Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center

The Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center (RYC) gives 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Durango and the surrounding region a place to belong outside of school. It began in 2015, when students approached a school counselor and a school-based mental health provider looking for a space that would accept them and support their growth. The center opened its doors on September 15, 2015, and today it offers programs throughout the week at no cost.

Youth in middle school and high school can drop in to Rainbow Youth Rising on Mondays and Thursdays for snacks, games and time with peers, with monthly outings such as bowling, ice skating, camping, movie nights and lock-ins. Tea Time meets on Wednesdays for transgender, gender questioning, nonbinary and gender expansive youth, and two Dungeons and Dragons campaigns meet each week. Beyond the drop-ins, RYC provides free individual counseling for ages 12 to 24, a mentorship program that pairs young people with queer mentors, case management, and a victim advocate who helps with resource navigation and a Basic Needs Fund.

Families have their own programs: a monthly Caregiver Group with free childcare, and a Playgroup for children ages three to 11 who are transgender, gender fluid, queer or nonbinary, and their families. RYC also trains schools, nonprofits, businesses, law enforcement and human services agencies, and hosts a Transgender Healthcare Symposium at Fort Lewis College for caregivers and providers.

Because safety comes first, the address is shared on request. Reach the center at 970-903-8595 or through the contact page to get connected to any program.