Oasis Youth Center

Oasis is such an amazing place for LGBTQ youth! The center provides mentorship, safety, education and a great place for young people to socialize and meet like-​minded people. The Center has countless programs that it runs, including a leadership program called Youth Council that meets every Monday from 5:30pm-8:30pm and Check-​In which happens every Thursday evening. Youth Council allows it’s members to take on a special role at Oasis– they plan activities, parties and fundraisers that go on at The Center and brainstorm ways to engage others at Oasis. Check-​In is a night where youth can come together and update everyone on what is going on in their lives, play games, use the computer lab, meet new people and enjoy a free meal.
They recently collocated with the Rainbow Center, meaning they are in the same building which is great! Having both organizations in the same building means more resources and support in one place! Whether you are 14 – 24 and looking for support or to make some friends, or 25+ and looking to volunteer, this is a great organization to support. The volunteer roles vary, and there are numerous ways to get involved!

Unfort because this is located in Tacoma and there are a ton of closed minded rednecks in Tacoma this drop in center for gay and questioning youth must keep its location secret till one of the adult supervisors meets or talks with you. I went there a lot when I was in my late teens to early 20’s. I always felt welcomed even though I was a shy youth. I would highly recommend any youth who needs an affirming place to go to who needs help accepting who they are in the Tacoma and Pierce County area to give this group a call. The adults never judge and are there to honestly help. When I went as a youth even the other youth were pretty cool and I still run into some from time to time where I live in Seattle. I have a lot of fun memories from going and meeting others who were in the same boat as myself. So yeah if you are having issues at home, school or whatever and need a nonjudgmental place to go to in the Tacoma area this would be the place to turn to. Unilocalers if you know of a youth in the Tacoma or Pierce County area pass this info along. PLEASE! You might even save a life.