Highlights from the past year at the The Center, Long Beach’s LGBTQ community center, are highlighted in its first all-digital State of the Center, presented on its website.
“We realized we were missing an opportunity to engage a significant portion of our community, so we decided to take our event online,” said Executive Director Porter Gilberg in a statement. “With our Digital State of The Center, people can meet our staff and witness our programs in action. We’re incredibly proud to offer a look into how we serve our diverse communities each and every day.”
2014 was a big year for the Center, said Gilberg and President Ron Sylvester in the six-minute-long video detailing successes at the Center.
In total, the Center served more than 25,000 people throughout its programs and services in 2014, and received more than 10,000 telephone calls and walk-in clients. The Center also gave more than 1,600 free rapid HIV tests and distributing more than 12,000 condoms.
The Center’s mental health program alone had 12 therapists helping more than 400 clients, Gilberg said in the video, and is looking forward to increasing its mental health staff this year. He said he expects the volunteer team to grow to more than 350 people this year, and interested volunteers can apply on the Center’s website.
The Center is looking forward to helping even more people in 2015, Gilberg said, through funds raised last year. The Center mortgage went down 39% in 2014, Sylvester said, and the year-end profit was $100,000.
“We’re thrilled that we continue to stand on strong, secure financial ground,” he said.
Gilberg added that the money will be used to expand the Center.
“With this profit, we’ll be able to complete critical updates to our center to increase space in order to expand our youth services, counseling program, and welcome several new staff members in the months ahead,” Gilberg said in the video.
The Center also provided an outlet for LGBTQ youth through its Mentoring Youth Through Empowerment after-school program, which more than 75 youth visited each month, and its annual Monster Ball, which brought in 150 kids from more than 20 area high schools.
Other notable achievements included the Q Films festival raising more than $15,000 for the center; and more than 100 riders participating in the second annual Long Beach AIDS Ride and raising more than $25,000 for HIV and AIDS services at the Center.
“We are so incredibly proud of our accomplishments over the last year,” Gilberg told the Long Beach Post. “Every year we see more and more people walking through our doors to participate in our programs and utilize our services. I couldn’t be more proud of our staff, board and volunteers who keep us open each and every day. 2014 was a monumental year for the Center. Our staff continues to grow right along with our programs and 2015 won’t be any different.”
Gilberg and Sylvester ended the address by noting the importance of the support of the community.
“As part of our center family, we hope you will consider making an investment in your Center today,” Gilberg said. “Your gift in any amount will ensure the health, wellness and safety of our LGBTQ community and our center.”
To donate to the Center, click here.