Our History
In July 2005, the organizers of the first New Paltz Pride March and Festival, used their vision of a better community to become the founders of the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center. At that moment, a dedicated team of volunteers began the work of building a community center. On February 3, 2007, we opened the doors of the Community Center at 300 Wall Street in Kingston. And we have continued to grow ever since.
Our Progress Over the Last Year
The last half of 2009 and the first half of 2010 has been an outstanding year here at the LGBTQ Community Center. Although many nonprofits have been forced to cut back, our programs and services continue to grow. Our staff and board have been busy securing major grants from the New York State Department of Health, the Dyson Foundation, SAGE, and the David Bohnett Foundation. A key factor in securing these grants is the proven support of our almost 1500 members.
These grants, and your contributions, support an impressive range of initiatives:
Working it Out Working It OUT is our school-based programs for LGBTQ teens and their allies. We have worked with students at both Kingston and Wallkill High Schools. |
The Safe Schools Roundtable at the CenterThis program brings together representatives of GLSEN, the Ulster and Dutchess County Youth Bureaus, area school officials, youth-serving organizations and parents to make schools safe for all youth.
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Civic Engagement Project
We are using this grant from SAGE -- training for SAGE members to become effective advocates in promoting state and local policy reforms. |
HIV testing and STI CounselingThe Center in partnership with Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley holds a sexual health clinic the third Thursday of each month. |
Cultural Competence TrainingIn the past 18 months, our team has trained more than 700 health and human services providers in the tri-county area about the needs of LGBTQ members of the community they serve. These providers include home health aides, social workers, educators, probation officers, shelter care workers, MDs and hospital personnel. |
Health Care Providers Directory
Our members have referred, and we have verified, over 50 LGBTQ-affirming health services providers in the local area. |
David Bohnett CyberCenter
Next month, our doors will be open during day and evening hours as we launch our CyberCenter—equipped with 6 state-of-the-art computer stations and free wireless internet. |
Other Center ProgramsOur array of weekly and monthly programs continues to grow. Just recently a chapter of Spirit and Faith for Everyone (SAFE) started here, and the Mid-Hudson Valley Transgender Association (MHVTA) are holding their summer meetings at the Center. Check out our events calendar. There is something here for almost everyone. |
None of this would be possible without the generous support of our members. In that spirit, founding Center Board member Ted Hayes has issued a friendly challenge. In memory of his partner Jack Waite, Ted will match your membership pledge with a donation to the Center—doubling your ability to make a difference. So don't wait. Now is the time to join, renew or extend your membership, in tangible support of our mission and our future. Thank you, from all of us, for supporting the Center!