HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2024-4680

HR 4680

ByRepresentative Jinkins

WHEREAS, The Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma, Washington has been serving the greater Pierce county community for nearly 40 years; and

WHEREAS, In that time more than 10,000 youth, staff, and volunteers have participated in Oasis; and

WHEREAS, The Oasis Youth Center provides a safe place for LGBTQ+ youth to learn more about themselves; and

WHEREAS, They help youth in Tacoma and across Pierce county access services like mental health care, emergency financial assistance, housing, education, legal resources, and more; and

WHEREAS, They have hosted Thursday night check-ins almost every week for the last 39 years, giving youth a space to gather, access resources, and build community; and

WHEREAS, The Oasis Youth Center provides leadership opportunities by partnering with the youth they serve, ensuring that young people have a shared role in the organization; and

WHEREAS, You can find them hosting everything from open mic nights to "Queer Chef," where youth learn about cooking, food, and nutrition, to creating partnerships with the Tacoma Youth Symphony where youth can access music programming; and

WHEREAS, These services can be lifesaving for our LGBTQ+ youth, helping to build our communities and ensuring everyone has the resources they need to thrive;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington state House of Representatives celebrate the Oasis Youth Center for their many decades of work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ youth in Pierce county.