OUR STORY

Founded by a group of direct service and harm reduction workers serving the unhoused population, the idea of Project Rainbow was born in an office after a particularly heartbreaking meeting with an unsheltered Appalachian trans woman who was having difficulty accessing existing shelter spaces. This woman’s experiences prompted us to consider other individuals who shared similar experiences, and our founding members learned that LGBTQ+ folks experiencing homelessness often struggle to find safe spaces to navigate the housing system. Thus, Project Rainbow was born in October of 2022. We worked tirelessly to open The Rainbow House, an emergency shelter that serves as a safe place for unhoused LGBTQ+ individuals to utilize on their journey toward permanent housing solutions. A true testament to grassroots organizing and the power of community, it was through fundraising efforts and community support alone that Project Rainbow was able to lease, renovate, and open The Rainbow House in the Summer of 2023. Over time, Project Rainbow has expanded from its founding members to a diverse Board of Directors and staff with lived experience, professional experience, and compassion for those we serve. We have received grant finding that has allowed us to expand our programming to service more vulnerable LGBTQ+ West Virginians. Today, we proudly work with our community partners to continue ending homelessness in our state.