Dallas — More than just concrete and glass, Resource Center is breaking ground April 23 (Thursday) on a new community center serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community of North Texas. The Center is one of the largest LGBT community centers in the United States. The two-story, 20,000 square feet building will house the continuum of care LGBT programming from youth (Youth First) to seniors (Gray Pride), a mental health counseling partnership with Southern Methodist University, community meeting rooms and administrative offices.
“Our new home would not be possible without the strong and consistent support the Center has received from across Dallas and beyond, and from both the LGBT community and our allies. They recognize our impact as a trusted leader and are eager to help us grow,“ said Cece Cox, J.D., chief executive officer of the Center.
Cox added, “The new building will allow us to add capacity and provide a safe, affirming place for even more LGBT youth, seniors and families, add meeting space for the over 40 organizations that use Center facilities on a regular basis and consolidate locations. This is an exciting time for Resource Center, and our supporters!”
Invited guests to the groundbreaking include: Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and the Dallas City Council, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins and the Dallas County Commissioners Court, local religious leaders and major donors. Also participating will be people who have benefitted from the programs and services that the Center has provided over the past three decades.
Claudia Hazaga, whose grandson attends the Youth First program, is among the participants in the groundbreaking. She says, “The Center is a welcoming and positive place, gives us the opportunity to feel comfortable with who we are and supports us on our journey. I’m honored to be taking part in this event.”
After completion of the new facility, the Center’s existing building at 2701 Reagan St. will be renovated starting in early 2016. The location will serve as a central site for people living with HIV/AIDS to receive services such as case management, insurance assistance, a weekday hot meals program and a food pantry. The Center has owned the Reagan St. location since 1990. It will also continue to operate the Nelson-Tebedo Clinic, which provides HIV testing as well as dental care to people living with HIV/AIDS, at its current location of 4012 Cedar Springs Rd.
The new Center was designed by architect James Langford. Highland Builders is the general contractor on the project. Construction on the new building is expected to wrap up later this year or in early 2016. To date, the Center has raised $6.2 million of the $8.7 million to construct the new building, renovate the existing location and provide operational and program support. For more information on how to contribute to the Center’s capital campaign, go to www.myresourcecenter.org.
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Resource Center is a trusted leader that empowers the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities and all people affected by HIV through improving health and wellness, strengthening families and communities and providing transformative education and advocacy.
