Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center

The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center provides vital services, professional resources, and programs that unite the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning community across lines of age, race, gender, and economics in a safe and supportive environment. Our purpose is to strengthen, support, and celebrate LGBTQ individuals, families, and groups in their efforts to achieve their fullest potential. With a robust and supportive membership, strong community ties and diverse programming, the Center is the largest organization representing the regions LGBTQ community. The Center has seven employees, several consultants, and 6 committed volunteers. To date, the Center has served more than 25,500 individuals and families throughout the region. Furthermore, the Center has established strong partnerships with hundreds of organizations, schools, and government agencies across the Hudson Valley. These partnerships further enable the Centers mission to exact positive social change through advocacy, community education, cultural awareness, and wellness programs that assist in the creation, development, and growth of LGBTQ-affirming organizations, institutions, and culture within the community at large. The Center offers comprehensive information and referrals, compassionate guidance, and expert training to health, education, and human service professionals. In a typical year, the Center provides support, training, advocacy, and direct services to approximately 2,000 individuals and providers. Additional reach includes 15,000 subscribers through email blasts and social media, and 5,000 individuals engaged during annual participation in Pride. The Center facilitates numerous groups and activities that provide education, support, empowerment, advocacy, and socialization. Cultural Responsiveness Training (CRT) is a free professional development opportunity for educators, health and human service providers, schools, and government workers. This training instills culturally affirming care practices for professionals working with LGBTQ people and their families. Youth-oriented programs are crucial to the Centers mission. Additionally, the Center offers programming dedicated to aging populations. The Centers Well-Being Institute (WBI) is dedicated to providing comprehensive, holistic wellness, with no-cost short-term individual and group counselling in addition to a wide range of educational and wellness services.