Happy Pride! If we haven’t met, I’d love to introduce myself: My name is Dr. Carla Smith, and I am the new CEO of The Center. I’m excited to step forward, together, toward a brighter future for New York’s courageous LGBTQ+ community.

I first came to The Center in the 1990s as a young lesbian looking to find community. Then, as it is today, The Center was a safe space to find refuge, acceptance, and connection for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers who often feel alone. The Center continues to be that lighthouse for somany in need.

Please Donate to The Center this Pride!

Pride is an opportunity to celebrate the beauty, uniqueness, and bravery of LGBTQ+ people—and also serves as a reminder that our work is still far from over. Last year, states across the nation introduced over 400 bills to roll back LGBTQ+ equality and limit life-saving access to gender-affirming care. In the face of this adversity, The Center stands proudly as a place to cultivate joy, strength, and progress—as it always has and always will.

I am incredibly proud of everything we’ve accomplished over the past 40 years. But even so, I know that we need to do more. My vision for The Center includes meeting the significant spike in demand for our economic empowerment, mental health support, substance use recovery, case management, survivor support programs—and given my decades of experience in supporting unhoused New Yorkers, I’m committed to exploring The Center’s ability to meet the housing challenges experienced by our community. Whenever our community is in need, the support of generous donors like you ensures The Center can respond.

Our mission is as vital as ever! We can’t do it alone. Stand with us as we move forward together, and donate to The Center today!

Thank you,
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Dr. Carla Smith, CEO