The Rainbow Program

The CHRIS Kids Rainbow Program provides a safe and supportive residence for homeless and runaway gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Rainbow is a transitional living life skills program for homeless and runaway sexual minority youth that provides both services and referrals. Life and job skills training are provided as youth become connected with a variety of community resources such as counseling, medical and legal services and volunteer opportunities.

Research indicates that up to 56% of runaway and homeless youth self-identify as LGBTQ. At Rainbow these young people find a place to live where they can learn self acceptance and be open about who they are without fear or retribution. In this positive environment, youth gain the self-confidence and the skills they need to make it on their own. With the help of staff, youth learn life skills and how to balance individual responsibility while developing a sense of community.

Rainbow residents must follow certain protocol and meet the following expectations:

• Youth have an interview/ intake session and agree to abide by program rules.
• Residents are required to abide by program rules, treat each other and themselves with respect, and be able to function in a minimally supervised environment.
• Youth are required to obtain full or part-time work, complete high school or obtain their GED.
• Residents must participate in a minimum of two individually tailored life skills training sessions each week.
• Homeless or displaced youth between the ages of 17 and 21 can reside at the CHRIS Kids Rainbow Program.
  

Currently, youth are referred into the program through organizations like YouthPride, the United Way, supportive congregations and word of mouth. Outreach includes flyers at numerous community organizations, gay owned businesses and homeless shelters.
In 2003, ILP and the Rainbow Program partnered to enhance supervision and services in both programs.

The CHRIS Kids Rainbow Program component is funded through both public and private sources. Grants from Fulton County Human Services and the United Way make up 20% of the total annual budget. The other 80% must be secured through charitable contributions from corporations, foundations, and individuals.

This special program serving sexual minority youth is one of only a handful in the nation and the only program in the Southeast.

For more information on the CHRIS Kids Rainbow Program, please contact intake at CHRIS Kids.

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