The mission of LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. is to promote and empower the LGBT+ community and its allies through advocacy, education, information, and support.
“In times of uncertainty, our community rallies and supports one another. The Journey Forward is a testament to The Center’s impact in the community and the need to fund our free crucial, lifesaving programs.
Under the current administrations, both in Tallahassee and Washington, our very existence is on the line.”
—Dr. George A. Wallace, CEO
Since 1978, The Center has provided the services
Central Florida’s LGBT+ community needs.
What began as a safe space to gather has become the only community center in Central
Florida offering comprehensive HIV services, mental health counseling, victim service case
management, peer-led addiction recovery, support groups, a food pantry, and housing
stability case management. We take pride in being:
ROOTED
Founded in 1978 and serving our community for forty-five years,
we will be here for decades to come.
INCLUSIVE
The Center serves everyone—youth, seniors, people of all sexual orientations and people
who identify across the gender spectrum, along with their allies.
COMPREHENSIVE
From testing to career planning, we provide a wide range of effective services.
NIMBLE
As our community’s needs have changed, so have we. From the food pantry we
opened during the pandemic to the addition of Orlando United Resiliency Services
(OURS) in 2021 to provide specialized care and services for those impacted by
trauma, we believe that seeing a need means stepping up to fill it.
2024 IN REVIEW
“From counseling to the food pantry, HIV/STI testing, mobile services, support groups, andprograms like OWL, designed specifically to serve Central Florida’s LGBT+ 55 and oldercommunity, The Center’s impact is mighty.” —Jerry Warner, board of directors
Becoming The Center Our Community Needs
The Center’s origin story and evolution are unlike those of
other community centers. You might say we are in—and have
always been in—a constant state of becoming.
Every step along the way, we were becoming the organization we are
now, just as we are in the process of becoming the organization our
community needs tomorrow.
The Center’s Journey Forward Pillars
Mental Health Counseling
According to The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey, 50% of LGBTQ+ young people who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it.
Transgender Programming
Over 1.6 million adults (ages 18 and older) and youth (ages 13-17) identify as transgender in the United States and the trans community and DEI are under attack. Central Florida’s transgender and gender non-conforming population are in need of additional affirming services now more than ever.
Outreach Services
Florida continues to rank in the top 5 for new HIV infections. It’s imperative that we continue our testing and mobile outreach program so we can meet people in rural areas as well as increase services to those most marginalized.
Food Insecurity/Pride Pantry Initiatives
The Pride Pantry, which served 70 individuals and families a month when it opened, now serves over 300+ individuals and families per month.
“The Center is and has been a champion for inclusivity—for everyone in the community. That’s integral to building a better world.” —Jimmy Drew, board of directors
Despite our successes, we must do more. The need for programs
and services that promote, empower, and support our LGBT+
community has never been more urgent.
Over 1,000 people move to the Orlando area every week, one in 20 of whom identify as LGBT+, and we are still operating out of the headquarters we purchased in 1999.
The demand for mental health counseling has increased. Waitlists for counseling are
two to three months long.
Food insecurity is rocking our community. The Pride Pantry, which served 70 individuals
and families a month when it opened, now serves over 300 individuals and families per
month.
Traffic and transportation are increasingly keeping people from accessing our services. Increasing our Mobile Outreach program is a priority so we can meet people in
rural areas as well as increase services to those most marginalized.
The trans community is under attack. Central Florida’s transgender and gender non-conforming population are in need of additional affirming services now more than ever.
We have the heart, we have the people, and we have the know-how to step up to
the plate and become more of a solution to the challenges facing our community.
We are proud to launch The Center’s Journey Forward. Through this capital campaign, you can
partner with us to make strategic investments in our headquarters, our programs, and our
foundation so that The Center can serve more people and serve them better today, tomorrow, and
long into the future.
“The services provided by The Center are more critical today than they have been at anypoint in time since the AIDS crisis.” —Mark Cady-Archilla, former board of directors
Life-Saving Services and Life-Affirming Visibility
“The Center saved my life not once, but twice.”
– John
“The Center saved my life not once, but twice,” says John*, a lifelong activist and
corporate fundraising professional in Orlando. “The first time was when I was a
recovering addict. The Center was a safe place where I could go to meetings and get
help,” he explains. The second time John was serving on The Center Board of Directors.
He wanted to show the rest of the board just how quick and easy The Center made it get
an HIV test. “And I popped positive,” says John. “Had The Center not been there, there is
a strong possibility I would be dead.”
Fast forward to today. John’s been undetectable for twelve and a half years. He’s been
married for over a decade. He’s the father to two stepchildren. He owns a successful firm
in the philanthropic sector. He continues to serve as an activist for Orlando’s LGBT+
community. And he is excited about the opportunities The Center’s Journey Forward will
make possible for The Center—not just from the standpoint of expanding and improving
key services. “The visibility The Center provides to the LGBT+ community and our allies in
today’s climate is just as critical,” says John.
“This is an opportunity to let people know that we see them and that they matter. This
campaign will ensure our growing community, including their families, knows where to go
when they need a safe space and a trusted source of information, and it will ensure The
Center can get them the counseling, information, and services they need.”
*For the sake of privacy, our client’s name has been changed.
Recognizing Those Who Support Us With The Center’s Journey Forward Donor Wall
The Center’s Journey Forward Donor Wall will be made up of custom tiles to create the image used for The Center’s Journey Forward Major Gifts Initiative. This piece will be on prominent display at The Center Orlando located on Mills Avenue in the Grand Room Event Space.
Copper: $1-$99 – Be included on our Copper Level Donor plaque
Nickel: $100-$499 – Be included on our Nickel Level Donor plaque
Bronze: $500-$999 – Receive a customized 4×6 inch plaque on our Donor Wall
Silver: $1,000-$4,999 – Receive a customized 4×6 inch plaque on our Donor Wall
Gold: $5,000-$9,999 – Receive a customized 4×6 inch plaque on our Donor Wall
Platinum: $10,000-$24,999 – Receive a customized 4×6 inch plaque on our Donor Wall
Diamond: $25,000 and more – Receive a customized 8×12 inch plaque on our Donor Wall
You will be the spark that ignites community change. You will make sure our community feels seen and heard. You will make Central Florida a better place for everyone to live.
According to The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey, 50% of LGBTQ+ young people who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it.
Transgender Programming
Over 1.6 million adults (ages 18 and older) and youth (ages 13-17) identify as transgender in the United States and the trans community and DEI are under attack. Central Florida’s transgender and gender non-conforming population are in need of additional affirming services now more than ever.
Outreach Services
Florida continues to rank in the top 5 for new HIV infections. It’s imperative that we continue our testing and mobile outreach program so we can meet people in rural areas as well as increase services to those most marginalized.
Food Insecurity/Pride Pantry Initiatives
The Pride Pantry, which served 70 individuals and families a month when it opened, now serves over 300+ individuals and families per month.
General Information
I hereby enter into this contract with LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. for the use of and have fully read and understood all rules and regulations governing the use of the facility.
I understand that the rental fee is per hour and agree to pay all fees prior to space usage.
I understand that LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. does not offer refunds.
I understand that I will be held financially responsible for any damage made to the facilities, appliances, furniture, or equipment.
I understand that I will be held responsible for the behavior of the group organization’s membership and its guests.
I understand that LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. may cancel the use of the facility if I or any persons in my group/organization do not comply with the user agreement and the guidelines.