Rainbow Passage is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ individuals escape dangerous living situations caused by discriminatory state policies and unsafe living situations. Our mission is to create a future where every queer individual can thrive in safety and happiness. We focus on four fundamental areas:
Safe Transport
We assist individuals facing legislative and domestic dangers by transporting them to secure environments where they can be safe from harm.
Community Support
We are committed to fostering a supportive community for all LGBTQ+ individuals. Through various initiatives, collaborations, and projects we aim to provide a sense of belonging and support for those who may feel isolated or marginalized.
Transitional Housing
We offer transitional housing solutions to queer individuals escaping legislative oppression. By providing a stable and safe environment, we help them rebuild their lives and move forward with confidence.
Rainbow Gardens - Mental Health and Wellness Center
Coming Soon!
A center dedicated to recovery from hate-related trauma and to building the life skills needed to overcome any obstacle they may face through recovery and beyond.
Established to help LGBTQ+ individuals escape legislative oppression throughout the US, one thing that has become clear is the massive trauma load many of our clients are experiencing and will need assistance recovering from. Whether they need merely a 3-month period to get back on their feet with new resources in a new region or they are looking at a long road measuring upwards of more than a year, we aim to provide that much needed resource. It would be impossible to meet our clients’ needs with merely the volunteer hosting model by itself, we need to build a center that will be focused on their care and recovery through all stages of the process.
Introducing Rainbow Gardens
Rainbow Gardens is setting out with the following goals:
1. Provide Comprehensive Mental Health Support
A wide range of services tailored to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, including therapy, counselling, psychiatric care, and peer support.
2. Promote Holistic Wellness
Foster physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being through programs like yoga, meditation, art therapy, and nutritional counselling.
3. Build a Supportive Community
Create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment where individuals can connect, share experiences, and support each other; Facilitate peer support groups and mentorship programs to strengthen community bonds.
4. Enhance Accessibility and Inclusivity
Ensure that services are accessible and inclusive to all members of the community regardless of their background or circumstances.
Address barriers to care such as stigma, discrimination, and financial constraints.
5. Empower Individuals
Equip community members with the tools and resources they need to navigate life challenges, advocate for their rights, and achieve personal growth.
Promote self-advocacy and empower individuals to take an active role in their mental health and wellness strategies.
6. Advance Education and Awareness
Provide educational programs on mental health, LGBTQ+ issues, and wellness topics to raise awareness and promote understanding.
7. Foster Resilience and Recovery
Support individuals in their recovery from mental health challenges, trauma, and other life adversities.
Cultivate resilience and coping skills to help community members navigate life’s difficulties.
8. Drive Research and Innovation
Conduct research to better understand the mental health needs of the LGBTQ+ community and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
Stay abreast of the latest developments in mental health and wellness to continually improve services.
9. Ensure Sustainability and Growth
Develop a sustainable funding model to ensure the long-term viability of the center.
Explore opportunities for expansion and collaboration to reach more individuals and enhance the scope of services.
The facility will be built in stages, in our initial stage our goal is to get a 10-bed building operational. Our long-term goal is to expand from 10 beds to eventually 100 beds and additionally partnering with local neighborhoods to expand access to long-term residential living locally to the center. The hope is that of the 100 beds, 75% will be for short-term stays and 25% will be reserved for long-term recovery. By combining several different severities of cases, in the same community, there will be better outcomes for all; and it will help to foster the longer-term community.
Ideally, Rainbow Gardens will have a surrounding intentional community dedicated to fostering inclusivity and accessibility. Collaborating with community political, activist, and business leaders we will establish an intentional community to foster and facilitate a long-term safe space large enough to serve our ever-expanding community.
Through collaboration with local businesses, leaders, and other stakeholders we will provide the host of services we feel our clients will most benefit from. Not limited to merely clinical mental health but instead focusing holistically on the whole individual, we are building a system through which our clients will learn not only to recover from their trauma filled past, but thrive in their future, regardless of what life throws at them. Some of these services could be workshops based on the following:
- Stress Management, mindfulness, healthy living, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Informed Care, Yoga, Pilates, Self-Defense classes, Nutritional classes, Mindful movement classes, Art, and Creativity as Healing, etc…
With a focus on long-term viability at the core of the community there will be many opportunities to integrate the surrounding non-client communities with our client community. From making community space and third places a priority, to accessible buildings and infrastructure, the community will be able to weather the storms of the future.
As we embark on this journey to establish Rainbow Gardens, our mental health and wellness center, we are committed to creating a beacon of hope and healing for the LGBTQ+ community. Our vision goes beyond providing immediate support; we aim to empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives, free from the shadows of trauma and discrimination. Through our comprehensive approach, we will address the multifaceted needs of our community, fostering resilience, growth, and a sense of belonging.
We recognize the importance of collaboration and inclusivity in achieving our goals. By partnering with local businesses, leaders, and other stakeholders, we will create a holistic ecosystem that nurtures the well-being of every individual. Our commitment to long-term sustainability ensures that Rainbow Gardens will be a lasting sanctuary, evolving to meet the changing needs of our community.
In the spirit of unity and progress, we invite you to join us in this transformative endeavor. Together, we can build a future where every LGBTQ+ individual can not only survive but thrive in a world that celebrates diversity and embraces love.