May 26, 2022 Embracing and Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth Our Rockwood and Morris facilities have once again been bustling! In April, Friends of the Children—Portland held our very first LGBTQ+ youth and ally hang out at Rockwood. As a social justice, healing-centered, and culturally responsive nonprofit, FriendsPDX actively provides safe and fun spaces for youth to embrace their identities. In the kitchen youth made pizza and rainbow rice crispy treats. At the dining room, table youth played highly competitive games of Jenga and Connect 4. In the art room, youth got creative with painting on a variety of mediums like canvas, plexiglass, and wood. And throughout the afternoon youth and staff sang karaoke on the big screen. Youth and staff connected around shared identity, interests, and Sparks. When we create intentional communities where youth can see someone who shares an identity with them, we give youth a chance to see that they can successfully achieve any future that they dream up. While no one was ready for the hang-out to end, everyone enjoyed getting to strengthen our LGBTQ+ community here at FriendsPDX. To top off the amazing afternoon, a rainbow appeared in the field behind Rockwood as folks were departing 🌈