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RainbowYOUTH has opened its first drop-in centre outside of Auckland, providing a safe and accessible space for Tauranga youth.

Located in the Historic Village, the new drop-in centre further solidifies the organisations work in the Bay of Plenty region.

In 2014, RainbowYOUTH created a peer support group for the region ‘TaurangaPryde’, a group that has proven to be a success, exceeding expectations. As the group grew in numbers, a Regional Coordinator for Bay of Plenty was hired late last year through funding from avenues such as the Ministry of Social Development and Bay Trust.

Working over the past year to build connections with existing youth services, RainbowYOUTH Regional Coordinator for Bay of Plenty Nathan Bramwell says “It is super exciting seeing the youth in Tauranga being able to create a space of their own.

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“Not only is the space one where they can be social and have pride in their identities, it shows the support and welcome of the wider youth services and networks we have fostered, giving holistic empowerment and a sense of belonging back to the youth.”

The Tauranga centre will be open during select weekdays for the public to drop-in to enjoy a safe space that celebrates the identities of sex, sexuality and gender diverse people, as well as providing access to a range of resources, free wifi, information and tea and coffee.

You can find the space at Complex 1, Historic Village, 159 Seventeenth Avenue West. For more information, visit www.ry.org.nz/tauranga

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