The Center is here for you during this time of social distancing. We know many members of our community are feeling isolated right now, but we also know community is the antidote to isolation. And so while our building is closed, The Center is very much here to serve and connect our community during these challenging times.  

As we each face varying levels of stress and isolation, The Center is here to help. Our Information & Referral team is now staffing virtual “front desks” from their homes, with our phone lines open at 212.620.7310 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. The team has prepared COVID-19-specific referral guides for existing services and options spanning housing, food, recovery, family support, HIV testing and more. In the next week, we will launch a page on our website to share all of these crucial resources and make them more publicly accessible.

We also want you to know about all of the other Center services and support you can still access while our building is closed. Staff are equipped with the technology they need to run many of our youth, recovery, mental health and HIV groups and individual counseling sessions via phone and video conferencing, and our recovery program psychiatrist and nurse practitioner have access to systems to write prescriptions electronically for our clients. The youth program is offering virtual “office hours” to make our staff available to any young person who needs support. Staff will continue to bring as many groups online as possible, and we’ll be sure to share those details as they are available. And we have confidential, HIPAA-compliant tools to ensure we are delivering quality care. Please call our front desk for details on how you can access all of these services. 

We’re also happy to share that New York State has opened a special health insurance enrollment period. All New Yorkers can now enroll by April 15 for coverage effective as early as April 1. Call 646.556.9300 ext. 271 or email [email protected] for assistance from The Center's Patient Navigation team. 

Every day we’re thinking about how we can offer more, connect in innovative ways and ensure that the LGBTQ community has what it needs. Please continue to check our website and social media for updates. We urge all of our community members to stay safe and healthy, and please spread the word that for anyone who is looking for help and support, The Center is here. 

Glennda Testone
Executive Director