Rainbow Health Returns to Downtown Minneapolis

If you’ve been in Minnesota for a bit, you might have heard of Rainbow Health. They’re a non-profit organization advocating for and serving the LGBTQ+ community, including working to end HIV and empowering marginalized groups to lead healthier lives.

Rainbow Health was formed through the Minnesota AIDS Project and Rainbow Health Initiative merger, plus a later acquisition of Training to Serve. They continue to grow and discover new ways to tackle their mission of improving health for the LGBTQ+ community.

Part of that growth is a big move to change their location from Saint Paul to downtown Minneapolis. This move is full of potential both for Rainbow Health and the community at large.

Why Move to Downtown Minneapolis?

“Over the past few years, our staff and number of services has grown, and we wanted a better space to consolidate to one location that offered a better experience for our clients,” says Jeremy Hanson Willis, CEO of Rainbow Health.

Rainbow Health offers a hybrid of on-site and virtual programs, so this move offers a flexible environment for the organization to meet with clients and community members alike. It’s also a more centralized location, where more staff and clients can easily reach the building.

The new office is conveniently located near a parking ramp, where visitors can get their parking validated. It’s also close to public transit and bike facilities, vastly improving accessibility. Plus, it’s closer to Rainbow Health’s partner organizations (like Red Door, HCMC, etc.) and community resources, offering an attractive and efficient upgrade.

“As a nonprofit that puts as much of our resources to support our clients as possible, we wanted a cost-effective space,” says Willis. “We are excited to be part of the downtown community and all the fun opportunities this offers our staff and clients.”

How Does this Move Benefit Rainbow Health and the Community as a Whole?

The new office space is larger and has a better layout for serving clients, promoting staff interaction, and welcoming community gatherings. There are meeting spaces of various sizes, plus new exercise and bike facilities for staff. This is in addition to the convenient parking and transit options; light rail is one block away and there are plenty of bus stops around the new location.

Plus, the 15th-floor site offers fantastic views with ample sunlight, giving clients and staff beautiful visuals throughout their days.

Additionally, thanks to a recent partnership with United Healthcare, Rainbow Health is expanding their behavioral health services for youth ages 14–25, just in time for the new office opening.

“One of the fastest-growing areas of our work is our mental health therapy and this new office will offer a superior space for comfortable and engaging individual or group therapy sessions,” says Willis.

When Is the Grand Opening/Open House?

“We’re planning an open house in mid-October and inviting the community to see the new space!” says Willis. “We’ll also be able to hold more events and activities in this new office, so expect to see many more opportunities to gather at Rainbow Health.”

While specific dates are still being secured, an official announcement and details about the open house and grand opening will be sent to those who subscribe to Rainbow Health’s newsletter at rainbowhealth.org/subscribe.

What Should Clients and the Community Know About the Open House/Grand Opening?

Rainbow Health plans to be fully operational in the new office by September 1st, so they invite people to stop by to visit. “We want the community to join us and learn more about who we are and what we do,” says Willis.

At the opening events, Rainbow Health is also excited to share information on their latest Voices of Health report on the health of LGBTQ+ Minnesotans. Parts of that report will be displayed throughout the new office as well as at the opening events.

What is Rainbow Health Most Excited About Achieving with this Move?

Since 2020, thanks to the pandemic, most of Rainbow Health’s staff have been working remotely. This new space will allow for comfortable and welcoming collaboration and relationship-building between Rainbow Health employees, clients, and the community as a whole.

“I am thrilled to have a better space that attracts more staff and clients to the office and fuels excitement and energy!” says Willis.

An exciting time for Rainbow Health and LGBTQ+ Minnesotans! The new location will be 701 S. 4th Ave, Suite 1500, on the 15th floor. Subscribe to Rainbow Health’s newsletter for updates on the grand opening.