribution
May 15
Ross view profile
Ross gave 10 for a share of ORC construction costs
May 14
David Tetsuo view profile
David Tetsuo gave 50 for a share of ORC construction costs
Elliott view profile
Elliott made a 100 contribution
Ross view profile
Ross made a 25 contribution
Ross view profile
Ross made a 50 contribution

What ORC will mean to me

To my Family, Friends and FB Ohana,

A while back, I sent out a letter to many of you describing the path life took me down at the end of January. (I apologize if you weren’t an original recipient but I can still share that letter with you if you wish). Ultimately, it spoke of how I was laid off from my job of over 8 years but at the same time, entered a new and healthy relationship. I managed to find time to re-prioritize my values and with the help of my boyfriend John Cummings, was able to focus on the concepts of passion and giving. I took my newly found time to raise money for two organizations that I feel are playing a very important role in raising and supporting the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) youth and adults, and their allies of Pierce County. These two organizations are Oasis and The Rainbow Center.

Growing up in Hawaii, I never had places like these to turn to and I think that it is important for a state as progressive as Washington, to be a national leader in the cause.

After I sent out the letter, I received many checks in the mail from people who wanted to help. Recently, the fundraising chairs came up with this great tool to track donations and progress. I know for some, sending a check is a pain, so this method allows you to submit a donation from your credit card. Please help if you can. There is still lots of $$$ to raise before the end of May! My promise is to match and donate 10% of all the monies I collect. So far, I have collected approximately $1000 from those of you who mailed or gave me checks/cash. Whatever total I get from here, will also be matched by 10%.

Thank you for reading this far and please help if you can, even if it means sharing the link to my page!

~Ross

—–

The local LGBTQA resource centers, Oasis Youth Center and the Rainbow Center, are moving, and I am fundraising to support this great project.

The two centers will be sharing 6,000 sqft of space and starting a partnership that will enrich the entire lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and allied (LGBTQA) community. The new facility will feature:

–Increased operational hours
–More participants and engaged community members
–Expanded opportunities for educating the South Sound community about LGBTQ and Allied issues
–A national best practice model of partnership and collaboration

I am excited to be helping this new space come into existence. In order to make this dream a reality, I need your help to meet my fundraising goal. A lot of people and organizations are stepping up to be a part of our Creating Community Campaign! There are tons of volunteers, a supportive landlord, and many community partners who are enthusiastic about being a part of this amazing effort. I want to invite you to be a part of this project as well. Check out our campaign website at http://www.orctacoma.org/

Please help to support my personal fundraising goal by donating via my online giving page. Thank-you for helping me reach my goal and supporting the O.R.C. Creating Community Campaign!

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 Ross why you this cause!