Poke a head into FRCC’s Multicultural Center. A student at the front desk welcomes you with open arms. Complimentary snacks and drinks line the tables. Students are in deep discussions.
In a corner of the room, where light from open windows fills the space, Sexuality and Gender Alliance members meet around a circle of blue couches and stuffed animals.
In a world where minorities of all types often feel forgotten, Front Range’s new Multicultural Center on the Larimer campus offers a safe space where one can feel heard.
In the west end of the Longs Peak Student Center, the goal of the Multicultural Center is to create a safe and welcoming space for students who are LGBTQ+, students of color, adult learners, veterans, or anyone needing a safe place to de-stress.
Ro Contreras, former head of cultural and leadership programs, said the biggest impact has been to provide something Contreras dreamt of having when in school.
“Most students have talked about feeling safe in the space, which is a big reason why this was created,” said Contreras.
As a recent graduate of CSU, Contreras remembers being in the same spot many students are right now, where there’s many things going on in life outside of school.
“Being able to talk to people at the time and have them provide guidance for me was really important. Now, being able to provide that for someone has been really impactful for me,” said Contreras.
“I look young. I am young. I just graduated. I know the perspective of the student because I’m just getting out of that,” said Contreras.
For students hesitant on if they’re welcome at the Multicultural Center, Contreras says: “If you don’t feel like you fall into a minority group, you’re still welcome and valid. At the end of the day, we still need the allies that can come in. Be with each other and see each other.”
