On December 31, ten community organizations that work to enrich the quality of life for LGBT people in south Florida announced that they succeeded in matching the donations provided by the community foundation Our Fund back in October 2013. Now these ten organizations have enough money to put together special events or start new programs which are geared toward the LGBT population here in south Florida.
Here’s a rundown of the organizations and what they plan to do with the money donated to them.
- Compass GLCC, based in Lake Worth, plans to use their funds to host the largest display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt the state of Florida has ever seen.
- Equality Florida, with offices statewide, seeks to begin programs focusing on gender identity through their Equality Means Business campaign. They are also going to continue advocating for the transgender population to eradicate transphobia.
- The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, based in Fort Lauderdale, will be purchasing new computer software which will help them track donors and grants.
- Gilda’s Club South Florida (this particular chapter based in Fort Lauderdale) will spend their money on a targeted advertising and awareness campaign to LGBT people on the risk factors and causes of cancer, and to make people aware of LGBT-friendly health resources.
- Latinos Salud, based in Wilton Manors, will be expanding their HIV testing efforts to try to make people aware of their HIV status, especially ones who have not been tested and are afraid to do so. The money will also go toward providing support for people who are HIV positive but cannot manage their diagnosis.
- Pride Center at Equality Park, based in Wilton Manors, will push for continued funding for an office to serve LBT women, complete with all the equipment needed for an office to run smoothly, as well as a full staff.
- Safe Schools South Florida, based in Fort Lauderdale, will use their money to continue funding their programs aimed at making the school experience safer for all.
- The Stonewall National Museum and Archives, based in Fort Lauderdale, will be using their funds to create educational materials, which they hope will foster a positive dialogue between educators, administration and students.
- SunServe, based in Wilton Manors, will fund GenderServe, a project which seeks to enhance the well-being of transgender people in south Florida.
- YES Institute, based in Miami, hopes to expand its education efforts, which will help youth rejected by their families due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. These funds will be used primarily in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
