ROCKLAND — Out! As I Want To Be is celebrating a new year, a successful fundraising goal and a new drop-in space with an open house Friday, Jan. 4, from 4 to 6 p.m. The public is invited and refreshments will be served.

Ever since Lincoln Street Center for the Arts' doors closed in June, Out! As I Want To Be has been meeting with advisors, teens and young people in temporary space at Youthlinks in Rockland, while looking for a new space to gather in the evenings. Out!, an organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning young people ages 14-22 (as well as straight allies), has now secured a new drop-in space on the third floor of 328 Main St. in Rockland, Suite 305 (above FOG Bar and The Black Parrot).

Out! has another reason to celebrate. This summer the organization received a matching grant challenge from an anonymous donor, which specified through Dec. 31, all individual donations of more than $100 would be matched dollar for dollar, up to $20,000. In late December, Out! met its goal, securing the matching grant, which will start the New Year with $40,000 to better serve the LGBTQ youth. The community support will strengthen the organizational capacity and programs for LGBTQ youth, including its twice weekly drop-in and outreach in schools.

Founded in 1996, Out! provides affirmation, support, advocacy, education and outreach by and for young people in their quest for identity. Out! holds a drop-in two times a week, now at 328 Main St., Suite 305 (third floor), in Rockland on Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m., and Fridays, 6-9 p.m. One of four drop-in centers in the state, Out! is the only one that primarily serves rural LGBTQ youth.

For more information, visit outmaine.org, call 1-800-530-6997 or email outmaine@yahoo.com.

To reach Kay Stephens, email news@penbaypilot.com.