About Us
What we Believe
Mission
To build a brave, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, non-judgmental, and visible space and community for Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) youth, families and allies in Southwest Colorado.
Vision
To demystify stereotypes and empower through education. We envision that 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and allies will direct and develop youth led educational, social, and emotionally supportive activities that will benefit overall well-being.
Values
The RYC values community and connection centered in vulnerability, compassion, and justice. We value authentic and safe relationships. We value the whole person as they are. We value wellness and creating opportunities to live one’s best life possible.
Our Norms
- Respect; We respect names, pronouns, orientation, gender and philosophies.
- Confidentiality; What is said at RYC stays at RYC, but what is learned here leaves.
- Boundaries; We will respect all boundaries (visual, auditory, physical, etc.).
- Brave Space; We will create space for growth while being mindful of what might be uncomfortable for others
The Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center (RYC) does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and consumers..
RYC
History of the center
In roles as a guidance counselor and a school-based mental health provider at Durango High School during the 2014-2015 school year, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth approached us. They voiced concern and need for a space they could attend after and outside of school that will accept them for who they are and assist in their growth and healthy development. RYC held focus groups with youth, allies, and family members to gather more information about the needs. One youth reported, “I didn’t even know there was a GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) in our school. I am not even sure I would feel comfortable going.” Another youth stated, “I would love to be able to have a place to go and feel comfortable with my peers.” A parent stated, “Sometimes, I am not sure how to handle as a parent everything my child is going through.” A High School coach remarked, “I have had several students approach me for support around 2SLGBTQIA+ issues stating they do not have a safe place to go to get support and don’t feel fully supported at school or at home”.
We opened our doors for programming on September 15, 2015 with 18 youth participating in our opening night. We currently run three programs each week, with between 8 – 20 youth attending. In addition, we provide one Saturday event per month. There is never a fee of any kind to take part in drop in nights or weekend activities.
We have a strong base of volunteers that show up and make the Youth Center possible, and our Board of Directors, created in 2016, is made up of seasoned non-profit veterans with a passion for our organization.
The youth find support and guidance from one another, as well as from the volunteers and staff. We offer one-on-one mentorship to those youth who need it, and we have been able to extend this option to youth in the area who are too young to attend our drop-in times. We offer a Queer Sex Ed curriculum as well as a program specifically designed for transgender and non-binary youth as well as their caregivers. Often other professionals join us to present short talks on services or opportunities they provide.
The increase of children under 10 who are identifying as transgender has been a source of concern for the community stakeholders who are uncertain about how to proceed. Roughly 65% of the youth who attend our drop-ins identify as transgender or non-binary, so we are well positioned to provide support to other agencies and organizations.
RYC is becoming the go-to resource in the community for 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. We are routinely approached to give staff trainings or offer guidance one-on-one for professionals in the area who are coming into contact with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
OUR
RYC Staff
Board of Directors
Courtney Lane I Board Chair (Interim)
Courtney Lane (she/they) is a South Carolina native, with strong ties to the Appalachian Range. She graduated from North Greenville University with a B.S. in Outdoor Leadership. Since graduating, Courtney has worked to foster connections and relationships through youth centered outdoor programming. Courtney has a deep passion for creating inclusive spaces, supporting their community, and meeting people where they are.
Since moving to Durango Courtney has been planting deep roots in the Durango community through volunteering with local nonprofits, working for the Durango Farmers Market and learning more about local food networks, as well as serving on the RYC Board. She currently works as a Volunteer Coordinator for a adaptive summer camp program, PALS, that offers summer camp programming to individuals with down syndrome.
Kasey Hope I Secretary
Kasey Hope (she/her) moved to Durango with her husband after finishing graduate school for audiology in 2013. She works in special education as the school audiologist for the San Juan BOCES, serving Southwest Colorado school districts. Kasey is dedicated to continuous learning to support vulnerable populations in our region.
Kasey joined the board of RYC to give back to an organization that has provided invaluable support for her children. Without RYC, her family would have felt very lost and alone through their young child’s growth. The RYC playgroup has been a special place for her child to explore pronouns and have the opportunity to be around other kids just like them.
Greg Casillas | Board Member
Greg joined RYC in May 2025 and brings with him a wide variety of nonprofit and for-profit business experience. Greg has worked diligently with 2SLGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness, in the fields of mental health counseling, HIV advocacy, foster care advisory and currently shares time between Mancos, CO and New Braunfels, TX. He is excited to share his knowledge of policy, procedure, program development, grant writing and financial compliance to RYC. Greg is active in the community serving as a resource to San Antonio and the surrounding area. He actively serves on several local, state and national community based initiatives and University based student projects that directly impact the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Greg has experienced many challenges in life from drug and alcohol addiction, to being diagnosed with HIV and learning how to “live” with all of them. Greg and his husband John are Dad’s to 2 great pyrenees, Mantequilla and Kevin, 9 cats, an opossum, an armadillo, and most recently a raccoon (Bandita) and Gray Fox, (Roxy). He is an avid Oklahoma Sooner, yoga instructor, cook and adventurer.
Founders
Courtney Lane I Board Chair (Interim)
Pronouns:She/her/hers/They/them/theirs
Jennifer has a strong passion for social justice and a background being involved in advocating for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. They identify as a queer, genderqueer individual. They gained their Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver and their undergraduate in psychology at the University of Washington. They have been trained in and have been working with adolescents, teens, and families for 17 years in Residential Treatment, Therapeutic Mentoring, Conflict Resolution, Child Protective Services, Community Mental Health, both in and out of schools, and Private Practice. They believe that every person deserves a safe world in which they can be free to be themselves and express themselves. They also believe that every young person’s voice is crucial and should be heard. Jennifer’s hope is for the Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center to provide a space that is safe, nonjudgmental, and educational. Stucka moved to new adventures at the end of December, 2023.
Rowan Blaisdell
Pronouns: he/him/his
Rowan Blaisdell is a registered psychotherapist and father of two teens, one gay, one straight. Rowan has a masters in social work from the University of Denver and offers a support group for parents of LGBTQ kids, as well as private counseling services for individuals and couples. You can learn more about him on his website.
Sarah St. John
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Sarah St. John left the East Coast and moved to Durango in 2001. She has a bachelors degree in psychology and a Masters degree in Counseling. Sarah has been a Professional School Counselor for ten years and has worked with youth and adolescents for 20 years. Sarah Has stepped back from the day-to-day operations of the Youth Center, but she remains one of our most enthusiastic and valuable supporters.
