Today we’d like to introduce you to Color Outside The Lines Bluffton Youth Group Ashley Trexler, Alessandra’s Mom
Hi Color Outside the Lines Bluffton Youth Group, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Color Outside the Lines: Our Story
As a mom and business owner supporting these incredible teens, I’m amazed by what Color Outside the Lines Bluffton Youth Group is becoming! After my daughter Alessandra and her friends attended a Teen Hangout at Atlanta Pride Fest, they returned inspired by the welcoming environment they experienced. When I suggested they create something similar in Bluffton, it was made clear: I’d help, but they would need to lead.
They embraced the challenge, spending weeks developing their structure and mission. A diverse founding team developed—Alessandra, Alma, Addison, Adrienne, and Oliver—from different educational backgrounds and faith traditions across our community. They recognized what was missing locally: a secular, judgment-free space where teens could explore who they are and what they might want to become.
They took ownership of everything—naming the group, creating their mascot (Qaboltipug), establishing ground rules. My role has simply been securing meeting space and facilitating conversations and gatherings.
What makes this group special is how the conversations dive so much deeper here than in other settings. Because we’re working to create a genuinely safe space, teens feel comfortable exploring topics that really matter today—conversations they might not have anywhere else. The trust they’ve built allows for honest dialogue about identity, current events, and the challenges they face.
They’ve also started engaging with the community—attending the MLK march, buying Snickers bars to thank gas station staff for all they do, attending educational seminars about community activism and social justice, and are currently supporting Addison in launching an artist vendor booth at a convention this April. There’s talk of environmental activism in the air, too. But no matter what they are up to, this group is so supportive of each other, and they are always willing to lend me a hand when I’m developing brand strategies for organizations and need a Gen Z POV!
We meet Monday afternoons for art, games, and meaningful connection. Color Outside the Lines Bluffton Youth Group is LGBTQIA+ friendly with zero tolerance for bullying. Our mission? Creating a space where everyone ages 11-17 can authentically be themselves while building friendships based on mutual respect.
Seeing these kids both create their own community and engage in new endeavors has been one of my greatest joys.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a mom helping these amazing teens start Color Outside the Lines, I’ve seen firsthand the hurdles we’ve faced. Finding a meeting time that works for everyone has been tricky – with kids coming from different schools and homeschool programs, their schedules rarely align perfectly! We settled on Monday afternoons, but it’s still a juggling act.
Transportation is another big one. Our younger members can’t drive, and Bluffton isn’t walkable for most. We’ve cobbled together parent carpools to get everyone to our space, but it’s definitely a work in progress.
Perhaps most frustrating has been the resistance we’ve encountered when trying to spread the word. Local schools and organizations have refused to let us hang flyers or share our social media posts. While it’s certainly their right not to promote or support us, it’s disheartening for our kids to watch religious youth groups freely and routinely gather on school grounds while our secular, inclusive group struggles for visibility. Despite these challenges, they’re determined to keep growing this safe, inclusive space for all teens who want it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As Color Outside the Lines, the youth group has created something beautifully simple yet surprisingly rare in our Lowcountry community: a secular, inclusive youth space where middle and high schoolers can be themselves. We have a strict framework built around inclusion and empathy, but offer freedom within—we’re a genuine community where teens can connect authentically without pressure or judgment.
We started with five, and our numbers average 5-11 weekly. Everyone has busy schedules! Our weekly Monday gatherings blend creativity, conversation, and connection. On any given week, you might find us creating henna art, playing Monopoly, discussing legislation (or Legos), exploring activism, or just hanging out. What makes these activities special isn’t their complexity but the atmosphere of curiosity and acceptance surrounding them.
What sets us apart? First, we try to be truly youth-led. While I and other parents provide adult supervision and logistical support (and yes, some encouragement to get outside of their comfort zones), the teens make the decisions about activities, topics, and group dynamics. They’ve created their own community agreements and lead by example in welcoming newcomers.
Second, we’re intentionally LGBTQIA+ friendly in a region where such spaces can be limited, especially for youth. Our goal is not to give people labels, but rather give them space to grow into the people they want to be. Everyone is welcome—whether part of the LGBTQIA+ community, an ally, or simply someone looking for a kinder, more accepting space.
Even though I can’t take the credit, I’m most proud of the genuine connections forming across different schools, ages, and backgrounds. Teens who never crossed paths are building meaningful friendships. I’ve watched quiet kids find their voice and confident kids make space for others. I’ve watched anxiety levels decrease and happiness levels increase as they deepen connections with themselves and those around them.
These tweens and teens are practicing the skills of community-building and civic engagement that will serve them throughout their lives.
Perhaps most importantly, we offer something that’s increasingly precious: some unstructured time for teens to simply be together without screens or adult pressure dominating the interaction. In a world where everyone is constantly over-scheduled and evaluated, we provide a rare space where they can breathe, connect, and remember that they always have value.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Definitely. I learned we can do hard things. I ended up homeschooling Alessandra while trying to juggle my parenting website, brand development and marketing strategy business (Brightstocking.com), and efforts to support the community during such a difficult time.
We all learned how much family and friends matter to us, even if we don’t always show it.
In hindsight, the pandemic likely played a significant role in shaping the structure of Color Outside the Lines. That period of isolation highlighted just how essential meaningful social connection is for kids’ wellbeing. When kids were cut off from their normal social structures, many struggled with feeling disconnected and alone. But on the flip side, some thrived when the endless demands on their time lessened.
This experience indirectly influenced how we approach interacting in the group today. We put connection at the center of everything we do, recognizing that simply providing a consistent, welcoming space where teens can be together is, in some cases, life-saving.
It also taught us to have greater flexibility and resilience. When starting this group, we built in adaptability from the beginning—understanding that plans change, challenges arise, and the ability to pivot is essential. We plan 4-6 sessions at a time. We work to accommodate absences, shifting numbers, and evolving needs.
Perhaps most importantly, the pandemic reminded me that community doesn’t just happen—it requires intention, effort, and care. These teens are now actively building the kind of supportive community they almost gave up on finding, which is pretty remarkable when you think about it.
Pricing:
- Free to attend
- Donations appreciated
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blufftonyouthgroup.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/blufftonyouthgroup
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/blufftonyouthgroup
