All Rainbow and Allied Youth (ARAY)

All Rainbow and Allied Youth (ARAY) works to make sure every young person in Southwest Florida feels safe, supported and heard. Founded in 2017 in Charlotte County, ARAY serves LGBTQ+ and allied youth 24 and under with advocacy, essential resources and safe spaces that build community, authentic expression and practical life skills.

The heart of ARAY is its weekly drop-in, offered in person and virtually. Youth come to meet one another, share peer support, get referrals to local services, and pick up free gender-affirming clothes and hygiene products, from body wash, shampoo and deodorant to menstrual and sexual health products. Drop-in socials include food and snacks.

Art and music are central to the work. The music program offers access to instruments, lessons, songwriting, an introduction to audio engineering and group music activities, and the drop-in center stocks paints, canvases, yarn and kandi supplies for free creative time. An open library lends LGBTQ+ books and resources. Basic Life Skills Training covers communication, coping strategies, boundaries, budgeting, independent living, healthy relationships, Seeking Safety, de-escalation and cooking on a budget.

Youth and families can email or call for current drop-in times. Volunteers, who complete a background check, help facilitate drop-ins, plan events and handle office tasks, and remote volunteers contribute social media, design, web and fundraising skills. ARAY also welcomes sponsors, item donations from its Amazon wish list and gifts online.