Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Northeast Ohio

Colors+ Youth Center is a peer-run, community-based nonprofit dedicated to the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Our mission is to strengthen LGBTQ+ youth and families by promoting both individual and community wellness.

We provide a safe, judgment-free space where LGBTQ+ youth of all ages and their families  can enjoy activities, make friends, find support, and build community. All of our programs are free of charge, ensuring that anyone who needs support can participate without barriers.

Why We Do It

9.5% of U.S. teens identify as LGBTQ+. That’s millions of young people who need safe, affirming spaces to thrive. Instead, many LGBTQ+ youth face rejection, bullying, mental health challenges, and social isolation. The numbers are heartbreaking, but they’re also a call to action. 

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Join Us In Making A Difference

Our Journey

Building a Community for LGBTQ+ Youth

Colors+ was founded in 2018 to meet a critical need for inclusive mental health and wraparound services for LGBTQ+ youth in Northeast Ohio.

From the start, we envisioned a stigma-free space where LGBTQ+ youth, families, and allies could build relationships, explore identity, feel secure engaging in activities, and find joy in being themselves. 

As word of our programs spread, attendance and requests for new programs grew. In 2021, with the generous support from the Three Arches Foundation and our incredible corporate and community partners, we moved into our current 3,000 square foot home in Fairview Park. 

Today, Colors+ directly supports over 400 LGBTQ+ individuals annually and reaches thousands more through trainings, workshops, community events, presentations, and resource fairs.

Looking Forward

Evolving to meet our community’s needs

Guided by regular feedback from youth and families we serve, our programs continue to evolve. The arts are incorporated into many of our programs to encourage creativity, foster personal expression, and celebrate diversity within our community. 

Based on demand, Colors+ has expanded community presence in multiple ways in recent years, including: 

  • Youth Mental Health First Aid training, Substance Use Disorder (SUD) prevention, Autism Spectrum Sensory Workshops, and Parent/Caregiver Support Groups at Cove Community Center in Lakewood 

  • A weeklong summer camp and monthly parent & caregiver peer support group on Cleveland’s East Side  

We’re proud to collaborate and serve alongside local organizations and coalitions that support our mission, including:

  • Cuyahoga County Suicide Prevention Coalition

  • Northeast Ohio Pride in Action Coalition

  • Cuyahoga Human Services Chamber

  • The Mental Health Collaborative

  • Milestones Autism Resources

  • In Harmony Therapeutic Services

  • Safe Pass

  • The Miles Group

The Team Behind Our Mission

Our dedicated Board of Directors helps guide the growth and vision of Colors+ Youth Center.

President - Colleen Cronin

Treasurer - Missy S. Toms

Secretary - Dr. Chase Morgan-Swaney, PhD, LPCC-S

Past President - Dr. Pete Finnerty, PhD, PCC-S

Member - Maic D’Agostino

If you’re interested in using your time, talents, and treasure to support LGBTQ+ youth and families, we’d love to connect.  Email info@ColorsPlus.org to learn more about joining our Board of Directors or getting involved.