On Vista Youth Center's opening day three years ago, Mark Lee was worried no teens would show up.
He put up fliers about the Kennewick center that he envisioned as a safe place for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered, or LGBT, youths. But mostly he was relying on word of mouth.
It was successful. When Vista held its first drop-in session in March 2007, about 15 teens came by.
"It was an amazing feeling," Lee said Monday.
It hasn't gone away. The center has served hundreds of young people from the Tri-Cities and beyond since that first day.
There are drop-in sessions each week in which young people can stop by to talk, play games or just hang out in the brightly-decorated space off West Bruneau Place. Trained facilitators are on hand during the sessions, and youths dealing with issues such as addiction are connected with professionals who can help.
Sadie Bauer, 18, of Kennewick, was a freshman in high school when Vista opened. It was hard for her in school because she felt targeted due to her sexual orientation, she said. She heard about Vista through friends.
"The moment we walked in, it was a great atmosphere," Bauer said. "The energy was great. It felt so warm and welcoming. It kept drawing us back."
Korey Gaddis, 20, of Kennewick, also was drawn to Vista from the time it opened. He was one of the 15 or so youths who showed up for the first drop-in session, and he's since become a leader there.
It's a place where gay and lesbian youths can feel accepted and safe, he said.
"For young people in the community in general, Vista is a place that doesn't discriminate. As long as you have an open mind you can come," he said.
Lee, a Portland transplant who spent years working in the computer industry, was looking for a way to become involved in the community after he moved to town, he told the Herald in 2007.
He felt there was a need for a place like Vista, so he began raising money and recruiting volunteers. The center now has a corps of about 14 trained adult facilitators who help the youths and a board of directors to provide guidance and do fundraising.
"I think that (the center) is continuing to grow and have an impact," said Kevin Husted, board president.
Vista isn't holding a public celebration to mark its anniversary, though there will be cake and ice cream for visitors this week, Lee said.
The center has drop-in sessions from 3 to
8 p.m. Tuesdays for youths ages 14 to 17 and from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays for youths ages 18 to 21. There also is a family-style dinner and social time from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays.
The center is at 2625 W. Bruneau Place, Suite E.
* On the net: vistayouthcenter.org
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