To my York County Community and Chosen Family,
Four years ago, I shared a vision with a few passionate community members to create a resource center for York County’s LGBTQIA+ Community. It became my life’s mission and, at times, my full-time (unpaid) job to get the Rainbow Rose Center off the ground and operational. I couldn’t have done it without the amazing co-founders - Maria Gable, Chris Stetler, and Kevin Forry - and our original volunteer board members.
Starting a nonprofit in the midst of a global pandemic was no small feat, and the Rainbow Rose Center wouldn’t have come this far without the awesome support of our community. Over the years, we've helped hundreds of community members; grown tremendously in our services, programs; expanded our York County Pride event; and we even won a few awards.
Now, the Rainbow Rose Center reaches a new milestone - under new leadership and without any of the founders, the Rainbow Rose Center will soon be introducing new leadership in the role of the Executive Director.
My dream of creating a center for the community has been achieved, and so my time leading the organization is at its end. It is my fullest hope that, under the new board leadership of President Christina Wingert, Vice President Jennifer Page-Wise and the rest of the Executive Committee, with the help of the full volunteer Board of Directors, the organization will continue to grow and help York County’s LGBTQIA+ Community thrive.
I promise, this isn’t goodbye. You will still see me around, sometimes, at Rainbow Rose Center events and programs, and I will advise the Board and staff when requested. I will, of course, continue to support the organization in the means and capacity that I can - because I truly believe in the mission. I hope you do too, and that you will continue to volunteer, support, and donate to this wonderful and impactful organization.
Yours in Service and in Pride,
Tesla Nicole Taliaferro
Immediate Past President and Co-Founder
