2009 has proved a brutal year for non-profits. A study done in April by John Hopkins University found that 83% of participating organizations reported fiscal stress and that 40% reported the stress as “severe” or “very severe.”  (See study) With over 12% unemployment in California the need is greater than ever for individuals who don’t have a safety net and are struggling with job loss, financial difficulties and cuts in services.

As California struggles with its economy residents will continue to see diminishing services and more individuals exposed to ensuing hardship. Those in the hardest hit areas are asking where will they turn and how will they helped. The burden will invariably fall on local communities and nonprofit social service organizations. The Center in Long Beach is one those organizations.

The Center has provided an array of health, social, advocacy and legal programs for the last 30 years. It began informally in 1977 when groups of gays and lesbians met in their living rooms to discuss relevant issues of the community. It was officially incorporated as One In Long Beach, Inc. in 1980.

Its first high profile service began 1984 when The Center created Project Ahead in response to the AIDS epidemic. It was the first case management service in south Los Angeles County that provided HIV information, testing and counseling as well as other support services. In 1985 The Center purchased 7,500 square-foot building that had originally been a bank. Located at 4th and Cherry the building was renovated and opened a year later.

Recently it served as the headquarters for the No On 8 Campaign for all of Long Beach and Orange County and started Long Beach’s first queer film festival this year.

The Center has been hit hard with 40% of its funding cut and uncertainty about how future revenue will be replaced. To deal with the financial challenges The Center has cut hours, had layoffs and furloughed employees. However, throughout these difficulties, it has continued services such as its Youth Empowerment and educational outreach programs and also expanded others.

Last month The Center reopened its HIV/AIDS testing program and moved forward with the hiring of 10 new counselors for its mental health program. Though its focus is primarily the LGBTQ community its services are open to anyone in need.

Much of this perseverance is a testament to its dedicated staff and their passionate belief in the value of their work. Even on their furloughed days they have kept The Center open to various support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Gay Men Over 40 who meet on a weekly basis.

“The tangible benefit of the services The Center provides are obvious but it also has great symbolic value,” says Andrea Reynolds a straight ally and gay activist.  ”That Long Beach has its own LGBTQ community center is a testament to the presence and strength of the LGBTQ community” (There is only one LGBTQ center that serves all of Orange County and another for the larger Los Angeles area).

Phyllis Schmidt, The Center’s interim Executive Director, expands on its growing importance, “The need for The Center as a resource and life-line to the community will only increase. We are managing and actively cultivating new sources of revenue but it will take time and additional support of the community. Working together I have no doubt we’ll come out of this difficult time stronger than ever.”

 The Center is actively fund raising and will be hosting its annual State of the Center breakfast on November 14^th which is open to the public. Future events also include bingo night at Hamburger Mary’s on November 11^th and The Center bike ride as well as Date Nite at the Art Theatre early next year.

The Center is open from 9AM-9PM Monday through Friday. If you need services or want to get involved with call 562-434-4455. Services are open to all members of the community regardless of sexual orientation. You can also make a donation and learn more about The Center by visiting its website at www.CenterLB.org

About the Author

Ján Montoya

More articles by Ján Montoya

Long Beach native Ján Montoya has been involved with social justice and activism since 1991 when he began volunteering for the Legal Aid Fo